Herbal Index

This information on herbs was developed by BHLP faculty members and consultants as an attempt to begin educating conventional health care practitioners about the use of herbs and supplements by ethnic groups in Boston. It formed part of the foundation for Herbal Tours, which began in April 2004, and are day-long postgraduate educational experiences. These tours consist of didactic presentations on cultural healing practices followed by visits to botánicas and conversations with ethnic healing practitioners. This guide also provides recommendations on other sources of herbal information.


Aloe Barbadensis
English: Aloe
Haitian Creole: Laloie
Spanish: Sábila

Annona Muricata
English: Soursop
Haitian Creole: Corossol
Spanish: Graviola, Guanabana, Guanavana, Guanaba, Anona de Broquel

Artemisia Absinthium
English: Wormwood, Silver Sage, Sage Brush
Haitian Creole: Absinthe
Spanish: Ajenjo, Yerba maestar, Absinthe, Istafiate, Estafiate

Citrus Aurantium
English: Bitter orange
Haitian Creole: Orange-sure
Spanish: Guanabána, Naranja agria

Crescentia Cujete
English: Calabash
Haitian Creole: Kalbas
Spanish: Higüero

Gossypium Hirsutum
English: Cotton Root Bark, American Upland Cotton, Upland cotton
Haitian Creole: Koton
Spanish: Algodon, Algodon Cimarron (Mexico), Algodon Silvestre (Mexico)

Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis
English: Hibiscus, Jamaica sorrel, Rose of China
Haitian Creole: Shoeblack, Jamaica, Rose kayenn, Haiti choeblak
Spanish: Puerto Rico-Marimoña, Candela

Lagenaria Siceraria
English: Bottle gourd, Calabash gourd, White flowered gourd
Haitian Creole: Lang siceraria, Kalbas, Kourvan
Spanish: Bujito, Pepino chino, Tecomate, Tecomatillo, Tula de Mate

Melissa Officinalis
English: Lemon Balm, Melissa Leaves, Bee Balm, Lemon Balm oil
Haitian Creole: Baume, Citronelle, Mélisse, Herbe citron
Spanish: Balsamita maior, Toronjil

Mentha Arvensis Piperascens
English: Brookmint, corn mint, wild mint, field mint, ginger mint, golden apple mint
Haitian Creole: Ti-baume
Spanish: Poleo Casero, Poleo

Momordica Charantia
English: Bitter Melon, Balsam apple, African cucumber, Balsam Pear
Haitian Creole: Papailla, Sorosi, Sorossie, Asorossi
Spanish: Antugua, Sorosi, Cundeamor, Kokouli, Pawoka, Pomme couli, Calaica

Musa Paradisiaca
English: Plantain, Pisang, Bananas
Haitian Creole: Banananye , Bannan’n Miske
Spanish: Bananito, Plantano macho

Ricinus Communis
English: Castor oil, African coffee tree,
Haitian Creole: Maskriti, Maskreti,
Spanish: Higuerilla, Ricino, Cawapat, Bofareira, Palma Christi

Ruta Graveolens
English: Castor oil, African coffee tree,
Haitian Creole: Maskriti, Maskreti,
Spanish: Higuerilla, Ricino, Cawapat, Bofareira, Palma Christi

Senna
English: Antbush, coffee senna
Haitian Creole: Bentamaré, Café bâtard, Casse-puante, Dartrier
Spanish: Bricho, Brusca, Frijolillo, Guanina

    Herbal information developed by:
    • Lana Dvorkin, RPh, PharmD
    • Julia Whelan, MS
    • Riché Zamor, MS, MPH, PhD
    • Jack Maypole, MD