Quassia (Quassia amara)
Synopsis of quassia
Quassia refers to the bitter wood of Quassia amara (native to South America and the Caribbean) or Picrasma excelsa (from Jamaica and other Caribbean regions), both members of the Simaroubaceae family. It is known for its intensely bitter compounds, especially quassin and neoquassin, which give it potent digestive, antiparasitic, antifungal, and insecticidal properties.
Traditionally, quassia is used to stimulate digestion, enhance appetite, and expel intestinal parasites such as pinworms and roundworms. Its bitter principles stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, making it useful in treating dyspepsia, sluggish digestion, and constipation. Quassia is also used in liver and gallbladder support formulas, where it encourages bile flow and detoxification.
In topical preparations or as a rinse, quassia extract is used to combat lice and scabies, and it has been included in herbal remedies for skin eruptions, fungal infections, and inflammatory scalp conditions. It is generally taken as a decoction, tincture, or bitter tonic, and is sometimes included in vermifuge blends or digestive bitters.
Historical Use in Medicine:
Quassia has a long medicinal history in the West Indies, South America, and Europe. It was first introduced to European medicine in the 18th century after being brought from Suriname by a freed African slave named Quassi, who used it as a powerful remedy for fevers and parasites—hence the botanical name Quassia amara in his honor.
In European herbalism, quassia quickly became a well-regarded bitter tonic and anthelmintic (worm-expelling) agent. It was included in pharmacopoeias throughout the 18th and 19th centuries for treating intestinal worms, liver congestion, anorexia, and indigestion. Its strong bitterness made it ideal for stimulating gastric secretions and improving bile flow, especially in individuals with poor appetite or slow metabolism.
In Ayurvedic and traditional African medicine, similarly bitter herbs with overlapping properties were used in much the same way—as digestive tonics, febrifuges, and internal cleansers—though quassia itself is not native to those systems.
Quassia is used for these health conditions
Acid Indigestion (Traditional)
Appetite (deficient) (Traditional)
Digestion (poor) (Traditional)
Gas and Bloating (Traditional)
Indigestion (Traditional)
Parasites (general) (Traditional)
Parasites (nematodes, worms) (Traditional)
Parasites (tapeworm) (Traditional)
quassia is used to support these body systems
Digestive System (Traditional)
Gastrointestinal Tract (Traditional)
Intestinal System (Traditional)
Liver (Traditional)
Stomach (Traditional)
