Jamaican Dogwood

These are photos that I took during the process of pouring off a tincture of Jamaican Dogwood Bark that I had made.

The flavor of the tree bark is slightly smoky, woody and not at all that bad However it has been explained to be acrid and bitter and to produce a burning sensation in mouth with a strong disagreeable smell like broken opium. I don't find that it is extremely bitter and I haven't broke opium so I am not sure if this is true either. I also do not get a burning sensation but I do find that when the tincture is dropped into my mouth that there is a very slight warming effect.

Jamaican Dogwood tree has a very valuable wood. The pounded leaves and young branches are used to poison fish the method followed is to fill an open crate with the branches, drop it into the water, and swill it about till the water is impregnated with the liquid from the leaves, etc.; this quickly stupefies the fish and enables the fishers to catch them quickly.In 1844 attention was called to its narcotic, analgesic and sudorific properties which are uncertain.

---Medicinal Action and Uses---In some subjects it cures violent toothache, neuralgia and whooping-cough and promotes sleep, and acts as an antispasmodic in asthma. It also dilates the pupil and is useful in dysmenorrhoea and nervous debility. In other subjects it only causes gastric distress and nausea; over doses produce toxic effects.

---Preparations and Dosages---Fluid extract, 5 to 20 drops, which may be cautiously increased to 2 fluid drachms. Solid extract, 1 to 5 grains.