Jamaican Dogwood

Piscidia piscipula

Evidence: TFamily: Fabaceae

Pregnancy:AvoidNursing:AvoidChildren:Avoid

A Caribbean tree bark used for nerve pain, insomnia, and muscle spasm. Potent — PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY in small doses. Contains rotenone-related compounds.

Herb Card

🛡️

Get Personalized Safety Info

Sign in and complete your health profile to see safety warnings personalized to your age, sex, medications, conditions, and allergies for this herb.

Safety Quick Reference

Pregnancyunsafe

Breastfeedingunsafe

Pediatricnot recommended

Contraindications: Pregnancy. Heart conditions. Depression. SMALL DOSES ONLY — toxic in excess.

Interactions: May interact with sedatives, opioids, and cardiac medications.

Drug & Medication Interactions

If you take any medications, review these interactions carefully.

Known Interactions

May interact with sedatives, opioids, and cardiac medications.

Contraindications

Pregnancy. Heart conditions. Depression. SMALL DOSES ONLY — toxic in excess.

Check Your Medications Against This Herb

Side Effects

Drowsiness, numbness. TOXIC in large doses: nausea, tremors, respiratory depression.

How to Prepare Jamaican Dogwood

Alcohol TinctureModerate · 4-6 weeks (passive)

Equipment

Glass mason jar with lid, High-proof alcohol (80-100 proof vodka), Measuring cup, Cheesecloth or fine strainer, Dark glass dropper bottles, Labels

Instructions

1Fill a clean mason jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with dried herb (or 2/3 full with fresh herb).
2Pour 80-proof (40%) vodka over the herbs until the jar is full, covering herbs by at least 2 inches.
3Seal tightly and label with the herb name, alcohol type, and date.
4Store in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every day or two.
5After 4-6 weeks, strain through cheesecloth into a clean bowl, squeezing out all liquid.
6Pour the finished tincture into dark glass dropper bottles. Label with herb, date, and menstruum.
7Standard adult dose is typically 30-60 drops (1-2 dropperfuls) in a small amount of water, 2-3 times daily.

Tips

• Use at least 80-proof (40%) alcohol — this extracts both water-soluble and alcohol-soluble compounds.
• For resins and tough roots, use 100-proof (50%) or higher.
• Fresh plant tinctures use a higher ratio of alcohol to prevent spoilage from plant moisture.

Tinctures are concentrated — follow dosing guidelines carefully. Not suitable for those avoiding alcohol (use glycerites instead). Some herbs are only safe as tinctures in very small doses.

Alcohol tinctures last 3-5 years or more when stored properly in dark glass away from heat and light.

Personalized Guidance

Find herbs tailored to your needs

Our Herbal Support Finder matches you with herbs based on your wellness goals, health profile, and medications.

Try the Finder

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

The information on Healix Natural Solutions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice and is not a substitute for professional diagnosis, treatment, or advice from a licensed healthcare provider.

Back to Herb Library