Jamaican Quassia
Picrasma excelsa

Family: Simaroubaceae

What it is like

A tropical plant growing up to 25 m in height, Picrasma excelsa or commonly known as Jamaican Quassia can be found in Northern South America to Central America and the Caribbean. It is primarily cultivated for medicinal uses. The bark is used to reduce fever, improve appetite and digestion. It is also used against malaria and anorexia. Externally, it is used against lice, threadworms, and other parasites. Extract from the bark is also used as flavoring in food and drinks. Another use of the bark is for insect control for it has insecticide properties. The wood of Jamaican Quassia is soft, light, and easily split.

Picrasma excelsa is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) 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): 20

Where it is found

Hill pastures, relict woodland and along the sides of roads at elevations from 90 - 825 metres. Tropical forests and near water.

Northern S. America to Central America and the Caribbean.

Conservation Status: Status: Vulnerable A1cd

Countries/locations it is found in

Cuba; Dominican Republic; Haiti; Jamaica; Puerto Rico; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of, Africa, Central America*, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Guiana, Haiti, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mozambique, Puerto Rico, South America, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, West Indies,

How it is used

Food

Rating: 2

The bitter extract of the bark is used as a flavouring in drinks, baked goods, candy etc.

Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.

Medicine

Rating: 4

Jamaican quassia bark contains several medically active constituents including quassinoid bitter principles (including quassin); alkaloids; a coumarin, scopoletin; and vitamin B1. It is an intensely bitter, non-astringent, odourless herb that lowers fever, stimulates appetite and improves digestion. It is an effective parasiticide and is reputedly antileukaemic. Some of the quassinoids have been shown to have cytotoxic and antileukaemic actions. The strongly bitter principle in the bark supports and strengthens weak digestive systems, increasing bile flow plus the secretion of salivary juices and stomach acids. It is used internally in the treatment of a wide range of illnesses where digestion is a contributory factor, particularly convalescent debility, poor appetite and anorexia. Its bitterness has led to it being used in the treatment of malaria and other fevers. It is also used to rid the body of nematode worms. Used externally, it is a good lotion to get rid of parasites such as lice. It is also used in an enema to rid the body of threadworms and other parasites. The bark can be harvested as required throughout the year, and can be dried for later use.

Appetizer: Improves the appetite

Bitter: Increases the appetite and stimulates digestion by acting on the mucous membranes of the mouth. Also increases the flow of bile, stimulates repair of the gut wall lining and regulates the secretion of insulin and glucogen.

Febrifuge: Reduces fevers.

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

Parasiticide: Treats external parasites such as ringworm This should perhaps be joined with Parasiticide in

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses: The decocted bark is an effective insecticide against flies, red spider mites, aphids and woolly aphids. It is used as an insect repellent. The white to yellowish-white wood is soft, light, loosely grained, easily split.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Parasiticide: Kills external body parasites such as hair lice.

Repellent: Plants that are said to deter but not necessarily kill various mammals, birds, insects etc.

How it is grown

Prefers a fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive sandy loam.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Semi-ripe cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Some care needs to be exercised when ingesting this plant since excess doses can lead to gastric irritation and vomiting.

Its other names

Local names

bitter wood, bitter-ash, bitterved, bitterwood, bois noyer, jamaica quassia, jamaica quassiawood, jamaika-bitterholz, peste à poux, quassia, quassia amara, quassia da jamaica, quassia de la jamaique, quassia de surinam, quassie, simaroube officinale, simaruba, simarubabaum, surinam quassia.

Synonyms

Picraena excelsa (Sw.) Lindl. Quassia excelsa Sw.