Common Name: Jamaican dogwood, Fish
poison tree.
Botanical Name: Piscidia erythrina
General Information: While it originated
in the West Indies and South America, it can also
be found in the Caribbean, Mexico and Texas. Medically,
the stem bark is collected in strips and used.
Medicinal Uses: Jamaican dogwood
is used in the West Indies as a fish poison. It should
come as no surprise then that it is used medicinally
as a sedative. It's not poisonous to humans, but the
recommended dosage should nonetheless not be exceeded.
It can be used to treat a number of conditions, including
(and mostly) insomnia, as well as migraines, uterine
pain and other types of pain.
