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Peruvian Bark

Scientific Names


• Cinchona officinalis L.
• Cinchona calisaya L.
• Cinchona succirubra L.
• Rubiaceae
• Madder family

Common Names

Cinchona
Cinchona bark
Jacket bark
Jesuits’ bark
Yellow bark
Yellow cinchona
Yellow Peruvian bark
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Parts Usually Used

Bark
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Description of Plant(s) and Culture

Various species of the evergreen cinchona tree; the branches bear opposite, elliptic-obovate leaves and fragrant, rose or purple colored flowers resembling lilac blossoms. Cinchona bark, varying in color with each species, can be removed from the tree in strips without harming the tree.
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Where Found

Found in Peru and Equador, now grown more widely in tropical America, in India, and in the Orient.
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Medicinal Properties

Antiperiodic, aperient, astringent, febrifuge, oxytocic, tonic
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Biochemical Information

Catechins combined with 20 alkaloids which include quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine
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Legends, Myths and Stories

As is well known, quinine often causes deafness, but this bark used in its natural state is harmless. It exerts an excellent influence on the entire nervous system.
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Uses

The greatest value of Peruvian bark is in its quinine content, which makes it effective against malarial infection. Small doses are also good for fever (drink the tea freely for fevers), neuralgia, epilepsy, pneumonia, typhoid, diarrhea, dysentery, blood purifier, rheumatic pains, and for indigestion. Makes a good mouthwash and gargle for mouth and throat problems. It stimulates uterine contractions; should not be used during pregnancy; unless uterine contractions are desired to aid in a tardy delivery.
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Formulas or Dosages

Use in small doses only, preferably with medical supervision.

Cinchona bark may be taken as a powder, tincture, or in wine.

Infusion: steep 1 tsp. bark in 1 cup boiling water. Take 1/2 cup a day, no more than 1 to 2 cups total.

Tincture: take 5 to 30 drops at a time.
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How Sold

Tablets, capsules
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Warning

Peruvian bark stimulates uterine contractions; should not be used during pregnancy; unless uterine contractions are desired to aid in a tardy delivery. Use with medical direction and supervision only during pregnancy.
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Bibliography

American Folk Medicine, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973

Back to Eden, by Jethro Kloss; Back to Eden Publishing Co., Loma Linda, CA 92354, Original copyright 1939, revised edition 1994

The Herb Book, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.

Indian Herbalogy of North America, by Alma R. Hutchens, Shambala Publications, Inc., Horticultural Hall, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, 1973

Planetary Herbology, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992

The Yoga of Herbs, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Webster's New World Dictionary, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984

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