The leaves and bark of yellow bells have been used by indigenous people for centuries to treat pain, fevers, and infections. Tea made from the inner bark is a tonic to aid in the treatment of diabetes, kidney aliments and rheumatism. Researchers have named the active ingredient tecomanine.
This colorful, tropical, native ornamental for your garden that doesn’t require dangerous pesticides or chemical fertilizers, nor lots of irrigation in the dry season. It’s called Yellow Bells or Yellow Elder (Tacoma stans). Costa Ricans call it vainicillo, or little vanilla.
