MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

In Jamaica the plant is said to be used for constipation. The vegetative parts are beaten and boiled to
make tea to which a little castor oil or grease is added. This is also thought to be a 'purge for the blood'. For
colds the plant is said to be used alone or with rattle weed (? Crotalaria). Browne and other early writers speak
of the use of the shoots to prepare a drink for fevers, coughs and colds. It is still used in this way in the
Grenadines. In Africa the leaves and roots are used for coughs and colds; the leaves to make an infusion for
colic; the powdered leaves with palm oil for convulsions in children; the powdered leaves alone for conjunctivitis
and to make a paste for boils; tho seeds for ophthalmia, snakebite, ulcers and worms. Similar use is made
of the plant in India and Ceylon. (2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 13, 14, 15, 18, 23, 24, 26, 27).
ANDIRA INERMIS H. B. K. Cabbage Bark Tree: Cabbage Tree; Bastard Cabbage; Angeleen
Tree; Worm Wood.
For worms and phlegm Beckwith quotes a recipe which has more than a touch of magic in it, 'Take one
chip where the sun rises, two where it goes down, boil as tea and sweeten. Eat a little piece of salt herring and
drink the tea'. For wounds a plaster made of the grated 'nut' has been used but seems to be a somewhat painful
remedy 'only some can stand it'. The bark is said to contain an alkaloid, berberine, and a methyltyrosin
(andirin). It was at one time used in European medicine as a vermifuge but it is dangerous in large doses, producing
vomiting with fever and delirium. (2, 7, 10, 14, 19, 27).
CAJANUS CAJAN Millsp. Gungo (Congo) Pea: Pigeon or No-eye Pea.
The seeds are a favourite food in Jamaica while the leaves are sometimes used to make tea for colds.
Both the leaves and roots are said to contain tannins. In Africa the leaves have been used to prepare a gargle and
mouthwash: for diarrhoea and for smallpox. (8, 10, 15).
DESMODIUM SPP: including D. SUPINUM DC. Wild Pinder: Strong Back; Man Back; Bee Bur
or Bush.
D. supinum and probably other Desmodium species are used quite commonly to make tea for pains in
the back. The whole plant is boiled either alone, or with other plants such as china root (Smilax sp.) sarsaparilla
(Smilax ornata) Mimosa pudica and Chrysanthellum arnerkanum. The last two are said to be used to induce
sleep in case of pain, while the first two together with unidentified species are used to make a tonic drink.
Steggerda reports the use of Desmodium for colds and kidney troubles. In Lunan's day a decoction of
Desmodium was considered to be a stomachic and. vermifuge, and the smoke from the burning leaves was used
for headaches. Analyses of Desmodium show tbe presence of resins. (10).
STYLOSANTHES HAMATA Taub. Donkey Weed: Pencil Flower: Lady's Fingers; Cheesy Toes.
S. VISCOSA Sw. Poor Man's Friend.
It is possible that these species are not distinguished by those using them medicinally. Both species are
used in decoction for t1:e treatment of colds. In the Gambia S. viscosa is used for colds and as an ingredient of
aphrodiasiac preparations. Beckwith says it is used In Jamaica for kidney trouble. (2, 7).
PASSIFLORACEAE
About three hundred and fifty species of warmer regions, including many tropical vines. The leaves and
roots contain various compounds which yield hydrocyanic acid. These do not occur in the fruit pulp, however,
which is often edible. They also contain salicylic acid.
PASSIFLORA FOETIDA L. Love-in-a-Mist: Granadilla.
The dry plant is used in some parts to make tea which is said to be 'good for the kidneys', as leaves
contain 0.009 per cent hydrocyanic acid. (7, 10, 14, 27).