My Story
Bush Essentials began with the wisdom I inherited from my grandparents. I'm Luane Williams, born and raised in rural Jamaica, where I still live and work today.
My journey with herbal medicine started at the feet of my grandmother Dotty. I watched in awe as she gathered plants from our hillsides, creating remedies that healed our community. "Grandma Dotty could look at someone and know exactly which plant their body needed," I often tell people. Though she's no longer with us, her knowledge lives on through my hands.
My grandfather Sarge, now 101 years old, remains my greatest teacher. Even at his age, he can identify every medicinal plant by touch and smell alone. He still advises me on the traditional moon phase harvesting calendars we follow.
These plants haven't just been my heritage—they've been my healing. For years, I struggled with asthma that limited my life. These same herbs that Grandma Dotty introduced me to gradually strengthened my respiratory system until my asthma symptoms disappeared completely. Later, after years of consuming processed foods and adopting modern eating habits, I developed PCOS. Rather than accepting this as permanent, I returned to my roots—growing, harvesting, and consuming the medicinal plants that surrounded me. Day by day, I've watched my body heal naturally as I manage and now actively reverse my PCOS symptoms.
I created Bush Essentials because I believe everyone should have access to Jamaica's authentic herbal traditions. The plants growing around my home have supported wellness for centuries, and I prepare each blend with the same care my grandparents taught me.
When you adopt a plant through Bush Essentials, you're not just receiving tea—you're connecting with the same genuine Jamaican bush medicine that transformed my health. As Grandpa Sarge reminds me, "These plants know what we need before we do." I'm honored to be the caretaker of this knowledge, sharing my heritage with those seeking natural wellness beyond our island shores.