Brazilwood (Caesalpinia brasiliensis and related species).Plant Part Used: Wood.Dominican Medicinal Uses: The wood is traditionally prepared as a cold infusion and taken orally for diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney infections, women’s health conditions, menstrual disorders, poor circulation, uterine fibroids and cysts.Safety: No studies on the safety of this plant in humans have been identified in the available literature. However, a related species has shown relatively low toxicity in animal studies.Laboratory & Preclinical Data: The following activities have been reported in Caesalpinia species related to Brasil and may not reflect the bioactivity of Caesalpinia brasiliensis. In animal studies the seed kernel extract has shown antidiabetic and hypoglycemic activity and the leaf extract has shown muscle stimulant activity. In vitro, plant extracts have shown anticancer, antibacterial, antioxidant, antitumor and inhibition of nitric oxide formation, serine proteinase and xanthine oxidase effects.* See entry for Brasil in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.
(Spanish) Of the ancient tree Brasil, Brazile, Brazille, Brasille, Bresil, Brezil, Bresille, Brezille... brazil
Divi divi (Caesalpinia coriaria).Plant Part Used: Fruit (dried seed pod).Dominican Medicinal Uses: Fruit (dried seed pod): decoction, gargle or mouthwash, for sore throat, tonsillitis, toothache, oral inflammation or infection; decoction, douche, for vaginal infection, inflammation of the ovaries, venereal disease, menstrual disorders, pelvic pain and cleansing the reproductive system; decoction, orally, fever, inflammation and infection.Safety: Unknown; no information found.Clinical, Laboratory & Preclinical Data: No data identified in the literature. See Brasil for information on closely related species.* See entry for Guatapanál in “Part 3: Dominican Medicinal Plant Profiles” of this book for more information, including references.... guatapanál
n. any disease caused by parasitic fungi of the genus Blastomyces, which may affect the skin (forming wartlike ulcers and tumours on the face, neck, hands, arms, feet, and legs) or involve various internal tissues, such as the lungs, bones, liver, spleen, and lymphatics. There are two principal forms of the disease: North American blastomycosis (Gilchrist’s disease), caused by B. dermatitidis; and South American blastomycosis, caused by B. brasiliensis. Both diseases are treated with antifungal drugs (such as amphotericin).... blastomycosis
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