Cinchona pubescens, reddish plant
Plant description
About 23 species are known. They are native to the mountainous regions of Central and South America. The trees grow up to 30m high with a slender trunk and densely leafy round crown.
The leaves are arranged in opposite directions, large, stalked and oval. The flowers grow in panicles, are also stalked, fragrant and the five sepals are pink, red or sometimes white. They develop capsule fruits which contain unilobal seeds after ripening. The name has nothing to do with the country China, but probably comes from the language of the natives where “kina-kina” means “bark of the bark”.
Medicinally used plant parts
Medically, stem and astral bark of trees from cultivated plants are used. Only after 6 years of growth can the harvest of the bark be started. The harvesting work is quite laborious because the bark is difficult to remove. Afterwards, the bark is first dried in the sun, later at 80 degrees in special facilities.
Ingredients
quinine, quinidine, tanning agents, quinic acid, bitter glycosides
Curative effect and application
Quinine from the cinchona bark became famous when it became known that it could have a beneficial effect on malaria. Today quinine is also produced synthetically. Quinine is a bittering agent which is used for flu and fever, but also to increase the production of gastric juice and to stimulate the appetite: Quinine should not be used during pregnancy.
Preparation
Tea made from cinchona bark: A level teaspoon of dried cinchona bark is poured over 1⁄4 l of boiling water and then left to steep for 10 minutes before straining. One can drink 3 cups unsweetened daily, half an hour before meals to stimulate the appetite.
Application in homeopathy
In homeopathy, China is an important remedy. One likes to give it after serious illness, in case of great weakness, exhaustion, drowsiness or loss of appetite. Patients are hypersensitive, irritable and unbalanced and complain about stomach and bile problems.
China can also bring relief from fever, headache, dizziness, palpitations and inflammation of the facial nerves. The complaints are aggravated by cold, draught, wetness and food, touch and at night. Heat improves. Common potencies are D2 to D6.
Side effects
Side effects are rare at conventional dosages. With cinchona bark tea there could be an increased tendency to bleed. The isolated quinine can lead to poisoning in sensitive patients even in small doses. Therefore, the application is not suitable for the layman.