Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) Bark, Cut and Sifted, Wildcrafted

JAMAICA. Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) Bark, Cut and Sifted, Wildcrafted

Common names: Florida Fishpoison Tree, Fishfuddle, White Dogwood, Chijol, Jabin, Cornouiller de Jamaique, Erythrina Piscipula

Family: Fabaceae

Jamaican Dogwood is a drought-tolerant tropical deciduous flowering tree, growing up to 50 feet high in sunny locations, native to coastal zones in the Caribbean region. The West Indian Taino tribe, and other Central and South American groups, have used extracts from the tree to becalm fish for easy harvesting.

Herbalists prescribe the bark of the tree for its analgesic, antispasmodic, sedative, and anxiolytic properties. Applications include back pain, spasmodic coughs and asthma, headaches and migraines, toothaches, arthritis, stomach cramps, dysmenorrhea, panic disorder, hypertension, and insomnia, and as a topical wash for lice, scabies, and fleas.

Active compounds in Jamaican Dogwood Bark include the resins piscidin, jamaicin, and rotenone; isoflavones sumatrol, durmilone, and erythynone; and tannins. Although the Eclectic physicians made considerable use of the herb, it has not been extensively studied by researchers. Use it cautiously, in consultation with an experienced practitioner, to minimize possible toxicity. It should not be consumed by children or elderly people, pregnant or lactating women, or in combination with other sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, or anesthesics.


*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.