Jamaica has a rich tradition of using herbs and bush medicine. Many Jamaican herbs are brewed as bush teas, used in herbal baths or prepared as traditional remedies passed down through generations.
Cerasee
Botanical name: Momordica charantia
Cerasee is one of Jamaica's most popular bush herbs. It is traditionally used as a washout and for bellyache, colds, fever and skin complaints.
2. Fever Grass
Botanical name: Cymbopogon citratus
Fever grass, also called lemongrass, is traditionally brewed as tea for fever, colds, headaches, digestive discomfort and relaxation.
3. Guinea Hen Weed
Botanical name: Petiveria alliacea
This strong-smelling Jamaican herb is traditionally used for headaches, colds, body pains and general wellness.
4. Leaf of Life
Botanical name: Kalanchoe pinnata
Leaf of life is traditionally used for coughs, colds and congestion. The leaves have also been applied externally to minor cuts and skin complaints.
5. Sinkle Bible
Botanical name: Aloe vera
Better known internationally as aloe vera, sinkle bible is traditionally used in Jamaica for burns, skin irritation, hair care and digestive preparations.
6. Ginger
Botanical name: Zingiber officinale
Ginger tea is traditionally used for nausea, gas, bellyache, colds, sore throat and general digestive discomfort.
7. Turmeric
Botanical name: Curcuma longa
Turmeric is a herbaceous plant whose underground rhizome is widely used. In Jamaica it is traditionally prepared in teas and wellness drinks.
8. Medina
Botanical name: Alysicarpus vaginalis
Medina is traditionally used in Jamaican herbal preparations and roots tonics for strength, energy, menstrual complaints and general wellness.
9. Vervine
Botanical name: Stachytarpheta jamaicensis
Also called Jamaican vervain. Vervine is traditionally brewed as bush tea for colds, fever, digestive complaints and relaxation.
10. Devil's Horsewhip
Botanical name: Achyranthes indica
This herb has a long history in Jamaican bush medicine and has traditionally been used for colds, flu, bellyache and general body complaints.
11. Rice Bitters
Botanical name: Andrographis paniculata
12. Spanish Needle
Botanical name: Bidens pilosa
Spanish needle grows abundantly across Jamaica. It has traditionally been used as bush tea and in external preparations for minor wounds and skin complaints.
13. Semi-Contract
Botanical name: Dysphania ambrosioides
Also called Mexican tea. Semi-contract has traditionally been used for bellyache, colds and intestinal complaints.
14. Fitweed
Botanical name: Eryngium foetidum
Also called spirit weed. Fitweed has traditionally been used in Jamaica for colds, headaches and fainting or “fits.”
15. Fresh Cut
Botanical name: Justicia pectoralis
Fresh cut, sometimes called garden balsam, has traditionally been used for wounds, colds, constipation and colic.
16. Jamaican Pennyroyal
Botanical name: Clinopodium brownei
Traditionally brewed as tea for stomach discomfort, colds and menstrual complaints.
17. Garden Mint
Botanical name: Mentha spicata
Also called sweet mint or black mint. Jamaicans traditionally drink mint tea for gas, stomachache, nausea and vomiting.
18. Broadleaf Thyme
Botanical name: Plectranthus amboinicus
Broadleaf thyme is used both as a seasoning and a bush herb. It is traditionally associated with home remedies for coughs, colds and congestion.
19. Pepper Elder
Botanical name: Peperomia pellucida
This soft-stemmed herb is traditionally prepared as tea for coughs and colds and is also used in other Jamaican bush remedies.
20. Shame-Me-Darling
Botanical name: Mimosa pudica
Also called sensitive plant because its leaves close when touched. It has a history of use in Jamaican folk medicine for various traditional preparations.
21. Asthma Weed
Botanical name: Euphorbia hirta
Asthma weed has traditionally been associated with Jamaican preparations for coughs, colds and respiratory complaints.
22. Sweet Broom
Botanical name: Scoparia dulcis
Sweet broom is a small herb traditionally used in Jamaican bush medicine for digestive and general wellness preparations.
23. Red Water Grass
Botanical name: Commelina diffusa
This creeping herb has been documented in Jamaican Maroon herbal traditions and used in traditional bush preparations.
24. Wild Thyme
Botanical name: Pilea microphylla
Despite its Jamaican common name, wild thyme is different from culinary thyme. Traditionally it has been associated with preparations for asthma and digestive complaints.
25. Bakenbox
Botanical name: Tridax procumbens
Also known as coatbuttons. In Jamaican folk medicine it has traditionally been used for fever, catarrh and external treatment of minor wounds.
