MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

Similar uses of the plant are described in Maya medicine and in addition the laex was used for sore eyes. In
parts of Mexico other small Euphorbia spp. are used for this purpose. The B.P.C. 1934 described this species.
which has been used with lobelia or senega to treat chronic bronchitis, asthma, hay fever and other respiratory
troubles, as having a depressant action on the heart and on respiration. The plant has been considered laxative.
(1, 2, 5, 7, 13, 15. 17, 19, 27, 37, 55, 56, 59).
EUPHORBIA HYPERICIFOLIA L. Spurqe; Wart Weed.
In Jamaica tea made by boiling this plant is regarded as useful in the treatment of marasmus in infanls.
Githens states that the latex contains resins and euphorbon. The latter is said to be toxic. According to Wehmer
a phenol-like substance, volatile oil, and a little alkaloid and glycoside are found in the shoots. (2, 7, 9, 10, 13,
15, 24, 27, 37, 61, 62).
EUPHORBIA THYMIFOLIA L. Spurqe; Wart Weed; Eyebright.
Another small herbaceous spurge which is used in a similar way to those already mentioned. The plant has also
been used as a vermifuge, as an astringent, to remove films from the eyes and as a laxative. (I, 9, 14, 15, 24, 37,
39, 61).
JATROPHIA GOSSYPIFOLIA 1.. Wild Cassada.
A tea made with the leaves of the wild cassada is still used as a laxative. In Trinidad oil from the seeds
provides a purge and the plant is also used by the Brazilian Indians to treat stomach upsets. (1, 2, 5, 7, 9, 15. 24,
27. 28, 37, 48, 50, 62).
MANIHOT UTILISSIMA Pohl. Cassava (Cassada); Manioc; Tapioca.
In addition to the use of the bitter cassava for the preparation of starch. the grated tuber is said to make
an excellent poultice for sores. This use, which persists, is recorded by the early writers such as Browne who
says that in the case of very foul sores the cassava flour, still containing some of the juice, should be mixed up
with pounded tobacco leaves. Barham recommends a poultice made with cassava bread, milk and sweet oil to
ripen boils. The tubers are used in a similar manner in Africa. They contain phaseolunatin accompanied by an
emulsin-like enzyme. The young leaves are sometimes boiled as greens. (I, 3, 5, 7, 15, 27, 37, 39, 50, 60, 61).
PHYLLANTHUS NIRURI L. Carry-me-seed; Chamber Bitters; Chickweed; (Grenadines).
In Jamaica the use of this species for the treatment of stomach disorders, is confirmed. In some parts of
the West Indies it has a reputation as a malaria remedy. (2, 7, 9, 14, 27, 39, 61).
RICINUS COMMUNIS L. Castor Oil Plant; Oil Nut.
The leaves of the white-stemmed variety of Ricjnus communis are reported to make a bath which is
efficacious in reducing pain and swelling in the joints. Hot ashes wrapped in a leaf of the castor oil plant were
used by the Maya in the treatment of syphilitic sores and the crushed seeds provided a dressing for scabs on the
arm or head. In India castor oil has been used as a dressing for skin diseases; it has also been recommended in
cases of lumbago, rheumatism. piles and worms. (3, 5, 7, 8, 10, 15, 18, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 37, 38, 39, 50, 56, 61,
62).
FILICINEAE
ADIANTUM TENERUM Sw. Maidenhair Fern; Black-stick Maidenhair.
This species of maidenhair fern (and, perhaps. others) is used to make tea for colds. Beckwith recorded
its use with a number of other plants for this purpose (see Anarcardium occidentale). A. villosum Land A.
trapeziforme L. were thought demulcent and pectoral by old writers. Browne considered all Adiantum spp. to be
light astringent vulneraries useful in pulmonary and cutaneous disorders. The tea is also thought to be "good for
the heart". It may be of interest to note that A. capillus-veneris L. had a reputation in Europe as a remedy for the
treatment of pulmonary catarrh. Some African tribes smoke the leaf for head and chest colds. The plant has also
been used as an emmenagogue.