Ananas Comosus

Merr.

Pineapple (E); Osi (Cu); Pina (S); Shiju (Ch). Pineapple is cultivated in various parts of the lowlands of Panama, those from Taboga Island having been highly praised. Darien negroes cook the rind with rice, cream and sugar to make 'chicha de pina'. The rind is also an ingredient in 'mazamoro de platano'. Pineapples produced at Curiche in the humid Choco Department are excellent(!), although pineapples are probably adapted better to semiarid areas such as the Pearl Islands(!). Pineapple fares best in acid, organic, and well-aerated soils. the juice of the fruit is regarded as antiscorbutic, Cholagogic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emmenagogic, refrigerant, and useful in jaundice. The juice of the leaves is regarded as anthelmintic, ecbolic, emmenagogic, and purgative. Young vegetative buds are an ingredient in a medicine for respiratory ailments in Choco children. An excellent long-lasting fiber is obtained from the leaves.