Medicines of the Rainforest: Part 4

Jackass bitters is a widely used plant: a tea is used to treat intestinal parasites, malaria, fungus, ringworm, to wash wounds to prevent infection, and to wash the hair to treat head lice.

It is one of several plants which are used to treat diabetes. Several of these plants have been found in the laboratory to lower blood sugar in diabetic rats.

Remember castor oil? Since ancient times extracts of the leaves and seeds of the castor plant have been used as a laxative. Leaves are frequently crushed and used as a poultice for wounds. Caution: the seeds of this plant contain a deadly poison and only those experienced in using it should do so!

A cowfoot or "Ix kibix" vine along the plant medicine trail. Preparations from this plant have long been used to slow excessive bleeding after childbirth and to treat heavy menstrual bleeding. A tea from the bark is used as birth control, although use for nine months or longer may result in permanent infertility. See below!

This Amazonian vine (the large one, not the smaller one growing upon it) is called the "monkeyladder", and it is in the same family as the Ix kibix of Belize. Interestingly, the shamans of the Amazon have used this for centuries for birth control, and know that if it is used for more than six months or so it can cause permanent infertility!

It is fasinating that two cultures, thousands of miles apart, (and not connected on-line!) have developed the same use for related plants. And yet this plant has never been studied as a potential medicine.

The "lipstick plant", or annatto, used to be the source of pigment used in the production of lipstick. It is still used for food coloring. A leaf teat is used to treat diarrhea or bleeding ulcers, and leaf poultices are used on wounds.

Because of its coloring, the red hibiscus has been used to treat bleeding disorders, especially postpartum hemorrhage. It is also used to prevent miscarriage.

Senna - also called "piss-a-bed" in Belize. A leaf tea is used for urinary tract infections (which might indeed make you wet the bed!) and kidney ailments, and leaf juice is applied to ringworm. Experiments have shown activity against bacteria and fungus responsible for those infections.

Banana leaves are used as a poultice for burns by crushing them with a rolling pin and wrapping them around the burned area. Even hospitals have found this to be as effective as expensive products.

It has not been my intention to offer an exhaustive look at plant medicines - only to stimulate your curiosity and inspire your respect for the knowledge that has been passed down through the generations. There are a number of excellent books for further reading, and those serious about this topic can also attend the "Pharmacy from the Rainforest" workshops! Contact me at if you would like further information. -sb

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