Q Section
Quebracho, Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco
Quinine, Chincona pubescens, C. calisya, C. ledgeriana
Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco
Apocynaceae
Medicine: This South American evergreen tree's orange brown bark exudes a milky sap that is the drug. Yohimbine and of the chemicals in the drug, may stimulate sexual appetite. The bark drug is used as an appetite stimulant, to reduce fever, stimulate the respiratory system to treat bronchial asthma, bronchitis and as a genitourinary tract stimulant.
Chemistry: Alkaloids yohimbine, aspidospermine, akuammidine, quebrachamine. Also tannins.
Drug is available in many health food stores in powders, tablets, homeopathic preparations.
Chincona succirubra (Pav) Klotsch, C. calisya Wedd. C. ledgeriana (Moens) Trim
Rubiaceae
Food: Quinine water used to make mixed drinks.
Medicine: Native American medicine used traditionally to treat malaria. Also used in anorexia as an appetite stimulant, and to treat dyspeptic complaints (increases secretion of digestive juices). Bark extract was used to induce abortions.
Used to treat malaria and other febrile diseases. Anthelminthic (kills worms). Use may lead to anti-arrhythmnic activity.
Contraindications: Do not use during pregnancy. May elicit allergic reactions of the skin as itching, urticaria, contact dermatitis and eczema. Chronic use may cause headaches.
Chemistry: Quinolone alkaloids: quinine, quinidine, also tannins, triterpenes