Tree 3.7 m, secondary forest, 4 km south of San Andrés.

Uses: boil leaves in water, drink for aches and pains of navel; boil fruit with cinnamon, cloves, and avocado seeds, drink for menstrual cramps. Comerford 137, 23 Nov 1994.

----------

Whole plant: All parts have an essential oil used for toothache. Oil is similar to clove oil and is used in rubs with a butter made from Astrocaryum vulgare.

Fruit: Carminative, stimulant, digestive.
----------

Origin

Native to West Indies and tropical America; grown in Indian gardens; in Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Bangalore.

Action:

Berry oil and leaf oil— carminative and stimulant. The oil contains chiefly eugenol (65-80%) responsible for the herb’s effect on the digestive system and its pain relief properties; also for anaesthetic effect when crushed berries are applied topically.

1) COMERFORD, Simon C. Economic Botany. vol. 50 . -- p. 327 - 336 1996

2) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017.

3) Khare, C.P./ Indian Medicinal Plants. -- Nueva Dheli: Springer, 2007 . - p  488.