Jamaican Dogwood Bark and Powder Profile
Also known as
Piscidia piscipula , Fish Poison Tree, North American Dogwood, and Dogwood.
Introduction
Dogwood is a tropical shrub in the legume family with its native roots in the West Indies, Mexico, South Texas, Central America, and parts of South America.and parts of the Pacific Northwest. The Mayans were known to use it for asthma and to reduce fevers. Western science, as well as the Eclectic physicians, used it for its pain relieving properties as early as the 1840�s, where it was also prescribed for nervous conditions. It gained its nickname "fish poison tree" from the West Indian practice of filling an open container with its branches and then dumping the container into a lagoon. As the water become infused with isoflavones from the tree, passing fish "fall asleep" in the box and can be easily caught.
Constituents
Isoflavones, organic acids, beta-sitosterol, tannins.
Parts Used
Bark
Typical Preparations
Tea, tincture and sometimes encapsulated.
Summary
Jamaican Dogwood is considered a relatively powerful remedy for migraine and neuralgia. The herb is also used to treat ovarian and uterine pain. The main use of the herb, however, is to treat insomnia caused by nervous tension or pain. It is also known to contain a substance known as rotenone, which has been used in insecticide to control lice and fleas. It is believed to be relatively harmless to warm-blooded mammals.
Precautions
Jamaican Dogwood is a powerful sedative. It is not poisonous to humans, but taking more than the recommended dose can cause a marked sedative effect. Not recommended while pregnant.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
