Cinchona officinalis
L.
Quinine, Cinchona bark
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Summary
Source: WikipediaCinchona officinalis is a South American tree in the family Rubiaceae. It is native to wet montane forests in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, between 1600–2700 meters above sea level. It is the national tree of Peru.
Description
A shrub or tree. The leaves are narrowly oval and 10 cm long by 4 cm wide. There can be short hairs on the veins underneath. The flowers are in groups at the ends of the branches. There are many flowers. The fruit is an oblong capsule 2 cmlong.
Edible Uses
Quinine, extracted from the inner bark of the tree, is used as a bitter flavouring in tonic water and carbonated drinks.
Traditional Uses
It is added to give a bitter flavour to "gin and tonic".
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
Lojabark has a long history of native use, especially as a treatment for fevers and malaria. Modern research has confirmed it to be highly effective for both purposes. The bark contains various alkaloids, particularly quinine and quinidine, with quinine accounting for up to 70–80% of total alkaloids. The bark is bitter, astringent, and tonic — it lowers fevers, relaxes spasms, acts against malaria via the alkaloid quinine, and slows the heart via the alkaloid quinidine. It is prepared as tablets, liquid extracts, tinctures, and powders. Internal uses include treatment of malaria, neuralgia, muscle cramps, and cardiac fibrillation. It is also an ingredient in proprietary cold and influenza remedies, and the liquid extract is used as a cure for drunkenness. The bark is used as a gargle for sore throats. Large or too-frequent doses must be avoided, as they can produce headache, giddiness, and deafness.
Known Hazards
Cinchona bark and its quinine alkaloids can cause cardiac sodium and potassium channel blockade, CNS and renal toxicity. Cinchonism trio: GI upset, headaches, and tinnitus. Ventricular arrhythmias, hypoglycemia, renal failure, respiratory failure, jaundice, death
Distribution
A tropical plant. In South America it grows between 1,600-2,700 m above sea level. It grows in wet mountain forests. In XTBG Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, Bolivia, China, Colombia, Ecuador*, India, Jamaica, Peru, Puerto Rica, South America, St Helena,
Cultivation
It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 14 - 23°c, but can tolerate 7 - 27°c. It can be killed by temperatures of 7°c or lower. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,500 - 3,500mm, but tolerates 1,400 - 4,000mm. 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 5.5 - 6.3, tolerating 4.8 - 7. 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.
Propagation
Seed. Nodal softwood cuttings. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in a sandy soil.
Other Uses
The alkaloid quinine, extracted from the bark, is used in hair oils, shampoos, sun-tan oil, and insecticides, as a vulcanizing agent in the rubber industry, and in the preparation of certain metals. Other uses rating: Low (2/5).
Other Information
It is a medicinal plant.
Notes
There are about 40 Cinchona species.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Cinchona officinalis, otherwise known as Lojabark, Quinine, red cinchona, cinchona bark, JesuitÕs bark, loxa bark, JesuitÕs powder, countess powder, Peruvian bark. Spanish: quina, cascarilla, cargua cargua, corteza coja.
References (9)
- Ambasta, S.P. (Ed.), 2000, The Useful Plants of India. CSIR India. p 124
- Brown, D., 2002, The Royal Horticultural Society encyclopedia of Herbs and their uses. DK Books. p 169
- Burkill, I.H., 1966, A Dictionary of the Economic Products of the Malay Peninsula. Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Vol 1 (A-H) p 545
- Kew Plants of the World Online
- PROSEA handbook Volume 13 Spices. p 275
Show all 9 references Hide references
- Seidemann J., 2005, World Spice Plants. Economic Usage, Botany, Taxonomy. Springer. p 98 (Synonyms confused)
- Sp. pl. 1:172. 1753
- Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 541
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
