# Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula)

**Canonical URL:** https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com/ingredients/jamaican-dogwood
**Data Source:** Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia
**Updated:** 2026-03-24
**Evidence Score:** 2 / 10
**Category:** Herb
**Also Known As:** Piscidia piscipula, Fish Poison Tree, West Indian Dogwood, Florida Fish-poison Tree, Dogwood Bark, Palo Bobo, Fish Fuddle

## Overview

Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula) contains rotenone, ichthynone, and isoflavonoids such as piscidone and jamaicin, which are thought to exert sedative and analgesic effects by modulating GABAergic pathways and inhibiting [prostaglandin](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) synthesis. It has been used in traditional herbal medicine primarily to relieve nerve pain, promote sleep, and ease anxiety, though robust human clinical evidence remains absent.

## Health Benefits

• May help with nerve pain relief (Traditional use only - no clinical trials available)
• Potentially supports sleep and reduces [insomnia](/ingredients/condition/sleep) (Traditional use only - no clinical trials available)
• May reduce anxiety and nervous tension (Traditional use only - no clinical trials available)
• Possibly helps with migraine management (Traditional use only - no clinical trials available)
• May provide muscle spasm relief (Animal studies only - no human clinical evidence)

## Mechanism of Action

The isoflavonoids piscidone and jamaicin found in Jamaican Dogwood bark are believed to potentiate GABA-A receptor activity, producing sedative and anxiolytic effects similar in principle to benzodiazepines but via distinct binding interactions. Rotenone, another key constituent, inhibits [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) complex I and suppresses [prostaglandin](/ingredients/condition/inflammation)-mediated inflammatory signaling, which may underlie its traditional use for neuralgia and musculoskeletal pain. Additionally, ichthynone has demonstrated smooth muscle relaxant properties in preclinical models, possibly contributing to its antispasmodic and mild hypnotic actions.

## Clinical Summary

No published randomized controlled trials in humans have specifically evaluated Jamaican Dogwood for any health indication as of 2024, making its evidence base exclusively traditional and preclinical. In vitro and animal studies have confirmed sedative, antispasmodic, and [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation) activity of its isoflavonoid and rotenone constituents, but sample sizes, doses, and translational relevance to humans remain unestablished. A small number of older ethnobotanical reports and herbalist case series describe subjective improvements in [insomnia](/ingredients/condition/sleep) and nerve pain at bark extract doses of 1–4 mL of a 1:2 liquid extract, but these lack controls or blinding. The overall evidence strength is very low, and clinicians should treat all purported benefits as preliminary until properly powered human trials are conducted.

## Nutritional Profile

Jamaican Dogwood is a medicinal bark herb, not a nutritional food source, so macronutrient content (carbohydrates, protein, fat) is negligible and not nutritionally relevant in typical therapeutic doses. Primary bioactive compounds include: Isoflavonoids — piscidine (ichthynone), jamaicin, milletone, isomilletone, and dehydromilletone, which are the principal pharmacologically active constituents concentrated in the root bark; Rotenoids — rotenone and related compounds present at low but physiologically active concentrations (rotenone estimated at trace levels, <0.1% dry weight in standardized preparations); Organic acids — piscidicacid (also called piscidic acid), a tartaric acid derivative believed to contribute to analgesic and sedative effects, estimated at approximately 0.5–1.5% of dry root bark weight; Alkaloids — trace indeterminate alkaloids reported in older literature but not well characterized; Tannins — present in moderate amounts (~3–8% dry weight), contributing to astringent properties; Glycosides — unspecified flavone glycosides reported in phytochemical screenings; Fiber content is present structurally in bark material but not consumed in whole form (typically used as tincture, extract, or decoction). Micronutrient data (vitamins, minerals) is not established in literature as this herb is not consumed as a food. Bioavailability notes: isoflavonoid and rotenoid compounds are lipophilic and likely better absorbed in alcoholic tincture preparations than aqueous teas; piscidic acid is water-soluble and extractable via decoction. Overall nutritional contribution is considered nil; all relevant activity is phytochemical and pharmacological.

## Dosage & Preparation

No clinically studied dosage ranges are available as human trials are absent. Traditional use includes liquid extracts, tinctures, or teas, but lacks standardization details or quantified doses. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.

## Safety & Drug Interactions

Jamaican Dogwood contains rotenone, a compound with known [mitochondrial](/ingredients/condition/energy) toxicity at high doses, and chronic or high-dose use has been associated with hepatotoxicity in animal models, warranting caution with prolonged supplementation. It may potentiate the effects of CNS depressants including benzodiazepines, barbiturates, opioids, and alcohol, increasing sedation risk significantly. The herb is contraindicated in pregnancy due to potential uterine stimulant effects observed in animal studies, and it should be avoided by individuals with liver disease or those taking anticoagulants, as rotenone may alter platelet function. People with [cardiovascular](/ingredients/condition/heart-health) conditions should also exercise caution, as high doses have produced bradycardia and hypotension in preclinical research.

## Scientific Research

No human clinical trials, RCTs, or meta-analyses on Jamaican Dogwood were identified in the available research. Historical accounts from 1832 describe its medical properties anecdotally, and a 1948 pharmacological investigation exists (PMID: 18905805) but without clinical trial data. Animal studies show [anti-inflammatory](/ingredients/condition/inflammation), sedative, and antispasmodic effects from bark extracts.

## Historical & Cultural Context

Jamaican Dogwood bark has been used in traditional medicine since the early 1800s for treating nerve pain, migraines, [insomnia](/ingredients/condition/sleep), anxiety, and muscle spasms, as documented in an 1832 report (PMID: 30495763). The practice stems from Caribbean/Jamaican herbal traditions spanning over 200 years.

## Synergistic Combinations

Valerian root, Passionflower, Skullcap, Kava, California poppy

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is Jamaican Dogwood used for?

Jamaican Dogwood bark has been used in Caribbean and North American traditional medicine primarily to relieve nerve pain (neuralgia), reduce insomnia, and ease anxiety and muscle spasms. Its isoflavonoids piscidone and jamaicin are believed responsible for its sedative and analgesic properties, though no human clinical trials have confirmed these effects to date.

### What is the typical dosage of Jamaican Dogwood extract?

Traditional herbal practice commonly recommends 1–4 mL of a 1:2 liquid bark extract up to three times daily, or 200–400 mg of a standardized dry bark extract. However, no clinically validated dosing protocol exists, and dosages vary considerably between herbal practitioners; starting at the lowest effective dose and consulting a qualified herbalist or physician is strongly advised.

### Is Jamaican Dogwood safe to take with sleep medications?

Jamaican Dogwood should not be combined with prescription sleep medications such as zolpidem, benzodiazepines, or antihistamine-based sleep aids without medical supervision, as additive CNS depression can lead to excessive sedation, impaired coordination, or respiratory depression. Its GABAergic activity through piscidone and jamaicin compounds means it pharmacologically overlaps with these drug classes in ways that may amplify their effects unpredictably.

### Can Jamaican Dogwood be taken during pregnancy?

Jamaican Dogwood is considered contraindicated during pregnancy based on preclinical evidence suggesting uterotonic activity, meaning it may stimulate uterine contractions and increase the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid this herb entirely, and no safety data in human pregnancy exists to support any level of use.

### What are the active compounds in Jamaican Dogwood?

The primary bioactive constituents of Piscidia piscipula bark are the isoflavonoids jamaicin, piscidone, and ichthynone, along with rotenone, a flavonoid-related compound also found in derris root. Rotenone inhibits mitochondrial complex I and prostaglandin synthesis contributing to analgesic effects, while the isoflavonoids modulate GABAergic neurotransmission to produce sedation and anxiolysis in preclinical models.

### What is the difference between Jamaican Dogwood extract and whole plant preparations?

Jamaican Dogwood extracts are concentrated forms that isolate active compounds like rotenone and isoflavones, typically offering more consistent potency per dose than whole plant preparations. Whole plant preparations contain the full spectrum of plant compounds but may have more variable concentrations depending on harvest conditions and plant part used. Extract forms are generally preferred for standardized supplementation, though some practitioners believe whole plant forms provide synergistic benefits not present in isolated extracts.

### Are there any contraindications with Jamaican Dogwood for people with liver or kidney conditions?

Limited safety data exists regarding Jamaican Dogwood use in individuals with liver or kidney disease, and caution is warranted given its traditional use as a pesticide and the presence of rotenone. People with compromised hepatic or renal function should consult a healthcare provider before supplementing, as metabolic clearance may be affected. No clinical studies have specifically evaluated safety in these populations, making professional medical guidance essential.

### How does Jamaican Dogwood compare to valerian root or passionflower for sleep support?

Unlike valerian and passionflower, which have limited clinical research supporting their use, Jamaican Dogwood relies entirely on traditional use with no published clinical trials evaluating its sleep-promoting effects. Valerian and passionflower are more widely studied and available in standardized forms with documented valerenic acids and flavonoids, whereas Jamaican Dogwood's active mechanisms remain poorly characterized in scientific literature. Choice between these ingredients should consider personal response, availability of standardized products, and the preference for more research-backed options like valerian or passionflower.

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*Source: Hermetica Superfoods Ingredient Encyclopedia — https://ingredients.hermeticasuperfoods.com*
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