Dominican Medicinal Plants: A Guide for Health Care Providers

Cleaning, cleansing or clearing; this term has
two uses: to describe (1.) the internal cleansing
action of remedies inside the body; or (2.) an
external spiritual/energetic cleansing ritual:
1. Herbal preparations taken internally are
sometimes said to “cleanse the body
[internally]” (limpiar el sistema), particularly
the digestive tract, kidneys, liver and/or
reproductive system; in this sense, it can be used
to describe laxative or diuretic herbs, remedies
that cleanse the blood or preparations that clear
obstruction in the reproductive system.
2. a cleansing ritual is performed using herbs
and/or other items to ritually clear or dispel
unwanted energy around a person’s body or in a
physical space (i.e. a room, house, office or car);
this ritual often includes the use of incense,
prayer and bundles of herbs that are swept or
shaken over the body or in ones living space.
Often, water-based preparations of herbs,
fragrant aguas and/or perfume oils are used for
washing ones living area, especially the floor;
then a similar mixture of herbs is prepared as a
bath for washing the physical body as part of
this spiritual/energetic cleansing ritual.
Linden
See Tilo.
Llantén*
Plantain (Plantago major or P. lanceolata).
Plant Part Used
Leaf.
Dominican Medicinal Uses
Leaf: fresh juice or tea, orally, for liver
disorders, vaginal infections, high cholesterol,
stomach ache, menopausal symptoms, abortion;
juice, externally, wound-healing; as a salve or
poultice, externally, for headache, migraine and
nausea.
Safety
Results of toxicity studies and published
literature.
Clinical Data
Human clinical trials: bronchitis treatment (plant
extract).
Laboratory & Preclinical Data
In vivo: antibacterial (leaf compound),
antidiarrheal (leaf extract), chemopreventive
(constituents), antinociceptive (seed and leaf
extract), antitumor (leaf).
In vitro: antiviral, immuno-enhancing, laxative
and gastroprotective (extracts and compounds).
* See entry for Llantén in “Part 3: Dominican
Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more
information, including references.
Lydia Pinkham
Manufactured herbal preparation sold at
botánicas and used for women’s health
conditions, including menopause, infertility,
vaginal infections, menstrual irregularities and
uterine fibroids.
Maguey*
Agave, tequila plant (Agave species).
Plant Part Used
Leaf, husk/bark, root.
Dominican Medicinal Uses
Leaf: tea, orally, for stomach ache, ulcers; fresh
juice added to mixture for asthma, lung
infection; applied externally for headache,
sprains and muscle strain; alcohol tincture for
sexually transmitted infections; decoction,
douche for vaginal infection. Bark/husk:
decoction, orally for arthritis, joint pain and to
cleanse the blood; multi-herb internal mixture
for cysts, fibroids, tumors.
Safety
Little data on toxicity; contact dermatitis
reported due to oxalate crystals in leaves.
Contraindications
Pregnancy.
Laboratory & Preclinical Data
In vivo: anti-inflammatory (plant extract).
In vitro: inhibition of cell division and capillary
permeability (plant extracts and constituents).
* See entry for Maguey in “Part 3: Dominican
Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more
information, including references.
Mala madre*
Palm beach-bells (Kalanchoe gastonisbonnieri).
Plant Part Used
Leaf.
Dominican Medicinal Uses
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