Bush Medicine 101

These are some of the most common trees and vines.

Many have curative, medicinal properties.

Because many trees in this climate grow constantly, their timber is not marked with clearly defined growth rings, resulting in a fine grain wood highly prized for furniture making and construction.

Mahogany is a classic example of a rain forest wood so sought-after that plantations of it have been cultivated on West Indian islands; the tree, however, is not native to the region. Today, it's hard to find an island that doesn't have mahogany of some sort growing on it.

Most of the other trees aren't as familiar as mahogany but they all have their uses.

African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata): Also called flame of the forest, this fiery red tree's unopened buds squirt water when pinched. A popular ornamental from Africa.

Almond Tree (Terminalia catappa): Recognized by its spreading horizontal branches, this tree grows to 30 feet. It has large leathery leaves that turn red before falling. Its fruit is edible.

Autograph Tree (Clusia rosea): A West Indian evergreen whose large thick leaves were used for playing cards and writing paper by early Spanish explorers. The wood is used in construction and its leaves, bark and fruit have medicinal qualities.

Balata (Manilkara bidentata): the fruit is edible, the latex is used for gum.

Balasa (Ochroma pyramidale): the seed floss is used for stuffing pillows.

Banyan Tree (Ficus benghalensis): Named for Hindu traders named Banyan, these huge evergreens have aerial roots that help support the branches.

Bay Rum (Amomis caryophyllata): the leaves are used for bay rum.

Black Mangrove (Avicennia nitida): the heartwood contains lapachol.

Black Sage (Cordia cylindrostachya): the leaves are steeped to treat coughs and colds.

Bois Bande (both Parinari campestris and Roupala montana ): the bark has aphrodisiac qualities. known in Grenada as ìman's best friend.î

Calabash (Crescentia cujete): the fruit is made into ornaments.

Candle Tree (Parmentiera cereifera): From Panama, this tree has 1 to 3-inch fruits that have a waxy texture and look like hand-made candles. They also have an apple-like aroma.

Cannonball Tree (Couroupita guianensis): This is a strange-looking tree, kind of like Medusa of Greek lore, with long dangling branches holding 6 to 8-inch hard shelled cannonball-like fruit. The fruit pulp has a unpleasant odor. These fruit start as flowers that are pushed out of the tree bark.

Cassia (Cassia grandis): There are several different types, but the coral shower or pink cassia tree is the first one to bloom in the spring.

Casuarina (Casuarina equisetifolia): Also called the Australian pine, this coastal tree has long green needles year-round and grows to 100 feet. It's a popular windbreak but a line of them on a beach will also prevent turtles from reaching their nesting sites.

Chenet (Melicocca bijugo): the fruit is edible.

Cherry Guava (Eugenia floribunda): the fruit is made into preserves.

Coffee Tree (Coffea arabica): A small evergreen 12 to 15 inches tall, its berries ripen in the fall, about 1000 to a pound. It was introduced into the Caribbean in the early 1800s.

Cordia (Cordia sebestena): Also the geranium and geiger tree, this evergreen thrives where there is little water and it is salt resistant. A popular ornamental on the drier islands.

Crappo (Carapa guianensis): the seeds are a medicinal oil.

Divi-Divi Tree (Caesalpinia coriaria): This windblown tree is almost a national symbol on Aruba , Bonaire and Curacao . An evergreen capable of growing to 30 feet, it normally grows with a windswept look. Its pods containing tannin were once exported.

Fat Pork (Chrysobolanus icaco): the fruit is edible.

Flamboyant (Delonix regia): Also the flame tree, royal poinciana and flame of the forest. The national flower of Puerto Rico, the red blossoms begin in spring and last through summer. Its long brown pods have been used for necklaces.

Fustic (Chlorophora tinctoria): the wood is used for khaki dye.

Ginger Thomas (Tecoma stans): Also called yellow elder, yellow trumpet and yellow cedar. The official flower of the U.S. Virgin Islands, this evergreen can flower twice a year.

Hog Plum (Spondees monsoon): the fruit is made into jellies and preserves while the leaves can be made into a tea to stop diarrhea.

Incense (Portion guianense):; the bark exudate is burned for its smell.

Jumbie Bead (Erythrina spp.): the dried seeds are made into necklaces.

Lignum Vitae (Guaiacum officinale): Meaning wood of life, this is the heaviest of all woods and sinks in water. A popular source of resin, it has blue flowers in the spring. A slow growing tree, it can grow up to 30 feet.

Mahoe (Sterculia caribaea): the bark is used as a rope substitute.

Mahogany (Swietenia mahogani): Also called Dominican mahogany, this evergreen grows to 75 feet. It is a favorite for furniture, ships and cabinets.

Monkey Ear (Enterolobium cyclocarpum): Also called elephant's ear, it is known for its 3-inch, ear-shaped brown seedpods. The seedpods are used for necklaces or food. The wood is used for building, the bark for soap, medicine and tannin.

Obi (Trichilia trinitensis): the wood was made into cutlass handles.

Penny Piece (Lucuma multiflora): the fruit is edible.

Pois Doux (Inga spp.); the fruit is edible.

Quassia or Bitter Ash (Quassia amara): the wood is made into medicine, the leaves are an insecticide.

Red Mangrove (Rhizophora spp.): the bark is used for tanning material.

Rokoo Jab (Ryania speciosa): the stem and branch have insecticidal properties.

Sandbox (Hura crepitans): This large tree has a poisonous milky sap that may cause blindness. The seed capsules, looking like 3-inch pumpkins, explode when ripe. They were once used to hold sand for blotting ink, hence its name.

Seagrape (Coccoloba uvifera): the fruit is edible and also used as an astringent.

Silk Cotton (Ceiba pentandra): Also called the kapok tree, its seed floss is sued for stuffing pillows; used in baths to relieve fatigue and to counteract poisoning.

Tamarind (Tamarindus indica): The brown, sour fruit pulp is used for candy, preserves and drinks.

Tan-Tan (Leucaena glauca): Also called wild tamarind, this is a common roadside tree whose leaves and long brown pods are used to feed goats and cattle. However, horses and donkeys will lose their hair temporarily if they eat them.

Tirite (Ischnosiphon arouma): the leaves and stem are used for handicrafts.

Tree Fern (Cyathea spp.): used today mostly as an ornamental, the Caribs used the trees to preserve and carry fire.

White Cedar (Tabebuia heteropyhlla): for making posts and poles but also in shipbuilding.

Yellow Poui (Cybistax donnell-smithii): Also called the sunshine or gold tree. Know for its strong, durable wood and beautiful flowers. The rains often come after the tree flowers.

To find out out more about palm trees, link to:

Palms and palm-like trees

Vines, Shrubs & Herbs

Bamboo (Bambusa vulgaris/Grmaineae): made into vases, baskets, waiters, tables, blinds and trinket boxes.

Bow-String Hemp (Sansevieria thyrsiflora/Liliaceae): the fiber is woven or plaited for ropes, hats, bags and slippers.

Cachibou (Calathea discolor/Marantaceae): made into waterproof baskets.

Khus Khus (Vetiveria zizanoides/Gramineae): floor and table mats, hats, bags, coasters and blinds.

Sisal (Agave sisalana/Amaryllidaceae): fiber for ropes, twine, bags, mats and hats.

Supple Jack (Paullinia pinnata/Sapindaceae): used for fish poison, baskets, chairs and walking sticks.

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