Medicinal Plants : Piscidia erythrina

Name

Biological Name

Piscidia erythrina
Leguminosae

Other Names

Parts Used

Active Compounds

Isoflavones; lisetin, jamaicin, ichthyone, and the rotenoids rotenone, milletone, isomilletone

Organic acids, including piscidic acid, its mono- and diethyl esters, fukiic acid and its 3-0-methyl ester

Miscellaneous; b-sitosterol, tannins

Remedies For

Nervine, anodyne, anti-spasmodic.

Jamaican Dogwood is a powerful sedative, used in its West Indian homeland as a fish poison. Whilst not being poisonous to humans, the given dosage level should not be exceeded. It is a powerful remedy for the treatment of painful conditions such as neuralgia and migraine. It can also be used in the relief of ovarian and uterine pain. Its main use is perhaps in insomnia where this is due to nervous tension or pain.

Combinations: For the ease of insomnia it is best combined with Hops & Valerian. For dysmenorrhoea. it may be used with Black Haw.

Description

Found in W. Indies and S. America.

Dosage

Decoction: Put l teaspoonful of the root in a cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer gently for l0-l5 minutes. This should be drunk when needed.

Tincture: Take l-2 ml of the tincture as needed.

Safety

Do not exceed the dosage recommended. It may be a poison.

No other information available. Some herbs are known to react with your medication. Please consult your physician before starting on any herb.