Scientific name
Quassia amara
Family
Simaroubaceae
Origin
Central America (Brazil)
Parts Used
Drug given by the bark
Chemical constituents
- Indole alkaloids;
- Terpenoids (quassin, picrasmin);
- Substances with bitter-tonic activity;
- Coumarins (scopoletin).
Quassia in Herbalist: Property of Quassia
Quassia wood is commercially available in pieces and is sold in pharmacies as an eupeptic; the most common use is for digestive purposes, quassia being a strongly bitter drug.
Contraindications
Avoid use in case of known hypersensitivity to one or more components.
Pharmacological interactions
- cardioactive drugs;
- anticoagulants;
- in relation to the presence of indole alkaloids, the empirical use of the plant and its derivatives is not recommended.