Haitian & Caribbean plants, C
Plants kept in the Haitian and Caribbean lineage — the archive's home shore. 49 plants, C.
- Cabbage (chou)
Brassica oleracea
Traditionally turned to for stomach ulcers, inflammation and wound healing.
- Cacao (kakao)
Theobroma cacao
Traditionally turned to for energy, mood and digestion.
- Caesarweed (kouzen)
Urena lobata
Traditionally turned to for skin conditions, wounds and inflammation.
- Calabash tree (pye kalbas)
Crescentia cujete
Traditionally turned to for headache, skin conditions and fever.
- Calendula / Pot marigold · Sowsi jaden (Kalandila)
Calendula officinalis
Traditionally turned to for abrasions, minor burns and sunburn.
- Calotrope (koton swa)
Calotropis procera
⚠ The milky latex is toxic and a fierce eye/skin irritant, and the plant carries cardiac glycosides — never taken internally without expert guidance.
- Caraway (Karavi)
Carum carvi
Traditionally turned to for digestion.
- Caribbean princewood (kenkina)
Exostema caribaeum
Traditionally turned to for fever, malaria and inflammation.
- Carrot (kawòt)
Daucus carota
Traditionally turned to for eye health, immunity and digestion.
- Cascara sagrada (Kaskaraj)
Rhamnus purshiana
Traditionally turned to for digestion and energy.
- Cashew (nwa kajou)
Anacardium occidentale
Traditionally turned to for skin conditions, kidney stones and digestion.
- Cassava (manyòk)
Manihot esculenta
⚠ Raw cassava is poisonous — it holds cyanogenic compounds and must be peeled, soaked, and thoroughly cooked before eating.
- Castor oil plant (maskreti)
Ricinus communis
⚠ The raw seed is poisonous — it holds ricin, a potent toxin, and chewing or swallowing castor seeds can be a medical emergency, especially for a child.
- Catmint (Katmènt)
Nepeta cataria
Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the nerves.
- Celery (seleri)
Apium graveolens
Traditionally turned to for digestion, blood pressure and detox.
- Centaury (Ti santore)
Centaurium erythraea
Traditionally turned to for digestion and energy.
- Chamomile (Kamomiy)
Matricaria chamomilla
Traditionally turned to for digestion, the nerves and the skin.
- Chaste tree / Vitex (Gatiye)
Vitex agnus-castus
Traditionally turned to for premenstrual syndrome and irritability.
- Chayote (militon)
Sechium edule
Traditionally turned to for blood pressure, kidney health and cholesterol.
- Chew stick (Lyann savon)
Gouania lupuloides
Traditionally turned to for dental hygiene, gum health and bad breath.
- Chickweed (apetit mawon)
Drymaria cordata
Traditionally turned to for inflammation, wounds and skin conditions.
- Chicory (Chikorè)
Cichorium intybus
Traditionally turned to for digestion, energy and cleansing.
- Chinaberry (lila)
Melia azedarach
⚠ The ripe fruit is poisonous and has killed children — never eaten, and kept away from little ones.
- Chinese rhubarb (Rubarb Lachin)
Rheum officinale
⚠ A strong laxative — short-term use only; long-term use can harm the liver and deplete potassium.
- Christmas bush (langchat)
Chromolaena odorata
Traditionally turned to for the skin.
- Cinderella weed (fèy depo)
Synedrella nodiflora
Traditionally turned to for wounds, inflammation and fever.
- Cinnamon (kanèl)
Cinnamomum zeylanicum
Traditionally turned to for immunity, cold and flu.
- Citronella (Sitwonèl bwa)
Cymbopogon nardus
Traditionally turned to for insect repellent, fever and digestive complaints.
- Cleavers (Gayet)
Galium aparine
Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.
- Climbing ivy · Lyè (grimpan)
Hedera helix
Traditionally turned to for bronchial congestion and productive cough.
- Clove (jiwof)
Syzygium aromaticum
Traditionally turned to for digestion, toothache and pain relief.
- Coat buttons (zèb kay)
Tridax procumbens
Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and aches.
- Coconut (pye kokoye)
Cocos nucifera
Traditionally turned to for nutrition, digestion and skin.
- Coffee (kafe)
Coffea arabica
Traditionally turned to for energy, digestion and headache.
- Coffee senna (pwa pyant)
Cassia occidentalis
Traditionally turned to for liver, fever and skin conditions.
- Coltsfoot (Zèb tou)
Tussilago farfara
Traditionally turned to for the skin and coughs.
- Comfrey (Konsonn)
Symphytum officinale
Traditionally turned to for the skin.
- Common wireweed (Ti lalo)
Sida acuta
Traditionally turned to for immunity and the skin.
- Corkystem passionflower
Passiflora suberosa
Traditionally turned to for the nerves and coughs.
- Cornelian cherry (Kòn seriz)
Cornus mas
Traditionally turned to for immunity and digestion.
- Cornflower (Ble koukouy)
Centaurea cyanus
Traditionally turned to for digestion.
- Cotton (koton)
Gossypium barbadense
Traditionally turned to for wounds, inflammation and fever.
- Cowslip / Common primrose (Primvè ofisinal)
Primula veris
Traditionally turned to for the nerves, coughs and cleansing.
- Cranberry (Kanebèj / Kranberry)
Vaccinium macrocarpon
Traditionally turned to for immunity.
- Cudweed (kamomi)
Gnaphalium viscosum
Traditionally turned to for cough, fever and inflammation.
- Culantro (koulant)
Eryngium foetidum
Traditionally turned to for digestion, fever and pain.
- Cure for all (la choy)
Pluchea symphytifolia
Traditionally turned to for cough, fever and pain.
- Custard apple (pye kachiman)
Annona reticulata
Traditionally turned to for fever, digestion and worms.
- Cutleaf groundcherry (kòk mòl)
Physalis angulata
Traditionally turned to for fever, inflammation and urinary tract.