Haitian & Caribbean plants, H–L

Catalpa longissima

Traditionally turned to for fever, inflammation and skin conditions.

Crataegus monogyna

Traditionally turned to for the nerves, energy and the heart.

Crataegus laevigata

Traditionally turned to for mild sleep disorders and nervousness.

Corylus avellana

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and energy.

Sida cordifolia

Kept with caution — no safe internal preparation.

Geranium robertianum

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and cleansing.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Traditionally turned to for hair care, menstrual disorders and fever.

Pinus occidentalis

Traditionally turned to for coughs, colds and bronchial congestion.

Humulus lupulus

Traditionally turned to for the nerves, energy and women's health.

Aesculus hippocastanum

⚠ Raw seeds and bark are poisonous — never eat them raw.

Capsicum frutescens

Traditionally turned to for digestion, immunity and pain.

Hyssopus officinalis

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and coughs.

Cetraria islandica

Traditionally turned to for immunity, digestion and the skin.

Erythrina corallodendron

⚠ Seeds and bark carry curare-like alkaloids that can paralyze; not for internal use without expert guidance.

Terminalia catappa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, liver and skin conditions.

Plectranthus amboinicus

Traditionally turned to for cough, fever and skin conditions.

Heliotropium indicum

⚠ Contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids that injure the liver — linked to veno-occlusive disease and liver cancer — and they absorb through skin as well as the gut, so even a poultice carries risk.

Neurolaena lobata

Traditionally turned to for immunity, the skin and cleansing.

Stachytarpheta jamaicensis

Traditionally turned to for fever, digestive complaints and intestinal worms.

Orthosiphon stamineus

Traditionally turned to for the skin and cleansing.

Abrus precatorius

⚠ The seeds hold abrin, one of the deadliest plant poisons — a single chewed seed can be fatal; never ingest any part.

Parkinsonia aculeata

Traditionally turned to for fever, inflammation and skin conditions.

Datura stramonium

⚠ A deliriant poison — every part holds tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine); ingestion or even careless skin contact can be fatal.

Juniperus communis

Traditionally turned to for digestion, energy and aches.

Corchorus olitorius

Traditionally turned to for nutrition, digestion and inflammation.

Alchemilla vulgaris

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and women's health.

Lantana camara

Traditionally turned to for fever, skin conditions and inflammation.

Lavandula angustifolia

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the nerves and the skin.

Allium porrum

Traditionally turned to for cough, cold and digestion.

Melissa officinalis

Traditionally turned to for nervousness and anxiety.

Cymbopogon citratus

Traditionally turned to for fever, colds and flu.

Lactuca sativa

Traditionally turned to for digestion, liver and detox.

Glycyrrhiza glabra

⚠ Not for pregnancy, high blood pressure, or heart/kidney conditions — glycyrrhizin can raise blood pressure and deplete potassium; avoid prolonged daily use.

Citrus aurantifolia

Traditionally turned to for fever, digestion and skin.

Tilia platyphyllos

Traditionally turned to for immunity, the nerves and coughs.

Leonotis nepetaefolia

Traditionally turned to for fever, inflammation and skin conditions.

Cyanthillium cinereum

Traditionally turned to for digestion, the skin and aches.

Haematoxylon campechianum

Traditionally turned to for fever, pain and skin conditions.

Luffa aegyptiaca

Traditionally turned to for skin conditions, digestion and constipation.

Levisticum officinale

Traditionally turned to for digestion, coughs and cleansing.

Cassytha filiformis

Traditionally turned to for cleansing and the hair.