-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 Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.