Botanical Overview
Cinchona officinalis belongs to the Rubiaceae family and is native to the Andean regions of South America, including Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia. The medicinally used part is primarily the bark, commonly known by names such as Jesuit’s bark, Peruvian bark, Quina, and China bark.
Energetics
This plant is considered cooling and drying in nature, with bitter and astringent tastes. It is tonifying and primarily supportive of the body’s qi.
Primary Actions
- Antimalarial
- Antipyretic
- Astringent
- Bitter
- Stimulant
Indications
Western
- Fever
- Muscle cramps
- Malaise
- Intermittent chills
- Night sweats
- Digestive sluggishness
Syndromes
- Malarial fevers
- Febrile illnesses
- Leg cramps
- Digestive weakness
TCM
No well-established traditional use.
Ayurveda
No well-established traditional use.
Unani
No well-established traditional use.
Constituents & Mechanisms
Major phytochemicals include several alkaloids such as quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine, which contribute to its antimalarial and stimulant properties.
Dosage & Preparations
- Powdered bark 1-3 g daily
- Tincture 1:5 40% ethanol, 2-5 mL 1-3 times daily
- Standardized extract containing quinine alkaloids
Safety & Contraindications
Cinchona bark can cause cinchonism (toxicity symptoms including tinnitus, headache, nausea) and should be used cautiously. It is contraindicated in people with hypersensitivity to cinchona alkaloids and should be used with caution during pregnancy and lactation under medical supervision. It may interact with antimalarial drugs, cardiac medications, and anticoagulants.
Astrological Correspondences
No reliable traditional astrological or elemental rulers identified.
Selected References
- World Health Organization Monographs on Selected Medicinal Plants
- Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects, 2nd Edition
- Phytotherapy: A Quick Reference to Herbal Medicine