Search Mi Heart
Rhytidophyllum tomentosum
A Jamaican plant whose dried leaves are made into a bush tea, traditionally used for colds and flu, the heart, breathing problems and digestion. It hasn't been studied in research.
What is Search Mi Heart?
- Plant family
- Gesneriaceae, the gesneriad family, which includes African violets
- Parts used
- The leaves, mostly dried, made into a tea
- Where it grows
- Native to the Caribbean and South America; first described from riverbanks in Jamaica
- Genus
- Rhytidophyllum
- Species
- tomentosum
Also called
Search My Heart, Search Me Heart
Regional names
Search-me-heart, Heart Bush, Heart Leaf
Older scientific names
Gesneria tomentosa
Traditionally used for
- Colds
- Flu
- Heart (traditional)
- Blood pressure (traditional)
- Asthma
- Chest congestion
- Indigestion
- Bush tea
Traditionally described as
- Folk remedy (not studied)
Health topics
Where Search Mi Heart appears in symptom search, and why. Being listed doesn't mean it's a proven treatment.
- Asthma and Wheezing
Traditionally used in Jamaica for asthma.
- Bloating
Traditionally used in Jamaica for bloating.
- Chest Congestion and Bronchitis
Traditionally used in Jamaica for bronchitis and chest congestion.
- Colds and Nasal Congestion
An anecdotal Jamaican remedy for colds.
- Fatigue
Traditionally used in Jamaica for energy and stamina.
- Heart Palpitations
Traditionally used in Jamaica to steady the heartbeat.
- High Blood Pressure
Traditionally used in Jamaica for high blood pressure.
- Immune Support (Colds and Flu)
An anecdotal Jamaican remedy for colds and flu.
- Indigestion
Traditionally used in Jamaica for indigestion.
- Poor Circulation
Traditionally used in Jamaica for circulation.
Traditions that use it
Caribbean Folk Medicine
A Jamaican bush tea used as an anecdotal remedy for colds and flu.
Safety
Who should avoid it
No research has tested its safety. A Jamaican herb seller advises talking to a doctor before using it if you:
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Have heart disease or high blood pressure
- Take heart or blood pressure medicines
What does the research say?
Traditional use
These are traditional uses, not proven treatments.
In Jamaica, search-mi-heart tea is an anecdotal remedy for colds and flu. 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried leaves are brewed in a cup of water, left to steep for about 10 minutes, and sweetened as desired. A 2021 review of Jamaican medicinal plants listed no research testing this use.[2]
Listed by the Natural History Museum of Jamaica under the common name search-me-heart.[3]
A Jamaican herb seller's website says search mi heart has been used for centuries in Jamaican folk medicine, including by the Maroons. It says many Jamaican adults remember being given the tea as children for colds.
The site lists these traditional uses:
- The heart: steadying the heartbeat and improving circulation
- Breathing problems: asthma, bronchitis and chest congestion
- High blood pressure
- Indigestion, bloating and stomach discomfort
- Energy and stamina
The site doesn't cite any research for these uses.[1]
The same site describes steeping 1 to 2 dried leaves in 2 cups of boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, or 15 to 20 minutes for a stronger tea. Honey, ginger or lime may be added. It also mentions herbal baths, tinctures and compresses made from the plant.[1]
In short
Its safety hasn't been studied; check with a doctor first if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or have heart disease or high blood pressure.
Sources
- [1] Search Mi Heart Tea — Herbhearts (Westmoreland, Jamaica)General reference
- [2] Antiviral Activity of Jamaican Medicinal Plants and Isolated Bioactive Compounds — Molecules · DOI: 10.3390/molecules26030607Peer-reviewed study
- [3] Common Name Database — Natural History Museum of Jamaica, Institute of JamaicaGeneral reference
This information is educational and traditional in nature, and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.