MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

MEDICINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA
G. F. ASPREY AND PHYLLIS THORNTON
PART II
PALMAE
A family, occurring mainly in the tropics, which includes many important economic plants such as the
coconut, oilnut and date palms. Fats are common, especially in the endosperm of the seeds, together with
mannan-like carbohydrates. Few glucosides, alkaloids, essential oils or resins are known.
COCOS NUCIFERA L. Coconut.
Coconut water, a favourite drink of Jamaicans, is said to be good for tbe bladder. It consists of a dilute
solution of sugars and mineral salts with proteins and fats. In the fully grown but unripe nuts, called water
coconuts, there is about 4.6 per cent. glucose. The coconut root is said to be astringent. In Lunan's time the
outside shining part of the nut and 'branch' were scraped off as a fine powder which was used as a dressing for
sores and ulcers. An emulsion of coconut oil was used for coughs. (15, 27).
PAPAVERACEAE
A family of some three hundred herbaceous and shrubby species which is well known for the presence
of a great number of alkaloids including the opium alkaloids. Many species possess a milky latex. Fats are
found in the seeds together with glycosides and many organic acids in combination with the alkaloids or
minerals.
ARGEMONE MEXICANA L. Mexican Poppy or Thistle: Prickly Poppy; Gamboge or Yellow Thistle.
Steggerda reported that this plant is used for colds, especially in children. Browne also reported that it is
sudorific when used in infusions and that the juice could be used for eye diseases. The seeds, in a dose of one to
five, were used by the country people for diarrhoea and dysentery. It is reputed, by Lindley, that in the island of
Nevis 'the oil obtained from the seeds is used as a substitute for castor oil'. The foliage contains the alkaloids
berberine and protopine. No morphine is present. (5, 7, 8, 14. 15. 18, 25, 26, 27).
PAPILIONATEAE*
ABRUS PRECATORlUS L. Red Bead Vine: John Crow Beads; Crab's Eyes; Wild Liquorice; Liquorice Vine;
Lick Weed.
The root has long been used in India, Africa and the West Indies as a substitute for true liquorice. Seeds,
leaves and roots contain a toxalbumin, abrin (ClzH140zNz) which is slowly absorbed from the gastro-intestinal
tract. It is most concentrated in the seeds, which are fometic. purgative, anthelmintic and toxic. One to three
grains of the powdered seeds boiled in milk are said to provide a tonic, though several writers report that one or
two seeds are a fatal dose especially if chewed. The toxalbumin is said to be destroyed by cooking. The seeds,
under the name of 'jequirity' have long been known for their effect in granular conjunctivitis. They are also said
to contain a bitter amorphous substance, abralin (C13H1407)' Dalziel reports that the root has 1.5 per cent
glycyrrhizine and the leaves 9 to 10 per cent.
*See also LEGUMINOSAE