Scientific Name: Piscidia Erythrina

Parts Used: Bark, Leaves, Root

Another Name: Barbasco, Bois de Chiens, Jabin, Jamaican Dogwood, May Bush

Properties: Antispasmodic, Sudorific, Sedative, Nervine, Analgesic, anodyne

Body Parts Affected: Teeth, Skin, Nerves

Uses: Crushed leaves or roots are sometimes used as poultices for sprains. The dried bark has been applied to aching teeth to relieve pain. It is sometimes made into a mouthwash for bleeding gums.  Some persons use an extract in a little water as a sedative, antispasmodic and sudorific. It acts as a sedative by calming the nerves and promoting sleep. It acts as an antispasmodic in asthma and whooping cough. Dog Wood Bark is said to cure neuralgia. In Jamaica, the bark decoction is often applied on sores. The decoction of the bark is used to wash wounds, rashes and skin conditions to cleanse them and promote healing. Preparations of the bark have been used externally in a bath to relieve all sorts of aches and pains from headaches to abdominal pain. It relieves pain during pregnancy and menstruation. Additionally, it alleviates pain due to bone fractures and surgical operations, as well as, backaches.  It is said to possess aphrodisiac qualities.

History/Tradition: This herb is sometimes used in roots tonics made especially for men as it is said to increase potency.

Benefits: For persons suffering from insomnia or nervousness, Dog Wood Bark is known to calm the nerves and promote sleep. It relieves bleeding gums and is helpful with migraines. It is excellent for sores and wounds as its properties cause them to heal faster.  Additionally, it is useful to women suffering from dysmenorrhea. 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.   Jamaican Dogwood Bark may promote relaxation in muscle tissue. Insufficient human clinical trials have been done to support these theoretical effects of Jamaican Dogwood Bark.

Notes: The Wood is used for making furniture and in construction.

Family Name: Leguminosae

Herb #: HRB-240
Name: Jamaican Dogwood Bark
Price: $25.00 / 16 oz
Format: 4 oz, 8 oz, 16 oz and bulk
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