Quassia Wood

Western Bulk Herbs – Quassia Wood

Quassia is considered a tonic, and is used for malaria, fevers, as a bitter digestive aid, an insecticide, for liver and gallbladder problems, snake bites, back spasms, hepatitis, as a blood cleanser, mild laxative, for diarrhea, intestinal worms, dysentery, dyspepsia, excessive mucus, expelling worms, intestinal gas, stomachache, anemia, for liver and gastrointestinal disorders, tuberculosis, kidney stones, and for gallstones.

Latin Name:
Quassia amara

Common Names:
Bitter ash, Suriname wood, amargo.

Parts Used:
Wood and leaves.

Properties:
Bitter, anti-diarrheal, and anti-parasitic

Traditional Uses:
Infusion, in capsules, or tincture.

Topical Uses / Applications:

Culinary Uses:
Not used in cooking.

Chemical Properties:
Quassin (gives Quassia it’s bitterness), phytochemicals quassimarin and simalikalactone D.alkaloids, coumarin, quassin, vitamin B1, quassinoid bitter principles

Folk Lore:

Cautions:
Do not use Quassia if you are pregnant. Consuming large amounts of Quassia can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and lead to vomiting.

*Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Resources:
PDR for Herbal Medicines, 2000. Medical Economics Company, Montvale, New Jersey.

The New Holistic Herbal. David Hoffmann, 1990. Barnes and Noble Books, New York.

A Modern Herbal, Mrs. M. Grieve, (Dover Publications, New York, 1971)

Major Herbs of Ayurvedic.Compiled by Dahur Research Foundation and Dahur Ayurvet Limited, Ghaziabad, India., 2002. Churchill Livingstone, London, England.

Chinese Herbal Medicine: Materia Medica, Third Edition, Dan Bensky and Andrew Gamble, 1986. Eastland Press, Seattle, WA.