Amargo, Bitter-Ash, Bitter Wood, Bitterwood, Bois Amer, Cuasia, Écorce de Quassia, Jamaican Quassia, Palo de Cuasia, Pao Tariri, Picrasma, Picrasma excelsa, Quassia amara, Quassia Amer, Quassia Bark, Quassia de Jamaïque, Quassia de Surinam, Ruda, Surinam Quassia, Surinam Wood.
Quassia is a plant. The wood is used as medicine.
Quassia is used for treating an eating disorder called anorexia, indigestion, constipation, and fever. It is also used to rid the intestines of various kinds of worms; as a tonic or purgative; and as a mouthwash.
Some people apply quassia directly to the scalp for lice.
Rectally, quassia is used for treating worm infestations.
In manufacturing, quassia is used to flavor foods, beverages, lozenges, and laxatives. The bark and wood have been used as an insecticide.
How does work?
Quassia contains chemicals that might increase stomach acid and bile secretions, perhaps accounting for appetite stimulant and digestive effects. Other chemicals may have activity against bacteria, fungi, and mosquito larvae.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Lice. Early research suggests that applying quassia tincture one time can kill head lice. However, the lice might come back. Some research shows that two applications within one week might be more effective than a single application.
- Appetite loss (anorexia).
- Indigestion.
- Constipation.
- Fever.
- Intestinal worms.
- Other conditions.
SLIDESHOW
ADHD Symptoms in Children See SlideshowQuassia is LIKELY SAFE when taken by mouth in food amounts. But quassia is POSSIBLY UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. It can cause side effects such as irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract along with nausea and vomiting. In very large doses, it could cause abnormal heart function; however, most people throw up before they get a high enough dose to cause heart problems. Long-term use can cause vision changes and blindness.
Quassia is POSSIBLY SAFE when used on the skin.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Quassia is LIKELY UNSAFE when taken by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It can cause cell damage and nausea.
There is not enough reliable information about the safety of applying quassia to the skin or scalp you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Digestive tract problems or diseases, such as stomach or intestinal ulcers, Crohn's disease, infections, and many other conditions: In large amounts quassia can irritate the digestive tract. Don't use it if you have one of these conditions.
Digoxin (Lanoxin)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Quassia is a type of laxative called a stimulant laxative. Stimulant laxatives can decrease potassium levels in the body. Low potassium levels can increase the risk of side effects of digoxin (Lanoxin).
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Quassia is a laxative. Some laxatives can decrease potassium in the body. "Water pills" can also decrease potassium in the body. Taking quassia along with "water pills" might decrease potassium in the body too much.
Some "water pills" that can decrease potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.
AntacidsInteraction Rating: Minor Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Antacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Quassia may increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, quassia might decrease the effectiveness of antacids.
Some antacids include calcium carbonate (Tums, others), dihydroxyaluminum sodium carbonate (Rolaids, others), magaldrate (Riopan), magnesium sulfate (Bilagog), aluminum hydroxide (Amphojel), and others.
Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers)Interaction Rating: Minor Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Quassia might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, quassia might decrease the effectiveness of some medications that decrease stomach acid, called H2-blockers.
Some medications that decrease stomach acid include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), nizatidine (Axid), and famotidine (Pepcid).
Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors)Interaction Rating: Minor Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Quassia might increase stomach acid. By increasing stomach acid, quassia might decrease the effectiveness of medications that are used to decrease stomach acid, called proton pump inhibitors.
Some medications that decrease stomach acid include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
The appropriate dose of quassia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for quassia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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Apers, S., Cimanga, K., Vanden Berghe, D., Van Meenen, E., Longanga, A. O., Foriers, A., Vlietinck, A., and Pieters, L. Antiviral activity of simalikalactone D, a quassinoid from Quassia africana. Planta Med 2002;68(1):20-24. View abstract.
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Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
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