Meaning
The kola nut, grated and steeped in water as a traditional folk remedy. Jamaicans take bissy for an upset or 'wash-out' stomach, for a hangover, for high blood pressure, or as a general tonic, and it is long trusted across many ailments as a bitter, restoring drink. Of West African origin in both name and use, bissy belongs to the deep store of Jamaican bush and folk medicine, kept in the house and reached for when the body needs settling, cleansing, or building back up.
Examples
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Grate some bissy fi di belly.
Grate some kola nut for the stomach ache.
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Bissy good fi hangover.
Kola nut is good for a hangover.
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Granny always keep bissy inna di house.
Grandma always kept kola nut in the house.
Origin
From a West African word for the kola nut, brought to Jamaica with the tree and its long-established medicinal use.
How it’s used
A staple of Jamaican bush medicine, reputed to counter poison and settle the stomach. Bitter to taste.