GUINEA HEN weed has a long history of use in herbal medicine in all the countries where it grows. Its botanical name is Petiveria alliacea. In Jamaica, it has several names - guinea hen weed, guinea hen leaf, garlic weed or gully root. Herbalists and natural health practitioners have traditionally used Guinea hen for a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, digestive disorders, infections, diabetes, cancer, pain relief and even to induce abortions.



Over the past quarter of a century, however, modern scientific research has studied Guinea hen intensively and many biologically active compounds have been discovered in the plant: flavonoids, triterpenes, steroids, and sulfur compounds. The research published on Guinea hen now validates many of the historical uses of this herb like

[  ] kills cancer cells

Laboratory investigations show that the Guinea hen retards the growth of several strains of cancer and leukaemia cells. In a plant screening programme performed at the University of Illinois at Chicago, more than 1,400 plant extracts were evaluated for the prevention and treatment of cancer. Guinea hen was one of only 34 plants identified with active properties specifically against cancer.

Guinea hens like astilbin and dibenzyl trisulphide have been documented to directly kill cancer cells. Research showed further that the compounds in Guinea hen were able to differentiate between normal cells and cancer cells, killing only the cancerous cells. In addition, other substances in the herb stimulate the body's natural defences 
 
[  ] stimulates the immune system

 Guinea hen has also been verified to have immunostimulant properties. It stimulates the immune system to increase its production of lymphocytes and natural killer cells - powerful disease-destroying cells. At the same time, it increases the production of interferon and interleukins - substances naturally produced by the immune system in fighting cancers and infections

[  ] fights infections 

 It demonstrates broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties against numerous bacteria, viruses, fungi and yeast. Compounds in Guinea hen directly kill and or inhibit the growth of these germs. Interestingly, many alternative medicine practitioners believe that infection plays a major role in many cancers. Guinea hen is widely used in folk medicine for treating infections
 
 
[  ] relieves pain

 Its traditional use as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism has been validated by clinical research that confirms its pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory effect. Guinea hen extracts have been found to relieve pain and inflammation even when applied topically to the skin.

[  ] lowers blood sugar - While the Guinea hen has not been widely researched for diabetes, it had been documented to lower blood sugar levels. This reflects herbal medical practice in Cuba where Guinea hen has been used as an aid for diabetes for many years.