The Medicinal Herb Info site was created to help educate visitors about the often forgotten wisdom of the old ways of treating illnesses. Many of today's drugs and medicines were originally derived from natural ingredients, combinations of plants and other items found in nature.

We are not suggesting that you ignore the help of trained medical professionals, simply that you have additional options available for treating illnesses. Often the most effective treatment involves a responsible blend of both modern and traditional treatments.

We wish you peace and health!

Peruvian Bark

Scientific Names

Peruvian Bark

  • 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

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

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

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

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

Buy It! 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

Buy It! The Yoga of Herbs: An Ayurvedic Guide to Herbal Medicine, by Dr. David Frawley & Dr. Vasant Lad, Lotus Press, Twin Lakes, Wisconsin, Second edition, 1988.

Buy It! 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

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