MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

CITRUS AURANTIUM L. Sweet Oranqe.
C. VULGARIS Risso. Seville, Biller, Sour or Biqarade Oranqe.
A decoction of orange leaves or peel is used for stomach-ache and as a bitter tonic. The juice of sour
oranges is used for colds and sore throat. Leaves, twigs and fruit peel contain essential oil with d.limonene, dcamphene,
l-linalol. geraniol, methyl anthranilate and citral.
The glucoside hesperidin is found in leaves, peel and fruit juice; vitamins A, C and the B complex,
together with, acids such as citric acid (and their salts) are present in the fruit juice. In Africa roasted orange is
sometimes applied to ulcers and yaws. Bitter orange is thought to be a remedy for rheumatism. (3, IS, 26, 27).
SAPINDACEAE
About one thousand and fifty. mainly woody, species of warm regions. with widely distributed saponins
and tannins. Of the alkaloids only caffeine is found.
BLIGHIA SAPIDA Koenig. Akee.
In some parts of Jamaica akee leaves are boiled to make a 'rub' for pains. In the Gold Coast of Africa the
bark is ground up with Capsicum to rub on the body as a stimulant. It is also said that in Jamaica tea made with
the leaves is used for colds. (7, 27).
SAPOTACEAE
Six hundred tropical woody species with latex canals in the leaves, bark and pith. Saponins, tannins,
bitter principles and glucosides occur.
SAPOTA ACHRAS Mill. Naseberry: Sapodilla.
Browne reports that the bark of this and several other species was known as Cortex jamaicensis and was
at one time used instead of cinchma. He was of the opinion, however, that while it is astringent it is of no use
for malaria. The leaves are said to provide a nerve tonic. They contain a little alkaloid, one or more bitter
principles, resins and tannic acid. The bark is reputed to contain an alkaloid 'sapotin' which, according to others,
is a saponin, and various tannin compounds. (5, 14, 27).
SIMARUBACEAE
About one hundred and fifty species of woody plants with bitter bark and fatty seeds. Some glucosides,
including cedrin. castelin, valdivin. are found; biller principles such as quassin and simarubin occur.
PICRAENA EXCELSA Lindl. Jamaica Quassia: Bitter Wood; Bitter Ash.
The wood provides the Jamaican Quassia of commerce. The bitter principle, thought at one time to be a
mixture of substances called 'picrasmin', was later shown to be the single bitter quassin (C 20H 300 6). It is both a
tonic and an insecticide. Quassia is used as a home remedy for threadworms in children, as a tonic and appetite
stimulant, and for malaria. Cups hollowed out from pieces of the wood were, at one time, used to prepare the
medicine. Water left to stand in the cup for even a short time becomes bitter. (8, 14, 19, 27).
PICRAMNIA ANTIDESMA Sw. Maioe Bitters: Macary or Old Woman's Bitter; Tom Bontrin's
Bush; Bitter Wood; Honduras Bark; Cascara Amarga.
This plant is still in use in Jamaica for the preparation of home remedies. It is said to make a good tea
for a teething baby. Barham says that the name 'Majoe' is that of an old negro woman who used the plant with
considerable success in the treatment of yaws and venereal diseases. It has also been used for colic, intermittent
fevers and skin ulcers. A Picramnia species is stated to have been introduced into medicine as Honduras Bark or
Cascala Amarga (19). Macfayden mentions that the bitter is less intense than quassia. (8, 15, 19, 27).