Jamaican Dogwood
OTHER NAME(S): Dogwood Jamaica, Fishfuddle, Fishfudle, Fish Poison Bark, Fish-Poison Tree, Florida Fishpoison Tree, Jabín, Jamaican Cornouiller, Piscidia, West Indian Dogwood, Piscidia piscipula, Erythrina piscipula, Ichthyomethia piscipula, Piscidia erythrina, Piscidia communis, Jamaica Dogwood, Chijol, Cornouiller de Jamaïque
Overview
Jamaican dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) is a tree. Its root bark is used to make medicine.
Jamaican dogwood root bark contains chemicals that might cause sleepiness and decrease muscle spasms.
People sometimes use Jamaican dogwood for anxiety, insomnia, nerve pain, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. Using Jamaican dogwood can also be unsafe.
Don't confuse Jamaican dogwood with American dogwood. These are not the same.
Uses
We currently have no information for Jamaican Dogwood overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe. It's considered toxic. Side effects might include numbness, tremors, salivation, and sweating. Elderly people are especially sensitive to these effects.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe. It's considered toxic. Side effects might include numbness, tremors, salivation, and sweating. Elderly people are especially sensitive to these effects.
Pregnancy: Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It can affect the uterus. Avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Avoid use.
Children: Jamaican dogwood is likely unsafe when taken by mouth in children. Children are especially sensitive to its toxic chemicals. Do not give Jamaican dogwood to children.
Surgery: Jamaican dogwood might slow down the central nervous system (CNS), causing sleepiness. This might slow down the CNS too much when combined with anesthesia and other medications used during and after surgery. Stop using Jamaican dogwood at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Sedative medications (CNS depressants) interacts with Jamaican DogwoodJamaican dogwood might cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Some medications, called sedatives, can also cause sleepiness and slowed breathing. Taking Jamaican dogwood with sedative medications might cause breathing problems and/or too much sleepiness.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Jamaican dogwood might be. Jamaican dogwood might also be unsafe. Speak with a healthcare provider before use.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Della, Loggia R., Zilli, C., Del, Negro P., Redaelli, C., and Tubaro, A. Isoflavones as spasmolytic principles of Piscidia erythrina. Prog.Clin.Biol.Res. 1988;280:365-368.