Leaf: tea from boiled leaves drunk for "pain of bones" or used as gargle for sore throat

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Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

"For a tonic boil together a bundle of each of the following in 2 qts. water with 1/4 lb. sugar until reduced to 1 qt: Iron weed (P. spicatus); Chainy root (Smilax balbisiana); Sarsaparilla (Smilax regelii); Bryal wys (Smilax sp.); Strong back root (Morinda royoc); Wild pinder (Desmodium sp.); Coconut root or tiny coconuts (Cocos nudiera); Irish moss (Chondrus crispus - imported or Gracilaria sp.-local). Cool and strain. Add 1 bottle of port or sherry. 1 small bottle of "Phospherine" and 1/4 pt. of proof rum. Take 1 tablespoonful 3 times a day. The tonic may be sweetened with honey instead of sugar." This is the most complex recipe for a tonic which has come to our notice and there are numerous variations. Needless to say the expensive ingredients are often omitted but it may be of interest to note that the recipe was given to us by a domestic servant. In Panama P. spicatus is used to make a syrup for coughs.

1) Barret, Bruce Economic Botany vol. 48, nro. 1 .-- p. 8-20 1994

2) Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts III & IV. – p. 54.