Origin

Jamaica

Folk medicinal uses

Tea made in the usual way is thought to be of some use for "stoppage of urine" and "sourness of the stomach". Browne reported that the juice is a rough but cooling astringent and according to Boussingault's analysis it contains tannin, gallic acid and perhaps salts of acetic acid. The Jamaican uses find parallels in Maya medical practice; for "stoppage of urine" the juice of young shoots is recommended and this is also considered of use in constipation: for sudden diarrhoea the plant is boiled with calabash. In the Gold Coast the astringent sap is also used for diarrhoea and the sap and leaves are used in various ways as dressings for ulcers, cuts and burns. In Jamaica the juice of the plant is often drunk for "internal strains". Among uses mentioned by Barham are that of leaf juice for burns and of jam made with the fruit for coughs, hoarseness and to "allay the heat of urine". Thomson recommends roast plantain sucker as a poultice to be applied over a burn dressing of spirits, olive oil, lime water and turpentine.

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Origin:
Mexico
Medicinal  properties:
- Fruit is used to treat gall bladder ailments and diarrhea
- Fruit is rich source of potassium and carbohydrates

1) Asprey, G.F; Phylis Thornton/ Medicinal plants of Jamaica. Parts III & IV. – p. 62.

2) Armando González Stuart/ Plants Used in Mexican Plants Used in Mexican Traditional Medicine Traditional Medicine: Their Application and Effects In Traditional Healing Practices. - p. 141.