Description: Perennial “weedy” herb growing 3’-12’ tall. Some to most leaves are 3-lobed, loose branching cluster of yellow flowers at the tip of the central stalk. Bitter taste.
Where to find: clearings, roadsides, fields, pastures.
TRADITIONAL USES: In Central America it is used to prevent infection, treat intestinal parasites, malaria, fungus, ringworm and help regulate blood sugar levels. In the Caribbean, it’s commonly used to cure colds and flu. It is also used as an all-over pain reliever and for headaches.
Make a tea to:
–drink for malaria, amoebas, intestinal parasites
–use as a douche for vaginal infections and itching
–use as a soak or dab on fungus, ringworm, wounds, infections
–wash hair with it to kill head lice
–apply strained tea as an insecticide or fungicide on plants
Squeeze fresh leaves and rub juice directly on wounds, sores and skin conditions.
Jackass Bitters decoction for internal use: Boil 1 fresh leaf in a cup of water for ten minutes, let cool and strain out the plant material. Drink 1-3 cups daily for ? days (my guess is 3-4 days, but I couldn’t find this information).
Jackass Bitters decoction for external use: Boil a handful of fresh leaves in a gallon of water for ten minutes, let cool to warm, and bathe or soak affected body parts with/in it.
Jackass Bitters decoction for use as an insecticide / fungicide: Double the recipe above, triple-strain, and dispense from a spray bottle.
Jackass Bitters wound powder: To make wound powder, dry the leaves and stir in hot skillet until black, crumble to powder and strain out all large pieces. Pulverize further and strain again. Lightly cover sore, fungus or infection with glycerin or coconut oil to receive the powder and sift the powder onto the area until completely covered, bind with a cloth and leave on for several hours.
Jackass Bitters Tincture: Select clean dried jackass bitters leaves, breaking off any browned or bad parts. Drop them into a glass jar, filling it 1/3 to 1/2 full. More leaves make a stronger brew. Do not pack the leaves down.
Pour in vodka or rum to fill the jar all the way to the top, leaving no room for air. Put the lid on tightly and store in a dark cupboard. Shake it daily for a month to six weeks. It’s not a problem if you occasionally forget to shake it, but it’s a better tincture if shaken daily.
Strain through cheesecloth and store in dark dropper bottles or clean glass jars.
If you are avoiding alcohol use, pour the dose into hot tea and the alcohol will evaporate leaving just the active ingredient.
Adult dose is 1/2 to 1 teaspoon up to three times a day as needed. Kids only need 1/4 to 1/3 the adult dose.
After making a decoction or infusion, compost the remains or make a poultice with them. To make a poultice, fold the moist mass into a cloth like a tamale and tie it to the affected body part.
Much of the information on this page was learned through studies with Rosita Arvigo, who wrote the book Rainforest Remedies.