- Origin
- North America (Florida, Caribbean), South America (north)
- Traditions
- Western herbal medicine
Central America and the Caribbean · Herb · № 309
Piscidia piscipula
Herb · Central America and the Caribbean
Jamaican dogwood
Piscidia piscipula
Traditionally attributed effects: calming, pain-relieving.
Safety notes
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose. Do not exceed the dose. Only short-term and acute, poisonous in high doses. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Herbal medicine worldwide: Do not exceed the dose.
- Western herbalism: Only short-term and acute, poisonous in high doses. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Preparation
Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.
Use in traditions
In the Caribbean and Central America the pounded bark and leaves were thrown into the water to stun fish, which is recalled in the name Piscidia ('fish killer'). In the 19th century the root bark came into use in Europe and North America as a remedy for pain and sleeplessness.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Herbal medicine worldwide
Attributed effects
Calming, pain-relieving.
Preparation and amount
Root bark.
Caution: Do not exceed the dose.
Western herbalism
Attributed effects
Calming, astringent; strong remedy for nerve pain and pain from tension, insomnia from pain, migraine, sciatica, neuralgia.
Preparation and amount
Traditionally used forms: decoction, tincture.
Caution: Only short-term and acute, poisonous in high doses. Poisonous or risky: only under expert supervision. No dosage is given here on purpose.