What is Jamaican Dogwood?

Growing Jamaica Dogwood

• Jamaican dogwood grows true from seed and needs a sunny location to thrive. Plant in well-draining sandy soils or limestone with a layer of humus on top. Add organic compost to the tree four times a year to provide essential nutrients, and water regularly until the tree is established. Jamaican dogwood is drought-tolerant and doesn't require much additional watering once established. Jamaica dogwood grows to an average of 25 to 35 feet, and can grow taller in some areas. It becomes cloaked in white, pink or lavender flowers in the spring and is a larval host for cassius blue and hammock skipper butterflies.

Medicinal Uses for Jamaica Dogwood

• Jamaican dogwood has roots in Mayan history as a medicine for asthma and fever reduction. The herb was also documented in Western medicine as early as the 1840s as a pain reliever. Today, Jamaican dogwood is used to treat nerve pain, migraines, insomnia, anxiety, fear and nervous tension.

Extracting Jamaican Dogwood

• The medicinal properties of Jamaican dogwood are found in its root bark, therefore extracting the medicinal properties is more time intensive. Make a decoction using a teaspoon of root bark per 1 cup of water. Allow the root bark and water to slowly simmer for 20 to 45 minutes. The longer you allow the herb to simmer, the stronger the decoction will be. A tincture is also an effective way to extract Jamaican dogwood's medicinal properties. Fill a dark, glass bottle with finely chopped root bark and pour a menstruum, either vegetable glycerin, alcohol (brandy or vodka are good choices) or apple cider vinegar, over the herb so it is completely submerged. Close the bottle and place it in a warm location to macerate for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the bottle daily during the maceration period. Afterward, strain the liquid and compost the herbs. Store the tincture in a cool, dark location.

Using Jamaican Dogwood

• Jamaican dogwood works best when taken in sufficient, frequent dosages rather than small amounts. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends dosages of 3 to 4 cups daily of Jamaican dogwood decoction, and for the tincture, 5 to 30 drops 3 times a day.

Jamaica Dogwood Precautions

• Only use Jamaica dogwood under the supervision of a healthcare provider. It is a powerful sedative and not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Numbness, tremors, salivation and sweating are indications of Jamaican dogwood overdose; seek medical attention immediately if these symptoms occur. Interactions with other medications are unknown; therefore, consult your doctor before taking Jamaican dogwood if you are taking any other medications.