Yuh ever see a vine full of bright pink flowers climbing up a fence like it own di place? Dat’s rice and peas bush right deh so. Pretty to look at, but don’t get it twisted—dis bush is pure medicine in disguise. Known across Jamaica as bees bush, cold bush, or even coral vine, it’s been used for generations to cool di body, clear up colds, and help wid sugar and pressure too.

Let mi walk yuh through how Jamaicans use dis powerful vine—and why yuh might want a handful hanging in your yard too.

What Is Rice and Peas Bush?

Rice and peas bush is a fast-growing vine wid heart-shaped leaves and sweet lil’ pink flowers. It attract bees like syrup, which is why plenty people call it bees bush.

Yuh find it in people’s yards, wrapped round trees, fences, and even abandoned buildings. It grow wild and strong, like it know it belong.

Some people seh:

“If bees start crowd di rice and peas bush, rain soon come.”

Whether yuh believe di old-time sayings or not, one ting is sure—dis bush deh full of power.

What Jamaicans Use It For

Dis vine not just nice fi look at—it’s one of di realest bush medicines we have. In Jamaica, people dry di leaves and vines and use dem to make a healing tea.

Here’s what it’s used for:

• Colds and flu

• Fevers and inflammation

• High blood pressure

• Balancing blood sugar

• Clearing mucus and congestion

Mi know an elder in Clarendon who call it “poor man penicillin.” She drink it every morning wid her tea and seh she haven’t catch flu in five years straight.

How to Make Di Tea

Making rice and peas bush tea easy, mi tell yuh. No need fi fancy tools—just good clean bush and boiling water.

Here’s how yuh do it:

1. Pick di vine and leaves (fresh or dry both work)

2. Wash and set to dry in a shady spot

3. Boil water and drop in about a tablespoon of bush

4. Let it steep 10 to 15 minutes

5. Strain, and sip it warm

Di taste soft and earthy, not bitter like cerasee or strong like fever grass. It feel calm on di belly, and help clear yuh chest when di flu trying to creep in.

A Quick Word About Its Roots

Dis bush love fi spread. Mi nah lie—it can take over a yard if yuh turn yuh back on it. Mi know people who plant it fi medicine and next ting, it reach di front gate like it paying rent.

So if yuh growing it:

• Keep it in a container or bucket

• Trim it before rainy season

• Pull it out by di roots if yuh done wid it

Just like any strong bush—it need respect and boundaries.

A Story from Di Yard

Mi once meet a Rasta bredda up in St. Mary who keep a line of rice and peas bush tied up neat behind his house. Every time flu season start, he’d go pick a few vines and tell mi, “One cup a day keep Babylon doctor away.”

And trust mi, dat man never did sniffle once—not even during rainy season when everybody else coughing down di place.

Watch How It’s Done

Want to see rice and peas bush in action? Check out this video from someone right here in Jamaica showing how to pick it and boil it properly:

Watch: Jamaica’s Prized Medicinal Herb for Colds & the Flu

From Fence to Teacup

Whether yuh call it coral vine, bees bush, or rice and peas bush, one ting is sure: this plant is more than just a backyard ornament. It’s been cooling bodies, fighting flu, and calming pressure from long time.

So next time yuh pass a fence covered in pink blossoms, stop and look again. Nature might be offering yuh a cure, right deh so—Jamaican style.

Final Word

Rice and peas bush may look like just another pretty flower vine, but it’s a proper part of Jamaica’s herbal tradition. It’s been used to help heal di body, calm di system, and keep people well from long time.

Add it to yuh bush medicine list—you never know when you’ll need it.

Bless Up!