(Aralia) – (Guaco bush) -(Leaf of Life)-Herbs used as medicine in Jamaica

ARALIA
The leaves are used in Jamaica to prepare tea for colds. It is common in garden as a hedge plant and is
not indigenous. In the Grenadines a species of Aralia (A. wilkensiana) is used as a poultice and sometimes as
tea for headaches.

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GUACO BUSH

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Guaco or Gwaco Bush.(Mikania SPP)

Guaco bush is used as a cold remedy and a decoction of the leaves is also used to bathe
the skin for itch or the fresh leaves are merely rubbed on. Several Mikania species have a
reputation in Africa and South America as antidotes for snake bites, venereal disease, ophthalmia,
rheumatism and gout and dysentery. Both Beckwith and Steggerda reported its use in Jamaica
for diarrhoea, while the former mentioned the use of a heated wad of leaves to relieve local
pain and of a decoction for chest and stomach pains. The leaves contain a resinous substance
guacin and tannins.

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LEAF OF LIFE

Leaf of Life.
The leaves of this succulent are much used for colds. A decoction may be used, or the juice, alone or with goat’s
milk or salt, is taken. It may also be mixed with yam leaves to boil tea. The bruised leaves are said to make a
soothing dressing for insect bites, bruises, boils and ulcers. Apart from the fact that the plant contains free malic
acid and calcium malate little seems to be known of its constituents. In Africa it is used for more varied
purposes including coughs (the root), headaches, ophthalmia, earache, abscesses and swellings, and as a diuretic.

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