Botanical Index No. 564

Jamaica Dogwood

piscidia piscipula

Medicinal Actions

Analgesic, Anticancer, Antileukemic, Antispasmodic, Antiviral, Anxiolytic, Astringent, Cardiotonic, CNS-Paralytic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Emetic, Fungicide, Hypnotic, Insecticide, Molluscicide, Mydriatic, Narcotic, Piscicide, Sedative, Soporific, Uterorelaxant, Colic

Primary Conditions Treated

Curare Alcoholism Anxiety Asthma Backache Bleeding Bronchosis Cancer epidermis nose pharynx Childbirth Cold Cough Cramp Delirium Dermatosis Diarrhea Dysentery Dysmenorrhea Dysuria Fear Fever Flu Fracture Fungus Gingivosis Headache Herpes Hysteria Infection Insomnia Leukemia Mange Migraine Mycosis Nervousness Neuralgia Pain Pertussis Polio Rash Rhinosis Spasm Sprain Toothache Tuberculosis Virus Water Retention Wound

General Dosage

Boil 5 × 5 cm square of bark in 3 cups water as astringent mouthwash; 1–2 g root bark, or in tea, 3 ×/day; 1–2 ml liquid root bark extract 3 ×/day; 2–8 ml root bark tincture; boil 9 leaves with sugar water to make a cough syrup; 2–5 g liquid extract.

Safety & Contraindications

Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects — Not covered. “Hazards and/or side effects not known for proper therapeutic dosages”. CAN cautions that high doses can cause irritation, numbness, salivation, and tremors. Because of irritant and uterine activity, in vitro and in vivo, its use in pregnancy and lactation is to be avoided. Said to be toxic parenterally but nontoxic orally. May potentiate pharmaceutical sedatives.

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