Peruvian Bark, Quinine
Cinchona calisaya
Family: Rubiaceae
What it is like
Peruvian Bark or Cinchona calisaya is an evergreen shrub or small tree up to 8 m tall and is a known medicinal plant used as a treatment for fevers and malaria due to quinine contents from the bark. However, consumption in high dosage should be avoided as it can cause various side effects such as headache, rash, abdominal pain, deafness, cinchonism, and blindness.
Cinchona calisaya is an evergreen Tree growing to 6 m (19ft) by 6 m (19ft) 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 and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 6
Where it is found
Cool, humid, mountain regions. Andean rainforests.
Western S. America - Bolivia, Peru.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Bolivia, Peru.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
Quinine, extracted from the bark of the tree, is used as a bitter flavouring in tonic water and carbonated drinks.
Inner bark: the bark that is found just beneath the tough outer bark of trees and shrubs.
Condiment: the various plants that are used as flavourings, either as herbs, spices or condiments.
Drink: not including plant saps, tea or coffee substitutes.
Medicine
Rating: 5
Peruvian bark has a long history of native use, especially as a treatment for fevers and malaria. Modern research has shown it to be a very effective treatment for fevers, and especially as a treatment and preventative of malaria. The bark contains various alkaloids, particularly quinine and quinidine. Up to 70 - 80% of the total alkaloids contained in the bark are quinine. The bark is a bitter, astringent, tonic 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. The liquid extract is useful as a cure for drunkenness. It is also used as a gargle to treat sore throats. Large and too constant doses must be avoided, as they produce headache, giddiness and deafness.
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.
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.
Mouthwash: Treats problems such as mouth ulcers.
Tonic: Improves general health. Slower acting than a stimulant, it brings steady improvement.
Other
Rating: 2
Other uses rating: Low (2/5). The powdered bark is often used in tooth-powders, owing to its astringency.
Teeth: Plants used to clean and care for the teeth.
How it is grown
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations from 400 - 3,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 24°c, but can tolerate 7 - 28°c. It can be killed by temperatures of 5°c or lower. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 3,000mm, but tolerates 1,400 - 3,800mm. Requires a well-drained, moist soil and a position in full sun or partial shade. It grows very poorly or not at all on soils that have been exposed to fire. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 6, tolerating 4.5 - 6.5. Plants start flowering after 3 - 4 years, and are uprooted and harvested after 8 - 12 years. In commercial plantations, the trees are coppiced when about 6 years old.
Propagating it: Seed - Nodal softwood cuttings. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a sandy soil.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
Care must be taken in the use of this herb since excess can cause a number of side effects including cinchonism, headache, rash, abdominal pain, deafness and blindness. The herb, especially in the form of the extracted alkaloid quinine, is subject to legal restrictions in some countries.
Its other names
Local names
Peruvian Bark, Quinine or Cinchona calisaya
Synonyms
Cinchona ledgeriana (Howard.) Bern.Moens. ex Trimen. Cinchona officinalis Auct.