Jamaica Dogwood
Botanical Description & Habitat
Piscidia piscipula, p. erythrina
Family
Plantaginaceae (Fabaceae, Leguminosae)
Common Names
Fish poison bark
Piscidia
Habitat
West Indies
Medicinal Parts
Root bark
Historical Properties & Uses
Jamaica Dogwood is best known as a fish poison, partial paralyzing fish into whose water the plant has been added. Jamaica Dogwood is considered a narcotic, and has been used as a substitute for morphine and opium.
In folk medicine, it is employed as an analgesic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emetic, hypnotic, mydriatic, narcotic, sedative and sudorific, in the treatment of asthma, dysmenorrhea, neuralgia, pertussis, spasm, toothache, alcoholism, asthma, bronchitis, headache, insomnia, backache, wounds, skin diseases, etc.
Method of Action
The Pharmacology of Jamaica Dogwood
Jamaica dogwood contains piscidine and piscidic acid, but most activity is due to presence of two isoflavonic heterosides, rotenone and jamicine which have vigorous spasmolytic, sedative, analgesic and respiratory stimulant action.
Jamaica dogwood is no longer considered a viable medicine most countries outside of the West Indies, but the British Herbal Pharmacopoeia still recognizes Jamaica Dogwood as a sedative and anodyne, for use in the treatment of neuralgia, migraine, insomnia and dysmenorrhea; specifically for insomnia due to neuralgia or nervous tension.
It is often combined with hops and valerian root, and used with black haw in dysmenorrhea.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Insofar as diuretic action, Jamaica Dogwood increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, which may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuremic effects of glucose elevating agents.
In sub-laxative and sub-emetic doses this herb should have no drug interactions. At higher doses, interactions similar to those involving diuretics and cathartics may occur.
Possible Interactions
Jamaica dogwood should not be used with methotrimeprazine, a potent CNS depressant analgesic.
Additive effects may occur between the hypotensive property of jamaica dogwood and that of dopamine receptor agonists such as bromocriptine mesylate.
Jamaica dogwood should be used with caution in conjunction with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Jamaica dogwood's analgesic effects may be additive with other analgesics and anesthetics. It may be inhibited by barbiturates even though CNS depressant effects may occur.
The analgesic property of this herb may be reversed or eliminated by p-chlorophenylalanine, cyproheptadine HCl, and phenobarbital.
The CNS depressant tendency of this analgesic may be potentiated by chlorpoxthixene HCl, haloperidol, and tranquilizers.
The use of diuretics may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
The antacid nature of jamaica dogwood may decrease or delay the absorption of nalidixic acid and the sulfonamides.
Due to the spasmolytic nature of this herb it may interact in unknown ways with CNS depressants or stimulants.
Comments
In the absence of other hard data, it may still be assumed observable interactions may occur between the many central nervous system drugs and the psychoactive principles in jamaica dogwood.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
Jamaica Dogwood in therapeutic dosages does not have toxic side effects, but it is still considered dangerous because dosage is difficult to control, and toxicity can be easily induced, consisting of gastric distress, nausea, numbness, tremors, sweating, etc.
Preparation & Administration
Use three times daily
Decoction
Use 1-2g of dried root bark
Liquid Extract
Use 1-2ml of 1:1 in 30% alcohol
References
Braun, H. & Frohne, D. Heilplanzen-Lexikon Fuer Aerzte und Apotheker. Gustav Fisher Verlag, Stuttgart, New York, 1987.
British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, British Herbal Medicine Association, 1983.
Duke, J.A. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, CRC Press, Inc., Boca Raton, Florida, 1985.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
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