MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

Red birch appears to find little application in Jamaican domestic medicine though it may, on occasions, be used,
perhaps with Argemone mexicana, as a treatment for high blood pressure. (1, 15, 16, 24, 27, 28, 37, 38, 47, 56).
CAESALPINOIDEAE
CAESALPINEA BONDUC Roxb. i (Nicker); Nichol (Yellow and Grey).
C. BONDUCELLA Flem.('
Since our previous account of these species it has become apparent that the generally accepted common
name in Jamaica is nichol (nickel) rather than nicker. A recent communication indicates that the use of the seeds
by diabetics is fraught with danger owing to the fact that they contain a principle which suppresses urinary
sugar while leaving the blood sugar unaffected. We have so far been unable to locate an account of the
investigations on which this statement is based.
We further find that the seeds have been used tn the treatment of venereal diseases, being regarded as
astringent. Both leaves and seeds have been used as an external application for hydrocoele while the leaves,
which are said to be rubefacient, have been applied to aching teeth and used in cases of rheumatismand palsy
and to prepare a gargle. The seeds have also been thought of value in the treatment of convulsions. The root,
and especially its bark, was also considered of value in the treatment of intermittent fever. (3, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11,
15, 16, 17, 19, 24, 26, 27, 29, 37, 38, 39, 47, 50, 53, 61, 62).
CASSIA FISTULA L. Indian Laburnum; Cassia Stick Tree; Purging Cassia.
Small doses of the fruit pulp, which is rich in sugar, tannin and citric acid, is a well-known gentle laxative.
The pulp is also said to contain about one per cent of an anthraquinone derivative, gum and traces of
volatile oil. It was an ingredient of confection of senna. Dancer gave the dose as a portion the size of a small
nutmeg. In larger doses it is purgative. In Jamaica the pulp is still sometimes used with a senna as a purge. The
seeds also are said to be purgative. In Rhodesia the plant is used by the natives in the treatment of malaria,
black-water fever, blood poisoning, dysentery and anthrax. Cassia pulp has found some use in India as an
external application in cases of gout and rheumatism. It was, in the past, included in the pharmacopoeias. The
bitter root is said to be febrifuge and diuretic and in Ceylon the bark is used as a treatment for rheumatism. A
confection of the flowers is also considered febrifuge. The bark and leaves have been used in the East as an
external application for skin diseases. (3,5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23, 26, 27, 37, 39, 47, 61. 62).
CASSIA LlGUSTRINA L. Dandelion: Piss-a-bed.
C. OCCIDENTALIS L.Dandelion: Piss-a-bed.
CASSIA SP.Dandelion.
Considerable confusion appears to exist among Jamaicans who use "tea bushes" as to the identity and
respective merits of the plants called dandelion and piss-a-bed. It is certain that some informants who claim that
the plants are different distinguish them on characteristics of so slight a botanical nature that they have
presented to us specimens of C. occidentalis under both names: we have, moreover, been assured that, while
piss-a-bed is given to children (and adults) with weak bladders, dandelion is "good for the kidneys" which
seems to imply a diuretic character. Both Dancer and Wright give the name piss-a-bed to C. occidentalis which
they describe as diuretic and aperient. Other writers describe the root only, as diuretic. We have had similar
confused accounts of C. ligustrina. At Bath an informant identified C. occidentalis as piss-a-bed and attributed
to it antidiuretic properties: the plant presented as dandelion was a further unidentified Cassia sp. which was
described as "good for" the kidneys, back pains, the stomach and shortness of breath.
C. ligustrina-The leaves of this species are employed in Cuba as a purge.
C. occidentalis-In addition to uses already recorded the leaves of this species are described in the literature as
providing a drink and wash for skin diseases; the seeds as an application for ringworm; and the leaves and roots
a3 a medicine for jaundice, dropsy, dysentery, diarrhoea, liver troubles and gonorrhoea. We have also been told
that the plant (with soil still adhering to the roots) soaked in proof rum makes an excellent medicine for the
prevention of an attack of malaria. (2, 3, 5. 8. 9, 10. 14, 15.16. 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 37, 39, 47, 48, 51, 58, 60,
61, 62).