Guaiacum

Resin of the lignum vitae tree of the Caribbean, traditionally used in homoeopathy for stiff, aching joints and a dry, burning sore throat.

Guaiacum officinale is lignum vitae, a slow-growing tree of the caltrop family native to the Caribbean and northern South America. It bears blue flowers and orange fruits, and its wood is famously hard and heavy. A gum resin called guaiac is drawn from the wood, and the tree is now endangered from overharvesting.

Homoeopathy uses the resin. It is traditionally associated with the fibrous tissue around the joints: stiff, contracted limbs, rheumatic aching made worse by heat, and a constant urge to stretch. Homoeopaths also turn to it for a dry, burning sore throat with swollen tonsils.

• Stiff, aching joints
• Rheumatic pains
• Sore throat
• Swollen tonsils