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My thanks to those who have helped produce this 11th issue: Vic Cherikoff Mum Jan Tilden John Wrench and, of course, the advertisers and contributors.
From the Editor My grandfather used to say Grace before each meal. He thanked the soil and the rains and his creator for the fruits and seeds and animals which lay on our table. It would perhaps behove us all to give thought to these things - and offer up some small thanks to the earth which defies our best efforts by continuing to supply us with, not just sustenance, but great and pleasurable foods. If you are enjoying some of the native foods of this land, you might also give acknowledgment to those people who walked this land and ate these foods long before us. Which brings me to the letter from Dee Murphy of the Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation (Page 3). She says `there are huge ethical problems not being dealt with at present' and this is true. She asks if the concept of Reconciliation Gardens will not just be another feel good gesture to evade the larger questions and I must agree that tokenism is the simplest remedy to a difficult problem. I'm not sure there's a simple answer to these issues - however, I am thrilled that she has opened this conversation because I, as a `white fella' have not felt I could make either comment or suggestion until the Aboriginal people had set the stage. I put forward the concept of Reconciliation Gardens because I felt that a bridge was needed, wobbly or makeshift as it might be. I will wait to see if the Aboriginal people embrace it. Without them, it simply won't work. Dee has proposed a forum in which Aboriginal people feel free to speak their mind. I hope fervently that she can be instrumental in bringing it about. I've booked my seat at this gathering and look forward to black and white, sun-tanned and city-pale people sitting shoulder to shoulder with a common hope. Let us eat together. Oops and An Apology On Page 31 of Iss. 10 there's a note that the seed of Solanum centrale are toxic. Take heart. There are a number of Solanum which have seeds (and flesh) which you should avoid but this is not one of them. And very sincere apologies to Horst Weber and Brian Walters for the use of their photos in Issue 10 without either permission or acknowledgement. Those used: Eremophila debilis (p9), Billardiera scandens (p13) and Santalum acuminatum (p31). Not one oversight but three! LettersDear Sammy, Congratulations on a well-organised Bushfood Conference at Griffith University (21/8/99) with excellent presentations by the guest speakers. For the benefit of your readers who sampled the rainforest drink and for those who are interested in its constituents: four kilograms of fruit were used in preparation of the 16 litres consumed at the Conference. The ingredients comprised fourteen different fruits and three species of leaf as follows: Citrus australis: Native round lime Citrus glauca: Desert lime Davidsonia pruriens pruriens: Davidson plum (Northern) Diploglottis diphyllostegia: Native "tamarind" Elaeocarpus grandis: Cooloon Kunzia pomifera: Muntries Pleiogynium timorense: Burdekin Plum Podocarpus elatus: Brown Pine or Plum Pine Rubus probus: Atherton Rasberry Sambucus australasica: Native Elderberry Syzygium alliiligneum: Onionwood Syzygium australe: Scrub Cherry Syzygium fibrosum: Fibrous Satinash Syzygium luehmannii: Riberry Leaves: Backhousia anisata: Anise myrtle Backhousia citriodora: Lemon myrtle Backhousia myrtifolia: Carrol This may inspire some of your readers to experiment themselves with delectable results. One other point of academic interest, Citrus garrawayi is the latest spelling advised by Queensland Herbarium (previously garrawayae). (This has been researched by Mr. Boland who found that it was named after Mr. Garraway, hence the Latin ending in i.). This fruit would have been used, as would various others, if available at the time of preparation. Best wishes, Jim Hansen Hello Sammy As a bunya enthusiast from way back, I wanted to contact you to encourage you with your work on this greatly underexploited nut. This year I got my first crop of bunya cones (3) from a tree I had grown from seed and planted myself - the tree was about 20 years old. Although bunyas are reputedly of slow growth and fruiting, I suspect this could be greatly changed by treating them as orchard trees (applied nutrition, watering, etc). I have actually done quite a lot of research work on bunya. Our WANATCA Yearbook for 1991 has quite a long article on bunya which I wrote, and around the same time I also made a video on the bunya. I will be glad to send you copies of these if you are interested. Best regards, David Noel Dear Editor, RE: Aboriginal Involvement in the Bushfoods Industry As I have been researching native plant foods for more than twenty years (see profile, Page 7), I have watched with great interest the infant years of the `bush tucker industry'. While a student in the 1980's, I remember writing an assignment in an economic botany course concerning the marketing of Australian plant products. My research indicated that promotion of a new product was best directed at an exclusive boutique clientele. It is timely to note that this is what has happened, with phrases such as `Australian bush food cuisine' being coined. However, at that time, I did not realise how this would affect Aboriginal people, further disenfranchising them. After working with Aboriginal people for more than 10 years, I have learnt much more about the ethics involved. I have attended several workshops on bush foods with Aboriginal people, who have felt very marginalised by lack of acknowledgement in the industry, and throwaway lines such as `the knowledge has been lost by Aboriginal people', and `the kids don't want to learn anyway.' In these situations, Aboriginal people usually walk away rather than fight (the organisation responsible for this comment subsequently apologised after we walked out and complained, so we will not name them). We read with sadness the preliminary results of your recent survey (Bushfoods issue 10:6), where facilitating Aboriginal involvement was last on the list of priorities. It is so easy to put this issue in the `too-hard' basket, as most people don't know where to start. There are huge ethical problems not being dealt with at present. We were pleased to see the suggestion of Reconciliation Gardens, but there are dangers here also. Are Aboriginal people going to be pressured into sharing knowledge without payment? Non-Aboriginal people want to make a gesture, but they want it on their terms, in ways that will benefit themselves, and make them feel good. Is this enough? Will the topics of royalties and appropriation of traditional knowledge and resources always be too difficult to deal with? Will the process of reconciliation just be a rubber stamp? We have many suggestions of how to proceed from here, and it may be the right time to convene a workshop to discuss how to facilitate Aboriginal involvement in the bushfoods industry. Some examples follow: Acknowledgement: We always give thanks to the Lumbaingirr Elders at the start of every tour, for their permission to use their traditional land and share their knowledge. Signage may also be used for acknowledgement. Royalties: Perhaps a fund could be established where a small percentage of income from the bushfoods industry was set aside to employ and involve Aboriginal people. Resources: Wild harvesting must be limited, particularly if it is reducing the availability of foods for local Aboriginal people. Sensitive plantation methods also need to be developed, so that monocultures do not create pest and disease problems. Workshops: The concerns of Aboriginal people need to be given a forum where they feel safe to speak. We suggest that Yarrawarra Aboriginal Corporation may be a good location to start with, as we have conference facilities and accommodation, as well as guided tours on our Bush Tucker Track, nursery and plantation. We have a lot of experience in these areas, because nearly every day we deal with these issues with visitors to Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre. People come, for example, wanting to give something (a plant, an event, etc) an Aboriginal name, to give it authenticity. However, the local Elders have set a rule that we cannot give out Gumbaingirr names to people who are going to make a profit from the use of that knowledge without giving anything back to the local Aboriginal community. I would like to start people thinking about ways that Aboriginal involvement in the bushfoods industry can be facilitated. Perhaps the Reconciliation Gardens can be a focus for discussion. Please contact us, or visit us at Yarrawana, and see what we can do. Yours sincerely, Dee Murphy |
Index 11From the EditorLettersNewsQueensland Bushfood AssociationA word on Buying SeedYarrawarra Aboriginal CorpWhat's fruiting?Native Herb Forum 1.Ethnoecological Research.Illawarra plum.Methods of Growing BushtuckerBushfoods and Farm ForestryBushfood Artist.Backhousia citriodora.FEATURE: Davidson Plum.Principles of Oil Extraction. JQueensland Conference.Solanum centrale association.Somewhat Useful Pages.The Value Adders: Greg Trevena and Fudge A'fareBook Review.Red Ochre GrillFamous Palates |
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Possum Creek Bushfoods For Sale Dried Lemon myrtle leaf 50kgs available 601 Friday Hut Rd Possum Creek, Bangalow NSW 2479 Ph: 02 6687 1975 |
Yarrawarra Aboriginal CorporationDee Murphy
My name is Dee Murphy, and I am a white woman who is a botanist and archaeologist. Yarrawarra has employed me as a project officer since 1993. Yarrawarra was established in 1987 to promote Aboriginal culture, education and enterprise. My first project was to design a bush tucker track through the local cultural landscape. The Corindi Beach Reserve, homeland to the local Gumbaingirr people, contains more than 250 plant species, and about half of these have traditional uses. Some trees also have detailed individual stories, such as scars for toe-holes or bark hut making. It is essential to consult with local Elders about stories and places that can be used to teach visitors. The track was designed to highlight the cultural landscape, winding through woodland, wetlands, heath and beach environments. Track making is still expanding, and several kilometres of walks are now available to the public. I have continued to gather and interpret information, and plan and implement projects for the local Aboriginal community My obsession with `bush tucker' started after I became lost in the bush as a teenager. I kept thinking that there was probably heaps of things all around me that I could have used to survive, which would have helped me to overcome the intense panic I experienced. Now in my forties, I have devoted a lot of effort to leaning all I can about people-plant interactions in Australia, and could probably survive in the wilds of north-eastern NSW (please don't lose me in the desert!) My interests are wider than just foods, and include all uses of Australian plants (such as medicines and basketry). I have a BA. and Master of Letters in archaeology and botany. I have co-authored a book published by NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service with an Ainewan woman, Cheryl Ahoy, titled `A preliminary investigation of Aboriginal values in the north east forests, NSW.' In this book we touched on the issues of bush food commercialisation, royalties, wild harvesting, employment and education (Ahoy and Murphy 1994). I am privileged to work at Yarrawarra, as no two days are ever the same. It could be consulting, planning, training or implementing:
Our most recent project is construction of the Nuralamee Accommodation Centre, which will soon provide accommodation on-site for more than 70 visitors. We invite you to come and see for yourselves. and cordially invite you to our Nuralamee Reconciliation Open Day, on 29th September 1999. See you here! |
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What's Fruiting - or simply ready to eat: Acacia aulacocarpa, Hickory wattle, Jun-Nov Acacia colei, Wattle, September Acacia cowleana, Wattle, September Acacia dictyophleba, Wattle, Yr round Acacia hemignosta, Wattle, September Acacia holosericea, Wattle, Sep-Nov Acacia papyrocarpa, Western myall, Dec-Feb, Jul-Sep Acmena ingens, Red apple, May-Sep Acmena smithii, Lilly pilly, Apr-Aug Acronychia spp, Lemon, Coast or comment aspen - Aug-Dec Alpinea caerulea, Native ginger, Aug-Oct Apium prostratum, Sea celery, Yr round Atherosperma moschatum, Southern sassafras, Yr round Backhousia spp, Lemon, Curry and Cinnamon myrtle, Yr round Brachychiton acerifolius, Flame tree, Feb-Aug Capparis mitchellii, Wild orange, mpultjati, Sept-Jan Carissa ovata/lanceolata, Konkerberry, Yr round Carpobrotus modestus, Inland pigface, Yr round Carpobrotus rossii, Coastal pigface, Yr round Citrus australis, Wild Lime/Native orange/Round lime, Aug-Nov Citrus glauca, Wild lime, Desert lemon, Spring/summer Correa alba, Cape Bareen tea, Yr round Corymbia citriodora, Lemon scented gum, Yr round Dioscorea transversa, Native yam, Yr round Discorea transversa, Yam, Yr Round Enchylaena tomentosa, Saltbush, Sep-Mar Exocarpus cupressiformis, Native cherry, Sep-Feb Hibiscus diversifolius, Native hibiscus, Yr Round Mentha australis, River mint, Yr round Microceris lanceolata, Murnong, Native yam, Spring Ocimum tenuiflorum, Wild thyme, Yr round Pilidiostigma rhytispermum, Small leafed plum myrtle, Mar-Nov Planchonella australis, Black apple, Sep-Oct Pleiogynium timorense, Burdekin plum, Aut-Spring Portulaca spp, Pigweed, Munyeroo, Portulaca, Pig face, Yr round Prostanthera incisa, Cut leaf mint, Native mint, Yr round Prostanthera rotundifolia, Native mint, Mint bush, Yr round Psychotria loniceroides, Psychotria, Mar-Jul Santalum acuminatum, Sweet quandong, Sep-Oct Santalum spicatum, , Sep-Dec Solanum centrale, Akudjura (bush tomato, desert raisin), Jul-Aug Syzygium oleosum, Blue lilly pilly, Win-Spring Tetragonia tetragonoides, Warrigal greens, Yr round Viola hederacea, Native violet, Yr Round | |
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Andrew Pengelly `Stanley' Golden Hwy. Merriwa NSW 2329. Ph/fax 02 65485189
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Welcome to the Native Herb Forum and the first edition of the "Update" for 1999. For newcomers to the NHF, our aims and objectives are listed at the end of this newsletter, along with a reference book list that appeared in the previous edition. Any additions to the list are welcome. The NHF is back online again with a new website address: www.nhaa.org.au/forum/index.html. Antifungal compound in Tasmannia (mountain pepper). Researchers at the University of California recently conducted in vitro investigations into the antifungal activity of polygodial, a sesquiterpene aldehyde responsible for the spicy flavour of our mountain pepper bush leaves and fruit (Tasmannia spp.). Polygodial was originally isolated from Polygonum hydropiper, an introduced weed found along creeks and rivers and known locally as `smartweed'. It is also found in the New Zealand pepper tree Pseudowintera colorata - in the same family (Winteraceae) as Tasmannia. The New Zealand species has previously been investigated for its antifungal activity and is an ingredient in the proprietory cream known as `Kolorex'. In the present study polygodial showed strong fungicidal activity against Candida albicans, C. utilis and C. krusei as well as two other yeast-like species - Cryptococcus neoformans and Saccharomyces cervisiae. Three strains of the dermatophyte fungi Trichophyton spp., responsible for tinea and ringworm, were also highly susceptible to polygodial. Other species tested however were not susceptible. Pharmacokinetic studies based on growing and non-growing Candida albicans revealed polygodial's fungicidal activity was more rapid than that of amphoteric B - a standard antifungal, and unlike amphoterin B polygodial showed no haemolytic effects on sheep blood. The authors conclude polygodial may have potential as an antifungal agent, given its' potency and relatively wide spectrum against pathogens, non-haemolytic activity and unique mode of action. This research gives support to the use of Tasmannia as an antifungal agent against local fungal infections such as thrush, ringworm and tinea, as well as for internal Candidiasis - though the latter is more speculative given these studies are in vitro. Scaevola spinescens - Prickly fanflower Scaevola spinescens is a common shrub of inland Australia, distinguished by its dwarf spinescent branchlets and yellowish-white one-sided flowers borne on short slender stalks in the leaf axils. The fanflower is a traditional Aboriginal medicine, root decoctions having been used for stomach ache and urinary problems, while decoction of broken stems are purported to cure skin rashes, boils and sores. It has attracted attention in recent years as a potential cancer remedy, and for many years the Western Australian government made an extract of the plant available to terminally ill cancer patients. Despite some apparently positive results the scheme was stopped. Meanwhile the herb has been subjected to chemical studies and screened for antiviral activity. The main active constituents appear to be a group of triterpenoids including betulin, lupeol, xanthyletin, squalene, taraxerol and lupeol acetate. Preliminary investigations suggest these constituents have antiviral, immunostimulant, anti gastric-secretory and possible antitumor activity. There are a number of ethical issues surrounding this plant, and until and unless they are resolved we could not recommend further scientific or clinical investigations. I refer to the need to respect the knowledge of traditional healers and their Intellectual Property Rights as well as the potential for endangering the species existence by wholesale harvest in hope of producing the elusive "cure" for cancer. Many thanks go to Petra Henninger for providing most of this information Native Herb Forum - Objectives 1. To positively influence the clinical use of Australian indigenous herbs. 2. To ensure ongoing supplies by exploring the potential of native herbs for cultivation Andrew Pengelly `Stanley' Golden Hwy. Merriwa NSW 2329. Ph/fax 02 65485189. |