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Overview: Jamaican dogwood is a tree called Piscidia piscipula. The bark of the tree is available as an over-the-counter dietary supplement. People take Jamaican dogwood for many reasons, such as trouble sleeping, pain, menstrual cramps, and anxiety. However, Jamaican dogwood has serious safety risks, and its benefits for any use are not well defined. Jamaican dogwood can be toxic and has been linked to reports of serious side effects and deaths. Check with your health care provider before using Jamaican dogwood, especially if you have any health conditions or take any medicines.

Uses

What is Jamaican dogwood used for?

Jamaican dogwood (P. piscipula) is used for various reasons, although its benefits are not well defined. Some common reasons for taking Jamaican dogwood include the following.

Note: The FDA has not reviewed Jamaican dogwood for safety and effectiveness. Learn more about dietary supplements here.

How does Jamaican dogwood work (mechanism of action)?

Jamaican dogwood is a tree called Piscidia piscipula, also known as Piscidia erythrina. It is also sometimes called Florida fish poison tree or fishfuddle. Jamaican dogwood supplements are usually made using the bark of the tree, especially the root bark.

Jamaican dogwood bark contains natural plant compounds called rotenoids (including rotenone), which are a type of isoflavonoid, along with other isoflavones. These are thought to be the main active ingredients. These compounds may slow down the activity in the brain and nervous system, which is why Jamaican dogwood has been used for trouble sleeping and anxiety. Jamaican dogwood may also relax smooth muscle, which could help ease menstrual cramps or pain. There are some claims that it may help with kidney stones, but there is no evidence supporting this use or any other use in humans. Overall, there is very limited scientific research on the plant itself.

One natural chemical found in Jamaican dogwood (among other plants) that has been studied extensively is rotenone. It has been used as a pesticide and fish poison. It works by blocking a part of the energy-producing system in cells called mitochondrial complex I. This effect can also be harmful to human cells, especially brain and nerve cells. Deaths have been reported after rotenone poisoning.

Long-term exposure to rotenone may also raise the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In fact, because rotenone causes many of the same brain changes seen in Parkinson’s disease, researchers commonly use it to study the disease in animals.

Herbal products such as Jamaican dogwood naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific product may vary from product to product. Some, none, or all of these chemicals may have effects on the body. These effects may change depending on how much of each chemical is found in the product you are using.

How should I store Jamaican dogwood?

You should store Jamaican dogwood according to the product label. Most dietary supplements should be kept in a cool, dry location that is out of the reach of children and pets and not in direct sunlight.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of Jamaican dogwood?

Jamaican dogwood has not been well studied in humans, so there is not enough research to know what the common side effects may be.

Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a supplement. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.safetyreporting.hhs.gov or by calling 888-SAFEFOOD (888-723-3366). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of Jamaican dogwood?

While less common, the most serious side effects of Jamaican dogwood are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Jamaican dogwood may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking Jamaican dogwood and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Nervous System Effects. Jamaican dogwood contains rotenone, a chemical that can be harmful to nerve cells. In lab and animal studies, rotenone has been shown to damage parts of the brain, including the nerve cells that help make a brain chemical called dopamine. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Severe dizziness
  • Confusion
  • Seizures
  • Muscle stiffness or a hard time moving
  • Tremor

Central Nervous System (CNS) Depression. Jamaican dogwood may slow down your central nervous system (CNS), which controls many vital functions throughout the body. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of CNS depression.

  • Confusion
  • Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
  • Memory problems
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Slowed response or reaction time
  • Slurred speech

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use Jamaican dogwood?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take Jamaican dogwood.

  • Fishfuddle
  • Florida fish poison tree
  • Jamaica dogwood
  • Jamaican dogwood
  • Piscidia piscipula
  • Piscidia erythrina
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific Jamaican dogwood products they stock.

What should I know about Jamaican dogwood before using it?

Jamaican dogwood is a dietary supplement. It cannot be marketed to treat or cure a disease.

Read and follow the directions on the specific product you are taking, or take it as recommended by your health care provider.

Keep Jamaican dogwood out of the reach of children.

Jamaican dogwood is available in different forms that are taken by mouth, including tinctures (liquid extracts), dried bark powder, capsules, and teas. Each of these forms may contain different amounts of the chemicals naturally found in the bark.

Jamaican dogwood bark naturally contains rotenone. Rotenone is a known toxin that has been used as a pesticide and fish poison. It can also be toxic to humans, and deaths have been reported after rotenone poisoning.

The amount of rotenone in Jamaican dogwood products can vary. Check with a health care provider before taking Jamaican dogwood. Do not take more than the amount recommended on the product label.

Herbal products, such as Jamaican dogwood, naturally contain many different chemicals. The amount of each chemical in a specific Jamaican dogwood product can change for many reasons, including the area where the plant was grown, the weather during growth, the time of year when it was harvested, and the way the plant was processed after being harvested. If you switch to a new bottle or a different brand, you may not have the same effects or side effects because of this variability. Talk to your health care provider if you have questions or concerns.

The FDA has not tested Jamaican dogwood products to confirm that they contain the ingredients stated on their labels. Some dietary supplements have been tested by third-party organizations to confirm that they contain the ingredients listed on their labels and do not contain any harmful chemicals. Learn more about how to choose a safe dietary supplement product here.

What should I tell my health care provider before using Jamaican dogwood?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. Also tell them if you have an upcoming surgery planned. Sharing this information will help your health care provider know if this or other supplements are right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Jamaican dogwood may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before using Jamaican dogwood, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Liver or kidney problems
  • Breathing problems
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Other conditions affecting the brain or nerves

Pregnancy. ​​It is not known if or how Jamaican dogwood could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Because of its possible toxic effects, Jamaican dogwood should not be used during pregnancy. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if Jamaican dogwood passes into breast milk. Because of its possible toxic effects, Jamaican dogwood should not be used while breastfeeding. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

Interactions

Does Jamaican dogwood interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between Jamaican dogwood and foods or drinks.

Drinking alcohol while taking Jamaican dogwood may increase the risk of drowsiness. It is best to avoid alcohol or limit the amount you drink.

Does Jamaican dogwood interact with medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Jamaican dogwood may cause drowsiness. Taking it with medicines that also cause drowsiness may increase this effect. Use caution when taking Jamaican dogwood with medicines that cause drowsiness, such as sleep aids, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, opioid pain medicines, and some antihistamines.

The interactions between Jamaican dogwood and medicines are not fully understood. As with most dietary supplements, the research on drug interactions with Jamaican dogwood is incomplete. Always check with your health care provider before taking Jamaican dogwood with any medicines.

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much Jamaican dogwood?

If you or someone else has used too much Jamaican dogwood, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

Jamaican dogwood comes in a range of forms, including tinctures, capsules, dried bark powder, and teas. Read the product label closely, and speak to a health care provider about how to use Jamaican dogwood safely. Do not take double or extra doses, even if you miss a dose.