- Region
- South America
- Origin
- Tropical Andean forests of western South America
South America · Herb · № 31
Cinchona spp. (o.a. C. officinalis, C. pubescens)
Herb · South America
Cinchona bark
Cinchona spp. (o.a. C. officinalis, C. pubescens)
The bark contains quinine and other alkaloids. Quinine became an important antimalarial, but using the bark yourself is unsafe and is not malaria treatment.
Safety notes
Quinine and cinchona bark can cause serious side effects and interactions. Suspected malaria needs urgent medical care.
Cautions by tradition (2)
- Healing traditions of the Americas: Using bark yourself is unsafe and no treatment for malaria.
- Kallawaya healing in Bolivia: Quinine can cause serious side effects. Malaria needs a doctor.
Preparation
Historically, powdered bark was drunk in water for fever. Today use only medicines prescribed by a doctor.
Use in traditions
Many South American cultures used the fever-reducing bark before European contact. Jesuits brought the remedy to Europe in the 17th century, and the Indigenous contribution was long omitted from scientific accounts.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Healing traditions of the Americas
Attributed effects
Andean peoples used the bitter bark for fever and chills; Jesuits brought it to Europe as 'Jesuits' powder', where it taught people to fight malaria.
Preparation and amount
Historically ground bark in water or wine. Today only quinine on prescription.
Caution: Using bark yourself is unsafe and no treatment for malaria.
Kallawaya healing in Bolivia
Attributed effects
According to Bastien the healer Florentino Alvarez used the bark only for malaria and not for other fevers. Kallawaya healers took the bark to the building of the Panama Canal in 1905.
Preparation and amount
Do not prepare or use it yourself.
Caution: Quinine can cause serious side effects. Malaria needs a doctor.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Powder and kitchen