9 Surprising Search Mi Heart Bush Tea Benefits

Search mi heart tea is made from the leaves of the Rhytidophyllum Tomentosum plant. This shrub is endemic to Jamaica where natives call it Search mi Heart.

Variations of the local name are Search my heart, or Search me heart.

This is one of those Jamaican teas you may never have heard of. That is unless you are a hard core Jamaican.

Search mi heart is one of those plants withs a long history in Jamaican folk medicine.

Organic jamaican search mi heart herb
Jamaican Search Mi Heart

Search Mi Heart Tea Benefits

Search me Heart belongs to the Rhytidophyllum species. Some members of this species have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years.

Freash of dried Search mi heart leaves makes tea in Jamaica to relieve some common ailiments. It is regarded as one of the most popular Jamaican herbs for heart.

This was one of my favorite bush teas growing up. I just loved the strong smell of Search me heart bush in the air on those cool dewy Mandeville mornings.  

Search Mi Heart Benefits

  • Relieve Asthma
  • Cure Bronchitis
  • Clear Sinus Infections
  • Soothe Coughs
  • Shorten Colds
  • Ease Abdominal Pains
  • Reduce Fevers
  • Alleviate Menstural Cramps
  • Help Angina
search mi heart ltea leaves
Buy Search Mi Heart Tea

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How to Make Search Me Heart Tea

  • Add 3 cups of water to a saucepan-bring to a boil
  • 3 Search Mi heart leaves
  • Add the leave to boiling water and let boil for 5 to 7 minutes
  • Remove from and strain into a cup
  • Sweeten to taste
  • Serve hot
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What is Search Me Heart Herb?

Rhytidophyllum Tomentosum is a subtribe of the Gesneriaceae plant family. Gesneriaceae is made up of some 150 genera and 300 species.

The Rhytidophyllum genus has approximately twenty five species. Almost all of the species are endemic to the Caribbean.

Rhytidophyllum Tomentosumis endemic to Jamaica.

Search me Heart has thick long velvety green leaves and blooms light yellow flowers with dark-red to almost purple streaks inside. 

Search mi heart bush has long slender leaves with serrated edges.

Both the plants leaves and flowers are covered with sticky, hair-like projections. They can be irritating to the skin.

Rhytidophyllum Tomentosum which is really a small shrub likes to grow on rocky hillsides.

Rhytidophyllum Tomentosum Benefits

Although only of small amount of plants from the Gesneriaceae plants have been studied. The Rhytidophyllum is one of those examined.

And researchers have identified some 300 beneficial bioactive compounds in the plants they studied.

The compounds indentified include flavonoids, terpenes, steroids, phenolic glycosides, simple phenolics and more.

jamaican search mi heart flower

These chemicals are known to display antioxidants, anti-tumor, anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory properties.

So further studies may be done to detemine potential Search mi heart health benefits.

Where to Buy Search Me Heart

Dried Search Me Heart herb can be purchased from many online stores and marketplaces. Jamaican wildcrafted Search mi heart us available on Amazon and Etsy.com.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Nothing stated here should be viewed as medicial advice. Please consult with a Professional Healthcare Provider about matters relating to your medical care.