MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

CUCUMIS SATIVUS L. Cucumber.
The fruit of the cucumber is also regarded as cooling. Its composition is similar to that of the preceding
species. The seeds which contain about 25 per cent oil are used by the Europeans of the Transvaal as an
anthelmintic. The oil contains vitamin A.Watt considered the seeds cooling and diuretic. (10, 16, 26, 27, 61).
FEVILLEA CORDIFOLIA L. Antidote (Cocoon).
We find that the use of the seeds (pounded with sugar and soap) as a dressing for wounds such as those
made by rusty nails persists in Jamaica. The seed is also a common antidote for poisoning. (2, 5, 8, 11, 14, 15,
16, 24, 27, 37, 50, 60, 61).
SECHIUM EDULE Sw. Chocho.
Though there appears to be considerable difference of opinion as to the variety of chocho (white or greenskinned)
to be used there is a general opinion in Jamaica that it has some effect upon high blood pressure. The
juice of the grated fruit is taken and doses have been variously stated as 1 teaspoon three times a week or (no
quantity defined) every eight days. (35).
EUPHORBIACEAE
ACALYPHA WILKESIANA (Muell.) Arg. Copper Leaf; Red Hedge; Headache Bush; Croton.
Both in Jamaica and in other West Indian islands the leaf of this ornamental is used as a headache
poultice. Sometimes the leaves are moistened with bay rum but they may be used alone. Tea made with the
leaves is sometimes used in the Grenadines as an internal treatment. A. indica L. is said to contain an alkaloid
"acalyphin". (13, 37).
ALCHORNEA LATIFOLIA Sw. Loblob; Dove Wood; Jimmy Wood.
The leaves of the loblob are utilised by some as a tooth-ache cure: the leaf is chewed and the extracted
juice held for a while in the mouth to "soak the tooth". A pipe is then smoked and the pain is said to be relieved.
The leaves are also applied to other local pains. Githens and Dalziel report a number of other uses for related
species in Africa where they are employed as vermifuges, wound dressings. cathartics, expectorants, and in the
treatment of gonorrhoea. urinary infections, diarrhoea, dysentery and ophthalmia. The plants are said to contain
tannins and simple amaroid bitters. (7, 10).
CROTON HUMILIS L. Pepper Rod; Small Seaside Balsam.
Early Jamaican medical authors say that this pungent plant was much used in baths and fomentations for
nervous weakness. Maya medicine men used it to treat venereal sores. The only use we are able to record in
Jamaica today is as an insecticide which is said to kill bed-bugs. (5, 15, 56).
CROTON LINEARIS Jacq. (Wild or Spanish) Rosemary.
This plant, which has a pleasant aromatic odour. is much used by Jamaican peasants as a hair wash. As
in Browne's day it is still used in baths for fever and colds, for the treatment of which a tea made with the plant
may also be taken. Barham considered the plant to have all the virtues of rosemary and used the powdered leaf
as a specific for colic. (1. 5, 15, 36, 37, 50).
EUPHORBIA BRASILIENSIS Lam. Spurqe; Wart Weed.
This plant should be included in the list of small herbaceous spurges the juice of which is used in the
removal of warts and to make tea for colds. (37).
EUPHORBIA HIRTA L. Spurqe; Checkweed (Grenadines) Wart Weed; Creeping Hairy Spurge;
Australian or Queensland Asthma Weed.
In Fiji this species boiled in seawater is reputed to be a cure for dysentery and, as in Jamaica, is also
used as a poultice for boils.