The North and South American countries, particularly Jamaica and Mexico, are known for their rich culture and traditional use of many natural shrubs. In this blog, we will be discussing one such wonder known as Jamaican Dog Blood Bush. Scientifically, we call it Rivina Humilis. It is also native to South Florida and tropical regions of the Americas. The plant has bright red berries, and for many years, the native has harnessed it for health benefits, especially for women. In recent years, the shrub has gained the limelight and attention of the rest of the world because of its association with women’s fertility, menstrual cramps, cough, cold, and diarrhea. Despite the potent health benefits, it is important to be careful if you are thinking of using it. Despite Jamaican people using it for many decades now, we need to do more research before establishing that it is safe and helpful.
Additionally, we will discuss about,
- Dog Blood Bush’s role in fertility and menstrual cramps.
- How to make Jamaican Dog Blood Bush tea
- What are the side effects, what are the right dosages, and how can people avoid them?
- Potential interaction with anti-inflammatory and blood pressure medicines.
What is Dog Blood Bush
- Dog Blood Bush is majorly found in Jamaica, South Florida, and the tropical region of the Americas. Scientifically, it is known as Rivina humilis. The plant has vibrant red berries and is known to provide many health benefits, especially to women.
- According to popular belief, the shrub can be effective in fertility, regulating and easing menstrual cramps. However, an extensive scientific study is still required to solidify these benefits.
Benefits of Dog Blood Bush
According to the beliefs of native peoples, the shrub can provide many health benefits, especially to women. These benefits are,
1. Fertility
In Jamaican folklore, the shrub is used to address fertility issues in women. According to a popular belief, it can,
Clear-Blocked Fallopian Tubes
- This can be a prominent issue that can justify the fertility issues in women.
- Dog Blood Bush has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be a leading cause of blockage clearing.
- As said, no scientific studies have backed up earlier on this benefit.
- It is also known to regulate the irregular menstrual cycle, which might increase the chances of conception.
2. Period Cramps
- According to a belief, the shrub also provides relief from menstrual cramps. This benefit might also point out the anti-inflammatory properties of Dog Blood Bush.
- The shrub’s effect on menstrual cramps is not backed up by any scientific proof. All of these benefits can be anecdotal and far from reality. As a precaution, always consult your healthcare advisor before using any natural supplement or medicine.
Also Read: Cuachalalate: Benefits, side effects, weight loss, Tea & more.
Jamaican Dog Blood Bush Tea
It is easy to enjoy the goodness of Jamaican Dog Blood Bush by making an herbal infusion. We will guide you through the necessary ingredients and steps to make the perfect herbal tea.
1. Ingredients
- Dried Jamaican Dog Blood Bush leaves and stems, Quantity: approximately one teaspoon per cup of tea (the amount can be adjusted if you want your tea to be strong).
- Water, Quantity: 1 cup
Optional Choices
Sugar or Honey
2. Procedure
Step 1: Take one and a half cups of water and boil it.
Step 2: In a separate boiler, add one teaspoon of dried Jamaican Dog Blood Bush leaves and stems. Pour the hot water over it and close the lid of the boiler for about 10 minutes.
Step 3: In the meantime, all the goodness of the herb gets infused in the hot water.
Step 4: Strain and discard the leaves and stems of Jamaican Dog Blood Bush.
Step 5: At this point, you can add honey or sugar for a hint of sweetness.
Step 6: The hot cup of goodness is ready.
3. Flavor
- The taste of this herbal infusion is a bit woody and earthy.
- When tasted by many people, some of them describe it bit bitter and some say it has a robust flavor.
4. Aroma
- The aroma of the tea is slightly spicy and earthy.
- Jamaican Dog Blood Bush tea often reminds you of root beer.
5. Can I Drink it Every Day?
- Due to the lack of scientific studies on Jamaican Dog Blood Bush, it is recommended that you consult a healthcare professional about the daily consumption of the tea.
- Moderation is also the key in this case. We rotate herbal tea consumption to avoid excessive daily consumption.
- If you have underlying health conditions or are pregnant, avoid consuming the tea. We have limited scientific data for the use of Jamaican Dog Blood Bush, and it is better to avoid it in any critical body condition.
Side Effects of Dog Blood Bush
Consuming it in appropriate amounts, as discussed with a healthcare expert, is considered safe for most humans. However, in some cases, one can feel certain side effects associated with Dog Blood Bush. These are,
1. Gastrointestinal discomfort
- This can be more prominent in sensitive people as they can experience symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, or abdominal cramps after consuming Dog Blood Bush.
- In some worst cases, the mild side effects can lead to liver damage.
2. Allergic Reactions
- These are very common as people can be allergic to the natural compounds.
- The symptoms of allergic reactions are itching, swelling, or redness of the skin. In severe conditions, it can escalate to respiratory discomfort.
3. Potential Build-Up of Betalains
This is not scientifically proven, but Jamaican Dog Blood Bush can lead to the build-up of Betalains.
What is Betalain?
These pigments are responsible for the red berries of the shrub.
Betalain Build-Up
Our bodies normally process and eliminate Betalains through urine and stool. When consumed in normal conditions, the build-up does not pose a threat to human health.
Point to Remember: It is very difficult to generalize the side effects of a natural shrub as they may depend on body types, genetics, etc. People with underlying health conditions and pregnant women should avoid it. Even if we are consuming Dog Blood Bush, we should always exercise moderation. To avoid any side effects and possible interactions with medicines, always discuss your case with a healthcare expert.
Interaction With Medicines
Like any other natural shrub, Dog Blood Bush can potentially interact with other medicines. The reduced efficacy and absorption of medicinal salt in the body are two main side effects of a possible interaction.
1. Blood Pressure Control Medicines
Dog Blood Bush is known to bring high blood pressure to normal levels. Blood pressure medicines also work by lowering blood pressure. Taking them together could lead to an excessive reduction of blood pressure, which can cause complications.
2. Anti-Inflammatory Medicines
The shrub has anti-inflammatory properties. This means it can reduce body inflammation, which anti-inflammatory medicines can further reduce. These effects can be undesirable and lead to adverse consequences.
Correct Dosing and People to Avoid
- Due to a lack of scientific evidence on Dog Blood Bush use, it is difficult to determine the “correct” dosage. However, it may depend on various factors, such as age, sex, and intention of use.
- As a recommendation: Consult a healthcare expert before start using it to gain any health benefits.
- People who should avoid using Dog Blood Bush include children, pregnant and breastfeeding ladies, and people who are on anti-inflammatory medicines or blood pressure medicines.
Conclusion
To summarise this blog, we want to emphasize the traditional health benefits offered by Dog Blood Bush, especially for women. The proponent believes that it can help with women’s fertility by clearing blocked fallopian tubes and regulating periods. The other most crucial health benefit discussed is aiding in reducing menstrual cramps. An essential point of consideration is that all of these health benefits can be anecdotal and are not backed by any scientific studies. To consume Dog Blood Bush, it is recommended that we consult with a healthcare expert.
The post Jamaican Dog Blood Bush: Traditional Use, Interactions, Dosing and Side Effects appeared first on Scripted Soul.
