Quassia

Other Names: Amargo, Bitter-Ash, Bitter Wood, Bitterwood, Bois Amer, Cuasia, Écorce de Quassia, Jamaican Quassia, Palo de Cuasia, Pao Tariri, Picrasma, Picrasma excelsa, Quassia amara, Quassia Amer, Quassia Bark, Quassia de Jamaïque, Quassia de Surinam, Ruda, Surinam Quassia, Surinam Wood.
Quassia is a plant. The wood is used as medicine.

Special Precautions of Quassia

• Quassia seems to be safe when taken in food amounts. But quassia might be UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal amounts. It can cause side effects such as irritation of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract along with nausea and vomiting. In very large doses, it could cause abnormal heart function; however, most people throw up before they get a high enough dose to cause heart problems. Long-term use can cause vision changes and blindness.
• It is not known if quassia is safe for use on the skin (including the scalp) or rectally.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Quassia is UNSAFE to take by mouth during pregnancy or breast-feeding. It can cause cell damage and nausea.
• Not enough is known about the safety of applying quassia to the skin or scalp during pregnancy or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
• Digestive tract problems or diseases, such as stomach or intestinal ulcers, Crohn's disease, infections, and many other conditions: In large amounts quassia can irritate the digestive tract. Don’t use it if you have one of these conditions.
• Digoxin (Lanoxin) interacts with QUASSIA
• Water pills (Diuretic drugs) interacts with QUASSIA
• Antacids interacts with QUASSIA

Benefits and uses of Quassia are

Quassia contains chemicals that might increase stomach acid and bile secretions, perhaps accounting for appetite stimulant and digestive effects. Other chemicals may have activity against bacteria, fungi, and mosquito larvae.

• Lice. There is some evidence that applying quassia tincture one time can kill head lice, but the lice sometimes come back. Some researchers suggest that two applications within one week might be more effective than a single application.
• Appetite loss (anorexia).
• Indigestion.
• Constipation.
• Fever.
• Intestinal worms.