-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Quassia amara (Bitter Bark)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Quassia amara, Picrasma excelsa

synonyms: bitter bark, quassia

part(s) used: chips of bark

qualities:

affinities:

actions: bitter stomachic and tonic, anthelmintic

dosage:

» cold infusion of 1/2-1 tsp. herb per cup of water; drink 1 cup three times daily

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

» powder: 300 - 600 mg.

therapy:

» internal: Giardia, roundworm, low appetite, convalescence, atonic dyspepsia, anorexia

» external: lice

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b

toxicity: 1

» contraindicated during pregnancy (McGuffin)

» potential narcotic (Duke, p. 399; Grieve)

» contains an intensely bitter sialagogue that may act as an emetic (Ellingwood, p. 272)

constituents: bitter: quassin; glycosides, alkaloids

footnotes

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Ellingwood, F. 1898. American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Grieve, M. 1971. A Modern Herbal, Vols. I and II. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

ze="8">American Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Pharmacognosy. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Grieve, M. 1971. A Modern Herbal, Vols. I and II. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.

McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.

n, FL: The CRC Press.