Medicinal Plants

Numerous plants in the Botanic Gardens reportedly have medicinal properties. Some of these plants and their medicinal properties are well known in Dominica, such as the tea from the Guava leaf (Psidium guajava) for diarrhea, and that from the Orange leaf (Citrus sinensis) to stop vomiting. However, there are many plants in the Botanic Gardens whose reported medicinal properties are unknown, or at least not widely known in Dominica; but these plants are known in the other islands, or in other parts of the world, for specific medicinal properties.

In Dominica, the medicinal uses of plants have their origin primarily in the cultures of African slaves brought to these islands and the original Carib inhabitants. For example, the Caribs used the leaves of Periwinkle (Catharanthus roseus) in a tea for diabetes. This is the same Periwinkle from whose sap, in modern pharmacology, several medicinal alkaloids are produced. These are used to lower blood sugar in diabetics, in the treatment of leukemia, and as powerful tranquilizers. So powerful were the herbal effects of Periwinkle, the French called it "Violet of the Sorcerers."

Unfortunately, indigenous plant remedies are usually untested scientifically, and their efficacies may vary from ineffective or non-existent to quite potent, or even poisonous, depending on preparation and dosage. Several years ago in Guyana, a number of people died after drinking a medicinal "bush tea" brewed from the bark of a forest tree. In addition, some herb remedies are recommended for several different ailments, creating the impression of a panacea with its unscientific aura, or a nostrum with its snake oil image. Because of these, herbal or folk medicines are generally looked upon with some skepticism.

However, we should recognize that many of our mainstream medicines have their origins in plants. Apart from the Periwinkle alkaloids, other examples include salicilin, the base for aspirin, originally derived from Willow bark (several Salix sp); digitalin, for regulating heart beat, from Foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); and quinine for malaria, from Fever or Cinchona bark (several Cinchona sp). Today, it is estimated that plants provide the basis for between 30 and 40 percent of our conventional drugs. Currently, there is increasing interest in these plants and their medicinal properties because of a new recognition of their utility and importance, even as their natural habitats diminish with the expansion of human settlement and the destruction of the world's forests. Today, researchers are studying the indigenous herbal medicines of people all over the world, to record the preparation and use of these medicines and to discover their active ingredients.

The medicinal plants listed below are only those included among the plants we describe on this website, at this point. These are linked to their plant descriptions, where brief information on their medicinal properties is given. This listing is provided for general information only. It is not an endorsement. If inappropriately used, some of these plants can be deadly. For the herbal enthusiast, further details of medicinal properties and use can be found on the internet.

References:
Lucy A. Snyder. Description and Natural History of the Periwinkle. Cyberbotanica, Univ. of Texas, Austin, 1998 (biotech.icmb.utexas.edu)
Medicinal Plants. Science Reference Services, Library of Congress, Washington, DC 2005 (www.loc.gov)
Jerold M. Lowenstein. The Spin on Aspirin. California Wild, Vol. 59:1, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, 2006 (www.calacademy.org)
Penelope N. Honychurch. Caribbean Wild Plants and Their Uses. Macmillan, London, 1986
Meet the Plants. US National Tropical Botanical Garden, Kalaheo, Hawaii 2004 (ntbg.org)
Robert A. DeFilipps, et al. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. draft, n.d. (mnh.si.edu)
Robert A. DeFilipps. Useful Plants of the Commonwealth of Dominica, West Indies. Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. 1998

SCIENTIFIC NAME

COMMON NAME

PARTS USED

AILMENTS / USES

Acalypha hispida

Red Catstail, Chenelle Plant

root+flower
leaves
flower
bark
root

decoction for coughing blood
poultice for leprosy
diuretic for kidney ailments
expectorant and to relieve asthma
pulmonary problems

Adansonia digitata

Baobab

seed

fevers

Albizia niopoides

Caribbean Albizia

roots
bark

contusions, angina
scorpion stings

Alpinia purpurata

Ginger Lily

leaves

stomach complaints

Alstonia scholaris

Ditta Bark, Pulai

bark

malaria, diarrhoea, dysentery

Annona muricata

Soursop, Kowosol

leaves
bark

skin diseases, abscesses, colds, fever, diarrhea, gonorrhea; as sedative, and to induce labor and lactation
dysentery and worms

Annona reticulata

Custard Apple, Cashima

leaves
bark
seeds

diarrhea, fever
sprains and dislocations
lice

Artocarpus altilis

Breadfruit

leaves
stem exudate

heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, diarrhea, urinary tract infections
abscesses, bruises and sprains

Artocarpus heterophyllus

Jackfruit

leaves
wood
pith
root
latex

poultice for ulcers
decoction as sedative
decoction as abortive
decoction for fever and diarrhea
poultice for abscesses and snake bites

Azadirachta indica

Neem

leaf
fruit/oil

antiviral: for flu, colds, herpes, dengue fever
leprosy, rheumatism

Bambusa spinosa

Spiny Bamboo

leaves
young shoot
root

childbirth lochia, vermifuge
expelling worms from ulcers
urine voiding, cirrhosis, miscellaneous tumors

Bombax ceiba

Bombax, Red Silk Cotton

roots
gum

astringent and aphrodisiac
diarrhea and dysentery

Brownea coccinea

Brownea

bark

menorrahgia, menstrual pain

Butea monosperma

Flame of the Forest

bark/resin

astringent (tightens/shrinks tissue)

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Barbados Pride

root
leaf
flower
seed

gall and kidney stones
childbirth
abortifuge

Cananga odorata

Ylang Ylang

flowers/oil

aroma therapy,
slows rapid breathing

Cassia fistular

Golden Shower

root
bark
fruit

purgative
astringent

Cinnamomum verum.

Cinnamon, Canelle

bark
leaf
bark & leaf oil
bark powder

tea for abdominal complaints
tea to reduce fever
antiseptic and astringent
ingested for diabetes

Copaifera officinalis

Balsam, Copaiba Balsam

sap (resin)

Topically: stop bleeding, heal wounds, psoriasis.

Internally: bronchitis, gonorrhea, among others

Cycas sp

Sago Palms

various

cancers
tumors
rheumatism

Dipterix odorata

Tonka Bean, Cumaru

bark
seed
seed oil

fever
snakebites cuts, coughs and rheumatism
earaches and ear infections

Elaeis guineensis

African Oil Palm, Oil Palm

oil

for Vitamin A deficiency
as liniment
aphrodisiac
diuretic
for cancer
headache
rheumatism

Haematoxylon campechianum

Campeche, Logwood

bark, leaves

astringent
anemia
dysentery
diarrhea
intestinal parasites
menstrual disorders

Ixora coccinea

Ixora

flowers, leaves, bark

blood-shot eyes
sores
ulcers

Juniperus bermudiana

Bermuda Juniper

shoots/oil

diuretic (promotes urination)

Kigelia africana

Sausage Tree

fruit

purgative
in dressing wounds
ulcers

Lagerstroemia speciosa

Queens Flower Tree

seeds, leaves

seeds narcotic, leaves purgative

Litchi chinensis

Litchi, Lychi, Litchee

fruit
fruit skin
seeds

chronic coughing, stomach ache

tea for smallpox, diarrhea

powdered for neuralgic pain

Mangifera indica

Mango

flowers
leaves
seed
bark/latex

astringent for diarrhea and dysentery
diarrhea, fever, diabetes
intestinal worms
rheumatism, diphtheria, syphilis

Melaleuca linearifolia

Paperback Tree

leaves & twigs (oil)

Topically - headaches, thrush, vaginal infections, acne, insect bites, among others;

Internally -cystitis, glandular fever, chronic fatigue, among others;

Morinda citrifolia

Noni, Pangkila

leaves
fruit
bark
seed

rheumatism, wounds, fever, headaches, laxative
asthma, lumbago, dysentery, cancer, fractures, menstruation
jaundice, hypertension, laxative
laxative, head lice

Musa acuminata

Banana, Lacatan, Cavendish Banana

stem
leaves
flowers
ripe peel
unripe peel
sap
root

pulp infusion for dysentery
burns, dysentery, diarrhea, malignant ulcers
cooked for bronchitis, dysentery, diabetics
abortive, salve for insect stings and bites
ashes for dysentery, malignant ulcers
epilepsy, leprosy, dysentery
carbuncles, digestive disorders and dysentery

Nerium oleander

Oleander

sap (toxic)

skin diseases

Pandanus sp

Screwpine

leaf

reduce external swelling

Persia americana

Avocado, Pear, Zaboca

leaves
new shoots
fruit skin
seed

pyorrhea, neuralgia, diarrhea, wounds, menstruation
coughs, abortifuge
vermifuge, dysentery
diarrhea, dysentery, toothache