Welcome to Part Six of Jamaican Herbs and Their Traditional Uses, where we continue exploring the fascinating plants that have long been part of Jamaica’s culture, traditional remedies, and everyday life.
Jamaica is home to a remarkable variety of herbs, roots, shrubs, and wild plants, many of which have been used for generations in bush teas, home remedies, tonics, cooking, and traditional practices. Some are well known across the island, while others may be growing right in front of us without us knowing their names or how they were traditionally used.
In Part Six, we take a closer look at more Jamaican herbs and medicinal plants, including their common names, scientific names, traditional uses, and important identification and safety information.
Join me as we continue uncovering the knowledge, history, and natural treasures found throughout Jamaica’s rich herbal heritage.
1. Pink Sage
Botanical name: Heliotropium angiospermum.
Pink sage has traditionally been used in Jamaican bush medicine for colds, colic and digestive discomfort.
2. Wild Pepper Grass
Botanical name: Lepidium virginicum
Wild pepper grass has traditionally been used for gas and digestive discomfort.
3. Piss-a-Bed
Botanical name: Senna ligustrina
Also listed as: Cassia ligustrina
This Jamaican bush herb has traditionally been associated with bladder and urinary complaints.
4. Stinking Weed
Botanical name: Senna occidentalis
Also called: Wild Coffee. This Jamaican bush herb has traditionally been associated with bladder and urinary complaints.
5. Water Grass
Botanical name: Commelina benghalensis
Water grass has traditionally been used in preparations for sore throats and externally for burns and skin complaints.
6. Bay Tansy
Botanical name: Ambrosia hispida
Also called wormweed in some references. It was traditionally used in Jamaican bush medicine as a deworming herb.
7. Iron Weed
Botanical name: Elephantopus mollis
Iron weed has traditionally been used for colds and back pain.
8. Dog Flea Weed
Botanical name: Parthenium hysterophorus
Traditionally used externally on sores and wounds and historically used to repel fleas.
Caution: This plant can cause skin irritation in some people.
9. Dog Tongue
Botanical name: Pseudelephantopus spicatus
Traditionally used for fever and in external preparations for sprains.
10. Fatten Barrow
Botanical name: Synedrella nodiflora
A Jamaican bush herb traditionally associated with remedies for colds.
11. Rat Ears
Botanical name: Commicarpus scandens
Rat ears has traditionally been used as a bush remedy for colds.
12. Consumption Weed
Botanical name: Wedelia gracilis
Traditionally used for fever, colds and sores.
Caution: Historical sources also record pregnancy-related use, so it should not be used during pregnancy without professional medical guidance.
13. Khus Khus
Botanical name: Vetiveria zizanioides
Also known as: Vetiver
The aromatic roots and grass have traditionally been used in fragrant preparations and as a natural insect repellent.
14. John Charles
Botanical name: Hyptis verticillata
Also called: Wild Mint
John Charles has traditionally been used for colds, skin complaints, itching, body pains and digestive discomfort.
15. Christmas Candlestick
Botanical name: Leonotis nepetifolia
Traditionally used in Jamaican folk medicine in preparations for fever.
Caution: Historical use includes pregnancy-related preparations, so pregnant women should avoid medicinal use unless advised by a qualified professional.
16. Chicken Weed
Botanical name: Salvia serotina
Traditionally used for fever, colic, constipation and digestive complaints.
17. Sunn Hemp
Botanical name: Crotalaria juncea
This herb appears in historical Jamaican folk-medicine records, particularly in preparations for respiratory complaints.
Caution: Plants in the Crotalaria genus can contain toxic compounds and should not be taken internally without expert guidance.
18. Sweetheart
Botanical name: Desmodium canum
Also called: Strongback
Traditionally used in Jamaican bush medicine for weak back, body strength, kidney complaints, headaches and menstrual discomfort.
19. Poor Man's Friend
Botanical name: Stylosanthes viscosa
Traditionally used for colds and kidney complaints.
20. Dog Blood
Botanical name: Rivina humilis
Also called: Inflammation Weed
Dog blood is a well-known Jamaican bush herb with a long history of traditional use, particularly in women's bush preparations and general folk medicine.
21. Cow Foot Leaf
Botanical name: Piper umbellatum
Traditionally used for colds and headaches and in preparations for boils and other skin complaints.
22. Jump Up and Kiss Me
Botanical name: Portulaca oleracea
Also called: Purslane
Traditionally regarded as a cooling herb and used in folk preparations associated with urinary health and general wellness.
23. Shine-a-Night
Botanical name: Borreria laevis
Shine-a-night has traditionally been brewed for colds, fever and constipation.
24. Ramgoat Dash-a-Long
Botanical name: Turnera ulmifolia
This Jamaican bush herb has traditionally been used for colds, fever, weakness, constipation and prickly heat.
25. Fennel
Botanical name: Foeniculum vulgare
Also called: Aniseed
Fennel has traditionally been brewed as an aromatic tea and used for colds and digestive discomfort.
