Piscidia Piscipula / Piscidia Erythrina is a herbal remedy used for:

1. Treating nerve pain, migraine, insomnia, anxiety, fear, and nervous tension.
2. Animal studies have shown that Jamaica dogwood may promote sleep, relieve pain, reduce smooth muscle spasms, relieve cough, and reduce fever and inflammation.
3. Traditionally used for neuralgia, particularly sciatica, tooth ache and rheumatism
4. An analgesic and spasmolytic, it is useful in painful conditions related to muscle spasm, including dysmenorrhea and muscle cramps and spasms

Caution:

• This herbal remedy should only be consumed for a short period of time.
• It is also not recommended for pregnant women, children, and senior people.
• While it is not toxic to human beings, taken in large dosages is known to cause a feeling of sedation.
• Jamaican dogwood is resistant to anesthesia; hence, if you have used it before any major surgery it is best to inform the doctor and postpone it by a few weeks. If you have a scheduled surgery please avoid using for 2 weeks prior.
• Jamaica dogwood has rarely been studied in humans, so there are no known scientific reports of interactions between Jamaica dogwood and conventional medications. However, Jamaica dogwood has sedative effects, and may increase the effects of other drugs or herbs used for insomnia or anxiety (called central nervous system depressants).
• DO NOT take Jamaica dogwood if you already take medications for anxiety or insomnia. Be sure to work a trained herbalist.
• Piscidia is contraindicated in pregnancy, bradycardia and cardiac insufficiency

Recommended Dosage: 

• 1-3 teaspoons of loose tea (or 3g up to 3 times) daily. If more than one herbal mixture is consumed at the same period of time, reduce the amount of tea accordingly.
• When herbs are used for an extended period of time, it is suggested to consume a herbal remedy with a ratio of 3 to 1.

 Some of my favourite combinations are:

• Insomnia – with valerian & passionflower, even California poppy (mild sedative)
• Pain – with corydalis (blocks pain signals from hitting our brain) & white willow bark (inflammation), add in some ginger too for circulation!
• Nerve pain – corydalis & Blue Vervain (relax nerves, relieve tension in muscles)