Medicinal Plants of Cuba

Cuba has many plants with medicinal properties to cure a wide range of health conditions. The scarcity and high cost of pharmaceutical drugs due to the US trade embargo has resulted in a re-learning the herbal wisdom of generations past. In Cuba, even physicians now prescribe healing remedies that grows naturally from the soil.

Casimon Tree

• The heart-shaped leaves of the casimon tree can be applied externally to treat infected wounds. Medicine verde often uses hojas de caisimon in place of antibiotics.

Passionflower

• Passionflower can help against anxiety, insomnia and high blood pressure. It calms without affecting heart rate or mental function. The name "passionflower" was bestowed on the plant by early Christian missionaries who saw the petals, rays, and sepals of the brightly colored flower as symbolizing the crucifixion.

Copal

• Familiar in the US primarily as a type of incense, copal is used by Cuban doctors as a reliable anti-microbial agent. Copal also has anti-inflammatory,astringent, disinfectant, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative and stimulant properties. It can be used as an insect repellent and to treat dysentery, burns, headache, nosebleed, fever, and for stomach ache.