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    Home»Herbs and Spices»Facts and benefits of Quassia
    Herbs and Spices

    Facts and benefits of Quassia

    By SylviaNovember 6, 2017Updated:November 6, 2017No Comments7 Mins Read
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    Facts and benefits of Quassia

    Quassia amara commonly known as Quassia, Bitter Quassia, Amargo, Bitter-ash, Bitter-wood, Jamaica Quassia, Bitter Bark, Quassia Bark and Quassia Wood is a small evergreen shrub or rarely a small tree native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, French Guiana and Guyana. It is a member of the Simaroubaceae family. Linnaeus named it after the botanist who first described it, the former slave from Surinam, Kwasimukamba, also known as Graman Quacy. He was a healer who supposedly discovered the medicinal properties of its wood and used it as a secret remedy for the cure of malignant fevers endemic to Surinam.

    Its species name, amara, is derived from the Spanish word amargo, which means “bitter.” The name fits since the bark of the tree contains quassin, a substance 50 times more bitter than quinine. In fact, it’s the bitterest naturally-occurring chemical known to exist. Although quassia bark is an ingredient in herbal bitters in moderate amounts, the presence of these highly bitter phytochemical makes infusions made with this herb very effective natural insecticide. It is the bark of the quassia amara tree that is used in herbal and homeopathic medicine. Generally the bark is sold in ground-up chips and used to produce tonic or tinctures. The tonics and tinctures are generally made by steeping the bark in cold water for extended periods of time. The tree’s resin is among the bitterest substances on earth, so it can also be used to flavor liqueurs, jams, and puddings. Fine shavings of quassia amara bark might also be used like hops to brew beer and ale.

    There are two varieties of the quassia amara tree that are used and grown for medicinal purposes. The West Indian type can reach heights of 100 feet (30.5 meters), while the South American variety is smaller, usually around 18 feet (5.5 meters) tall. Both types of trees are deciduous, with smooth gray bark and small flowers that produce black, pea-shaped fruit. The trees are almost never eaten by insects because of the intensely bitter resin in the trees’ bark.

    Plant Description

    Quassia is a small evergreen shrub or rarely a small tree that grows about 3 m tall (rarely 8 m) tall. The plant is found growing in tropical forests or near bodies of water. Quassia cannot tolerate frost, but the plant is partially drought tolerant. It prefers a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a partially shaded position. Bark is smooth, thin and dark brown or thick greyish brown transversed by reticulating lines. It is the bark of the quassia amara tree that is used in herbal and homeopathic medicine. The tonics and tinctures are generally made by steeping the bark in cold water for extended periods of time.

    Leaves

    Leaves are compound and alternate, 15–25 cm long, pointed at the apex narrowed toward the base, and pinnate with 3-5 leaflets, the leaf rachis being winged. The leaflets are opposite, oblong, acuminate and uneven at the base.

    Flower and Fruit

    Flowers are produced in a panicle 15–25 cm long. The flowers are small and pale yellowish green. The sepals are round to ovate, fused at the base and imbricate. There are 5 petals, 10 stamens and 5 carpels. The style is fused from bottom to top. Flowering takes place from October and November.  The fruit is a pea-sized drupe, which ripens from December to January. They are black, glossy, solitary, clavate and have a thin skin. Q. amara is used as insecticide, in traditional medicine and as additive in the food industry. Tree’s resin is among the bitterest substances on earth, so it can also be used to flavor liqueurs, jams, and puddings.

    Quassia Image Gallery
    Bark-of-Quassia-plant Bark-of-Quassia-plant
    Quassia-Bark-powder Quassia-Bark-powder
    Quassia-Chips Quassia-Chips

    Quassia-Flower Quassia-Flower
    Quassia-immature-fruit Quassia-immature-fruit
    Quassia-Leaves Quassia-Leaves

    Quassia-Plant Quassia-Plant
    Quassia-plant-Illustration Quassia-plant-Illustration
    Quassia-plant-Sketch Quassia-plant-Sketch

    Quassia-ripe-fruit Quassia-ripe-fruit
    Quassia-small-wood-chips Quassia-small-wood-chips
    Quassia-unripe-fruit Quassia-unripe-fruit

    Traditional uses and benefits of Quassia

    • Root Infusion can be used to reduce malarial fever.
    • Bark is boiled and the water drunk as an anti-diarrheal, as an anti-dysenteric, and as an antimalarial.
    • Softened inner bark is boiled, and the water drunk to treat colds, by the Guyana Patamona.
    • Bark and leaves are boiled, and the water drunk as an anti-pyretic.
    • Wood chips are decocted in lotions for persistent venereal ulcers.
    • Infusion of wood and fresh roots is used for refractory fevers, tonic, aperitive and febrifuge.
    • Stem is used in remedies for diseases of the spleen, liver (cirrhosis), and urinary tract.
    • Bark used as a blood purifier and for treating weak eyes of alcoholics.
    • In Surinam, stem is used to make bitters for reducing a fever.
    • Quassia has been shown to encourage the secretion of gastric juices, increase the appetite and aid digestion.
    • It has been used successfully in the treatment of anorexia nervosa and is also used in the treatment of malaria and fevers.
    • All parts of the plant can be used on their own or in combination to restore the appetite, stimulate digestion and combat fevers, including malaria.
    • Tea made from the infused leaves is used to bathe the skin of measles patients.
    • It is also used as a mouthwash after tooth extractions.
    • Decoction of the bark is used as a blood purifier and to treat malaria, diarrhea and dysentery.
    • Decoction of the inner bark is used to treat colds.
    • Stem and bark are used in remedies for treating diseases of the spleen, liver (cirrhosis), and urinary tract.
    • Bark is used for treating the weak eyes of alcoholics and, macerated in rum, as a vermifuge.
    • Combined with the macerated stem of Tinospora crispa in rum, cognac or absinthe, it is used to make a beverage for treating diabetes and albuminuria.
    • Decoction of the wood is used in lotions as a wash for persistent venereal ulcers.
    • Decoction of the bark and leaves is used as a wash to rid the skin of external parasites such as agouti lice and as a treatment for measles and smallpox.
    • Infusion of Quassia is also used as a lotion for pediculosis.

    Ayurvedic Health benefits of Quassia

    • Rheumatism: Use externally an infusion of bitter Quassia wood.
    • Alcoholism: Prepare a tea of bitter Quassia leaves and drink one cup regularly. It kills the appetite for alcohol.
    • Dandruff: Take bitter Quassia wood. Soak it in some water overnight. Now use this water as a scalp rinse for dandruff.
    • Stomach Problems: Take a cup made from Quassia wood. Put some water in it and leave overnight. Next morning drink it in empty stomach. It is a good bitter tonic for stomach.
    • Tonic: Take a cup made of Quassia wood. Fill it with water and leave overnight. It becomes a good bitter tonic for the stomach.
    • Worms: Add one tbsp of Quassia wood in one cup of boiling water and steep for 15 minutes. Take one cup regularly for a week.

    Culinary uses

    • Bitter principle found in the bark and wood is used as the basis of Angostura Bitters, which is used as a flavoring in gin-based drinks.
    • It is also used as a substitute for hops when brewing beer.

    Other Facts

    • Crushed leaves placed on body reputedly act as a mosquito repellent.
    • Decoction of bark and leaves used as a wash to rid skin of external parasites such as agouti lice.
    • amara is used as insecticide, in traditional medicine and as additive in the food industry.
    • Extracts of Quassia wood or bark act as a natural insecticide.
    • Extracts of Q. amara wood or bark are also used to flavor soft drinks, aperitifs and bitters which can be added to cocktails or to baked goods.
    • All parts of the plant, but especially the bark and young stems, can be used as an insecticide.

    Precautions

    • Excessive use may cause vomiting.
    • Long term use should be avoided.
    • Do not use during pregnancy (may cause uterine colic).
    • Use over prolonged periods of time may lead to weakened vision and total blindness.

    References:

    https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=28841#null

    https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/176962/

    https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxonomydetail.aspx?id=30632

    http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Quassia+amara

    http://botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/q/quassi01.html

    https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=QUAM

    http://www.theplantlist.org/tpl1.1/record/kew-2868415

    https://www.drugs.com/npp/quassia.html

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quassia_amara

    http://www.wholehealthnow.com/homeopathy_software/documents/rem_QuassiaAmara.pdf

    http://www.quasix.eu/pdf/4-2/Data_Quassia_1.pdf

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    Quassia Facts

    Quassia Quick Facts
    Name: Quassia
    Scientific Name: Quassia amara
    Origin Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brasil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, French Guiana and Guyana.
    Colors Black
    Shapes Small drupe 1-1.5 cm long, black, shining, solitary, globose, with a thin shell.
    Taste Very bitter
    Name Quassia
    Scientific Name Quassia amara
    Native Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brasil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, French Guiana and Guyana
    Common Names Bitter Quassia, Amargo, Bitter-ash, Bitter-wood, Jamaica Quassia,Bitter Bark, Quassia Bark, Quassia Wood
    Name in Other Languages Arabic:  Khashab alkawasia  (خشب الكواسيا)
    Chinese:  Kǔ mù (苦木) 
    Czech:  Kvasie hořká
    Danish:  Kvassia
    Dutch:  Biterhout, Bitterhout, Kwassie, Kwasi bita bluem knoppen
    English: Bitter ash, Bitter bush, Bitterwood, Couachi, Jamaican bark, Jamaican quassia, Lignum, Quassia, Quassia wood, Surinam Quassia, Amargo, Picrasma, Ruda, Simaruba, Surinam Wood
    Finnish: Surinaminkvassia
    French:  Bois amer, Bois de quassia, Quassia de Cayenne, Quassia de Surinam, Quinine de Cayenne, Quinine du pays, Quinquina de Cayenne
    French Guyana Creole: Couachi, Quinquina de Cayenne.
    German:  Bitteresche, Bitterholzbaum, Bitterquassia, Fliegenholz, Fliegenholzbaum, Quassiaholz, Quassiaholzbaum, Quassie, Simarubabaum
    Guyana Creole: Bitter bush, Quashie, Bitters
    Guyana Patamona: Ya-ko-yik, Ya-ku-yik
    Hungarian:  Keserűfa, Keserű kvasszia, Légyölőfa
    Italian:  Abre camino, Legno della quassia, Quassia amaranome comune, Quassio
    Latin: Lignum Quassiae
    Polish:  Gorzkla
    Portuguese: Amargo, Leno de quássia, Marauba, Marupá, Murupa, Pau-amarelo, Pau-quássia, Quássia-de-Caiena, Quina, Quina de Caiena, Quinarana
    Spanish:  Crucete, Cuasia amarga, Cuasia surinamense, Guabo, Guavito, Guavito amargo, Guavo, Hombre grande, Hombrón, Leño amargo, Leño de cuasia, Palo amargo, Palo de cuasia, Palo muñeco, Quassia amara, Quina de Cayena, Suña de Cayeno
    Suriname Creole: Kwasibita, Kwasi bita, Kwasi bita bluem knoppen
    Suriname Sranan: Bitterhout
    Swedish:  Kvassia amara Surinam, Surinamkvassia
    Turkish:   Kassia ağaçı
    Plant Growth Habit Small evergreen shrub  or rarely a small tree
    Growing Climate Grows in tropical forests or near bodies of water. Quassia cannot tolerate frost, but the plant is partially drought tolerant
    Soil Prefers a fertile, moist but well-drained soil in a partially shaded position
    Plant Size 3 m tall (rarely 8 m)
    Bark Smooth, thin and dark brown or thick greyish brown transversed by reticulating lines
    Leaf Compound and alternate, 15–25 cm long, pointed at the apex narrowed toward the base, and pinnate with 3-5 leaflets, the leaf rachis being winged. The leaflets are opposite, oblong, acuminate and uneven at the base.
    Flowering Periods October and November
    Flower Flowers are produced in a panicle 15–25 cm long, each flower 2.5-3.5 cm long, bright red on the outside, and white inside
    Fruit Shape & Size Small drupe 1-1.5 cm long, black, shining, solitary, globose, with a thin shell.
    Fruit Color Black
    Flavor/Aroma Odorless
    Taste Very bitter
    Plant Parts Used Bark, leaves and wood

    Quassia Scientific Classification

    Scientific Name: Quassia amara

    Rank Scientific Name & (Common Name)
    Kingdom Plantae (Plants)
    Subkingdom Tracheobionta (Vascular plants)
    Infrakingdom Streptophyta  (land plants)
    Superdivision Spermatophyta (Seed plants)
    Division Magnoliophyta (Flowering plants)
    Class Magnoliopsida (Dicotyledons)
    Subclass Rosidae
    Order Sapindales
    Family Simaroubaceae (Quassia family)
    Genus Quassia L. (quassia)
    Species Quassia amara L. (quassia wood)
    Synonyms
    • Quassia alatifolia Stokes
    • Quassia amara f. paniculata (Engl.) Cronq.
    • Quassia amara var. grandiflora Hemsl.
    • Quassia amara var. paniculata Engl.
    • Quassia crocea Vahl
    • Quassia officinalis Rich.
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