Table 2 Most common medicinal herbs and their reputed uses cited by public health sector physicians in Trinidad
Common name | Botanical name | Traditional medicinal uses identified | No. (%) of physicians citing |
|---|---|---|---|
Lemon grass | Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf. | Fever, common cold, blood purifier, headache | 34 (17.7) |
Gingko | Gingko biloba L. | Enhance memory, vertigo, dementia, impotence | 29 (15.1) |
Marijuana | Cannabis sativa L. | Asthma, glaucoma, anorexia, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, nausea/vomiting, analgesic antidepressant | 26 (13.5) |
Garlic | Allium sativum L. | Hypertension, fever, joint pain, cough, analgesic, anti-parasitic, kidney problems | 24 (12.5) |
Aloes | Aloe vera (Aloe barbadensis Miller) | Superficial wounds/cuts, dysmenorrhea, acid peptic disease, acne, skin purifier, peptic ulcer, constipation | 23 (12.0) |
Senna | Cassia senna L. | Laxative, antihelmentic, 'colon cleanser', 'blood purifier' | 19 (9.9) |
Noni | Morinda citrifolia Linn. | Hypertension, acne, diabetes, pain, immune system, prostate | 18 (9.4) |
Ginseng | Panax ginseng C.A. Mayer | Enhance stamina and memory, aphrodisiac | 17 (8.9) |
Echinacea | Echinacea purpurea L. Moench | Boost immune system, upper respiratory tract infections, common cold, acne | 15 (7.8) |
St. John's wort | Hypercium perforatum L. | Depression | 15 (7.8) |
Evening primrose oil | Oenothera biennis Nutt. | Hormonal imbalance in menopause, breast pathology and mastalgia | 11 (5.7) |
Saw palmetto | Serenoa repens (Bartram) Small | Benign prostatic hypertrophy | 11 (5.7) |
Wonder-of-the-world | Kalanchoe pinnata (Lam.) Pers. l | Swelling, earache, rash, mumps, cuts | 9 (4.7) |
Saffron | Curcuma longa L.l | Purgative, antiseptic, acne common cold, fever, cough antihistamine, menstrual problems, osteoarthritis | 9 (4.7) |