Jacaranda (Jacaranda)
Jacaranda
Western Herbalism
Western Herbalism

Jacaranda

Jacaranda

Also known as Carob Tree, Caroba, Caaroba.

CoolingDryingTaste: Bitter

Jacaranda is a tropical tree native to Brazil and the Guianas, valued in South American folk medicine for its leaves, which were dried and prepared as an alterative remedy. It entered nineteenth century eclectic practice in North America as a specific for the late skin manifestations of syphilis, a use borrowed directly from its native reputation. It never achieved wide use outside this narrow niche and has essentially no presence in modern phytotherapy.

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Actions

AlterativeDepurativeBitter tonicAnti-inflammatory (traditional)Diuretic (mild)Antisyphilitic (traditional, unproven)Nervine (traditional, weak evidence)

Indications what the tradition reached for it in

Specific indications

Persistent skin eruptions or ulcerations attributed historically to late-stage syphilis, where the skin looks sluggish and unresolved

Cases of feeble constitution with excessive appetite, as noted by older eclectic writers, though this use has no modern basis

Safety

Pregnancy: Avoid in pregnancy due to a complete absence of modern safety data.

Breastfeeding: Avoid during lactation due to a complete absence of modern safety data.

The record lists 5 contraindications; open the plate in the library to read them in full.

In practice

Historical eclectic writers reached for caroba mainly in chronic, sluggish skin conditions thought at the time to represent tertiary syphilis, using it alongside other alteratives such as stillingia or sarsaparilla rather than alone. It was considered a supportive, slow-acting remedy rather than a primary treatment, reflecting the limited therapeutic options available for late syphilis before antibiotics. A secondary and much more speculative use, proposed by at least one eclectic author, was in epilepsy occurring in people of weak constitution with an unusually large appetite. This indication was never substantiated and should be regarded as a historical curiosity rather than a clinical recommendation. Given how little verified information exists, caroba is best understood today as a monograph of historical interest rather than a herb in active clinical use.

Dosing as the sources wrote it

PreparationAs writtenMetric
Fluid extract (1:1)1-2 mL three times daily1-2 mL
Dried leaf decoction2-4 g dried leaf daily2000-4000 mg
Dose, 5 to 20 drops.0.1-0.4 mL
Carobin, which resembles the active constituent of sarsaparilla, has been used in doses of 1 grain in syphilis and scrofula (Peckolt).64.8-64.8 mg
Fluid extract of jacaranda is given in doses of from 15 to 30 minims, 4 times a day, carobin, in 1-grain doses.0.92-1.85 mL

Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.

From the sources

Overview. Jacaranda is a tropical tree native to Brazil and the Guianas, valued in South American folk medicine for its leaves, which were dried and prepared as an alterative remedy. It entered nineteenth century eclectic practice in North America as a specific for the late skin manifestations of syphilis, a use borrowed directly from its native reputation. It never achieved wide use outside this narrow niche and has essentially no presence in modern phytotherapy.

Clinical Notes. Historical eclectic writers reached for caroba mainly in chronic, sluggish skin conditions thought at the time to represent tertiary syphilis, using it alongside other alteratives such as stillingia or sarsaparilla rather than alone.

Action and Therapy. In its native habitat carob is reputed antisyphilitic, but has attained no such reputation in this country. A few, however, have used it for the late manifestations of syphilis, as eruptions and ulcerations. Watkins suggested its use in the epilepsy of masturbators and in those of feeble mentality with voracious appetite.

Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.

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