Ciliosemina
Ciliosemina pedunculata

Family: Rubiaceae

What it is like

Found in South America, Ciliosemina pedunculata is a small tree about 4.5 m tall. The bark is a source of quinine, a medication used for malaria. It also lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, slows the heart, and relieves sore throat.

Ciliosemina pedunculata is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 3

Where it is found

Not known

S. America - northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Found in South America. Northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador and Venezuela.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 4

The bark is a source of quinine. Quinine contains the alkaloids quinine and quinidine. It is a very effective treatment for fevers, and especially as a treatment and preventative of malaria. The bark is a bitter, astringent herb that lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, is antimalarial (the alkaloid quinine) and slows the heart (the alkaloid quinidine). The bark is made into various preparations, such as tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures and powders. It is used internally in the treatment of malaria, neuralgia, muscle cramps and cardiac fibrillation. It is an ingredient in various proprietary cold and influenza remedies. It is also used as a gargle to treat sore throats.

Antispasmodic: Relaxes muscular spasms and cramps, calming nervous irritation.

Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.

Cardiac: Used in the treatment of heart problems.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

Malaria: Treats malaria - an acute febrile illness caused by Plasmodium parasites spread to people through the bites of mosquitos.

Mouthwash: Treats problems such as mouth ulcers.

Other

Rating: 0

How it is grown

Not known

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Shrub

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth:

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Ciliosemina pedunculata

Synonyms

Cinchona pedunculata H.Karst. Ladenbergia pedunculata (H.Karst.) K.Schum. Remijia pedunculata (H.Kar