Jamaican Dogwood

BotanicalBest before bedBest taken with food

What is it

Jamaican Dogwood (Piscidia piscipula, also called Piscidia erythrina) is a tree native to the Caribbean and southern Florida. Its bark has been used traditionally for pain, anxiety, and insomnia.

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Insomnia / nerve pain

Mixed Evidence

Traditional use only. No published controlled human trials demonstrate efficacy. Safety concerns make it a poor first-line choice.

How it works

Jamaican Dogwood bark contains isoflavones, rotenoids (such as rotenone-like compounds), and other constituents. Traditional and animal-model use suggests sedative and antispasmodic activity, possibly through interactions with the central nervous system, though the precise mechanisms in humans are not well defined. It has historically been used as a sleep aid and for nerve-related pain, but rigorous human trials are essentially absent. Many of its active constituents are structurally related to natural insecticides, which is part of why dose and quality matter so much.

Dosage

No standardized dose has been established. Traditional herbal references suggest 1-2 g of dried bark or 2-4 mL of tincture (1:5 in 25% alcohol) up to three times daily, but these are historical recommendations, not clinically validated doses.

When and how to take it

Historically taken in the evening for sleep support, or as needed for nerve pain. Because it has sedative potential, it should not be combined with driving or operating machinery. Take with food to reduce stomach upset.

2 commercial forms

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Liquid tincture

The most common traditional form; allows small, controlled doses.

Alcohol-based extracts are absorbed quickly via the oral mucosa and stomach.

Dried bark / capsule

Sold as a powdered bark or in capsules, often combined with other 'sleep' or 'pain' herbs.

Standard oral absorption.

Safety

Jamaican Dogwood is potentially toxic at high doses. Side effects can include sweating, tremors, slowed heart rate, and gastrointestinal upset. Some constituents are structurally similar to rotenone, which has neurotoxicity concerns. It is not 'generally recognized as safe' for food use and should be considered a restricted herbal product.

Who should be cautious

Should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. People with heart conditions (including bradycardia or heart failure), low blood pressure, or who take sedatives should avoid it. Not for children. Stop use well before any planned surgery.

Interactions

Jamaican Dogwood may add to the effect of sedatives, anti-anxiety drugs, antidepressants, anesthetics, and alcohol. It may also amplify effects of antihypertensive and antiarrhythmic medications. Combinations should be avoided without medical supervision.

Frequently asked questions

Is Jamaican Dogwood safe?⌄

Not without caution. At higher doses it can cause cardiovascular and neurological side effects, and several of its constituents have toxicity concerns. It is best used only under guidance from a clinician familiar with botanical medicine.

Does Jamaican Dogwood actually help with sleep?⌄

It has a long traditional use as a sedative, but there are no high-quality human trials confirming its effectiveness.

References

Jamaican Dogwood on Wikidata — Wikidata link

Jamaican Dogwood on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Jamaican Dogwood (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.