MEDlCINAL PLANTS OF JAMAICA. PARTS 1 & 11.

The essential oil is of complex composition and contains alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, terpenes and
sesquiterpenes. Camphor has been widely used both internally and externally. It is primarily stimulant and
diaphoretic and secondarily sedative and anodyne. (3, 17, 27, 61).
PERSEA AMERICANA Mill. Avocado Pear.
In amplification of uses previously recorded it may be added that the leaves of the tree are used in baths
lor fever and pain. Early writers such as Lunan say that they are "balsamic. pectoral and vulnerary" and that the
buds have been used in the treatment vf venereal diseases. A recent informant assured us that the leaves 01 only
the "green skinned" pear should be used for high blood pressure.
Hodgson records that the protein content of the lruit is two to three times that of the apple and citrus and
little less than that 01 the olive; the mineral content is similarly high; there is 5.25 per cent 01 readily digestible
fat. While the vitamin B complex content is high and that of A and E good. the content of vitamin D is fair and
of C low. Long writes that the fruits were considered "great provocatives; and. for this reason it is said. the
Spaniards do not like to see their wives indulge too much in them". (14, 15. 27. 44. 50. 56. 62).
LILIACEAE
ALOE VULGARIS Lam. Aloes.
Uses of aloes already recorded for Jamaica are found in Cuba. Dominican Republic and among the
Mayas. It has also been found 01 value in the treatment of X-ray burns. (1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 11, 12, 15, 22, 23, 24, 26,
27, 37, 39, 43, 47, 50, 56, 60, 61, 62).
SMILAX SP. (?balbisiana Kth.) Hog Head.
qLike other Smilax spp. this is said to be used in tonics. The root is described as shorter and latter than that of
china root. though our specimen appears to be the same species.
SMILAX SP. Bryal Wys (Withe).
Like china root and sarsaparilla this Smilax sp. is used in tonics (see Pseudelephantopus and Passillora
maliformis). (36).
LYTHRACEAE
CUPHEA PARSONIA R. Br. Strong Back; Milk Weed.
This tiny herb. called "strong back" by our inlormant. is sometimes included in the ubiquitous
sarsaparilla tonic. (see Pseudelephantopus). (2. 11).
PUNICA GRANATUM L. Pomegranate.
The fruit rind and root bark of pomegranate are well-known tapeworm remedies and are so used in
Jamaica. In this connection the following remedy lor vomiting sickness is of some interest:. "Dry. parch and
grind the fruit skin: mix it with ground dry fowl gizzard and white flour." The mixture is made into a porridge
which is eaten. The fruit skin is also boiled to make tea which is taken lor stomach.ache. This may be correlated
with its use in Africa for dysentery. diarrhoea. colitis and stomach-ache. The rind is very astringent. containing
some 28 per cent tannin as glycosidal tannic acid. mucilage and perhaps some resin. It has in the past been used
to treat leucorrhoea. Sloane gives the leaves beaten with oil of roses as a headache application.
The root bark contains about 0.3 to 0.9 per cent of alkaloids which are pelletierine, isopellatierine,
methylpelletierine. pseudopelletierine and isomethylpelletierine; several glycosidal tannic acids; resin; starch.
The stem bark contains similar alkaloids and tannins.
The flowers. which are used by the Hausas as a vermifuge and have been used as a tonic, astringent and
gargle, contain an anthocyanin. "punicin" which is very similar to pelargonine.
The fruit contains reducing sugars. citric and malic acids and is rich in vitamin C. (3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14, 15,
16, 23, 24, 26, 27, 30, 36, 37, 38, 39, 51, 56, 60, 61).