Welcome to Part Two of my Jamaican herbs series. Jamaica has a rich tradition of using bush herbs in teas, washes and home remedies passed down through generations. Here are 25 more Jamaican herbs, along with their botanical names and traditional uses.
1. Goatweed
Botanical name: Ageratum conyzoides
Goatweed is a common tropical herb traditionally used in herbal washes and preparations for minor wounds, fever and body complaints.
2. Holy Thistle
Botanical name: Argemone mexicana
Also called Mexican poppy. It appears in Jamaican traditional herbal records.
3. Wild Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum campechianum
Wild basil is an aromatic herb traditionally used for colds, headaches, stomach complaints and bush teas.
4. Sweet Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum basilicum
Basil is used for much more than cooking. Traditionally, basil tea is used for digestive complaints and general wellness.
5. Clove Basil
Botanical name: Ocimum gratissimum
Also known locally as balsam in some areas. This aromatic herb is traditionally used for coughs, colds and bush teas.
6. Comb Bush
Botanical name: Mesosphaerum pectinatum
Formerly classified as Hyptis pectinata. The herb has a history in Jamaican bush medicine, particularly in preparations for colds and headaches.
7. Wild Spikenard
Botanical name: Mesosphaerum suaveolens
Traditionally used in Caribbean herbal medicine for headaches, colds and digestive complaints.
8. Stonebreaker
Botanical name: Phyllanthus niruri
Stonebreaker is a small herb traditionally associated with kidney, urinary and digestive herbal preparations.
9. Broadleaf Plantain Herb
Botanical name: Plantago major
Not to be confused with the plantain banana. This is a ground-growing herb traditionally used externally for minor wounds and in herbal preparations.
10. Worm Bush
Botanical name: Spigelia anthelmia
Also called pinkroot. Historically it was used in Jamaica for intestinal worms.
Caution: This herb is poisonous and is not recommended for self-treatment.
11. Tropical Milkweed
Botanical name: Asclepias curassavica
This herb appears in historical Jamaican bush-medicine records.
Caution: Milkweed contains potent compounds and should not be taken internally without qualified professional guidance.
12. White Head
Botanical name: Asclepias nivea
White head is another herb documented in Jamaican traditional medicine, including historical use for intestinal complaints.
Caution: It belongs to the milkweed family and requires careful handling.
13. Wormwood
Botanical name: Artemisia absinthium
Wormwood has traditionally been associated with bitter digestive preparations and remedies for intestinal worms.
14. Bermuda Grass
Botanical name: Cynodon dactylon
Although often treated simply as grass, it is a medicinal herb in traditional practice and has historically been used in external preparations for cuts and wounds.
15. Ground Cherry
Botanical name: Physalis angulata
This herb has been documented in Jamaican folk medicine and traditionally included in bush preparations for several complaints.
16. Comfrey
Botanical name: Symphytum officinale
Comfrey is traditionally best known for external use on bruises, sprains and minor skin complaints.
Caution: Internal use is not generally recommended because of potentially harmful compounds.
17. Periwinkle
Botanical name: Catharanthus roseus
Periwinkle has a history in Jamaican folk medicine and has also attracted major scientific interest because of compounds found in the plant.
Caution: Periwinkle contains powerful chemicals and should not be used as a homemade internal remedy.
18. Mary Ghoule
Botanical name: Sphagneticola trilobata
Also known as creeping daisy or marigold in some Jamaican communities. It appears in Jamaican traditional herbal preparations, including women's bush remedies.
19. Guaco
Botanical name: Mikania micrantha
Guaco is a fast-growing herbaceous vine traditionally used in herbal preparations for various body complaints.
20. One Blow
Botanical name: Emilia sonchifolia
This small herb is documented in Jamaican Maroon herbal traditions and has been traditionally used in bush medicine.
21. Buttonweed
Botanical name: Spermacoce laevis
A small ground-growing Jamaican herb traditionally used in folk herbal preparations.
22. Shrubby Buttonweed
Botanical name: Spermacoce verticillata
Another buttonweed found in Jamaica. It has a history of medicinal use in tropical folk medicine.
23. Chaptalia
Botanical name: Chaptalia nutans
A low-growing perennial herb native to tropical America, including Jamaica. It has historically been included among medicinal herbs used for body pains and other folk remedies.
24. Pectis
Botanical name: Pectis linifolia
A small aromatic herb native to Jamaica and other Caribbean islands. Species of Pectis appear in traditional Jamaican medicinal records, including preparations for headaches.
25. Ganja
Botanical name: Cannabis sativa
Ganja is a herb with a long cultural and medicinal history in Jamaica. Traditional uses have included preparations associated with pain, appetite, relaxation and general wellness.
Its medicinal use should be distinguished from recreational use, and Jamaican laws and medical guidance should be followed.
