Botanical Overview

Quassia amara belongs to the family Simaroubaceae and is commonly known as Bitterwood, Quassia, Amargo, and Amazaquine. It is native to regions including the Caribbean, Central and South America, and the West Indies. The primary parts used medicinally are the wood, bark, and root.

Energetics

Quassia amara is considered cooling and drying in temperament with a distinctly bitter taste. It is tonifying with actions primarily focused on the qi aspect of physiology.

Primary Actions

• Bitter
• Choleretic
• Antimicrobial
• Antiparasitic
• Digestive tonic

Indications

Western

• Dyspepsia
• Constipation
• Loss of appetite
• Intestinal parasites
• Skin infections

Syndromes

• Digestive insufficiency
• Parasitic infestations
• Poor bile secretion

TCM

Not documented.

Ayurveda

Not documented.

Unani

Not documented.

Constituents & Mechanisms

Main phytochemical constituents include quassinoids, alkaloids, bitter principles, limonoids, and flavonoids.

Dosage & Preparations

• Decoction of wood or bark: 1-3 g 2-3 times daily
• Tincture 1:5 (40% ethanol): 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
• Powdered bark or wood: 1-3 g daily

Safety & Contraindications

Use with caution in pregnancy and lactation due to insufficient safety data. Excessive doses may cause gastrointestinal irritation, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid in patients with gastric ulcers.

Astrological Correspondences

No reliable data available on planetary or elemental rulers for Quassia amara.

Selected References

• Quassia amara Monograph – Plants For A Future (PFAF) Database
• WHO Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants, 1999
• Phytochemistry and Clinical Applications of Quassia amara – Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2011
• Assessment report on Quassia amara – European Medicines Agency, 2010