Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 3

Cinchona has a long history of traditional use for treating chills, especially those associated with malaria. The bark of the Cinchona tree contains quinine, an alkaloid that was historically the primary treatment for malaria—a disease characterized by periodic fevers and chills. The use of Cinchona bark for chills dates back to the 17th century when it was introduced to Europe from South America. Indigenous peoples of the Andes region used Cinchona bark to reduce fevers and chills long before quinine was isolated and its antimalarial properties formally recognized.

While the scientific basis for Cinchona's effectiveness against malaria (and, by extension, malaria-related chills) is well-established, its use specifically for non-malarial chills has less direct scientific support. Most evidence for Cinchona’s effectiveness in treating chills comes from its ability to interrupt the fever-chill cycles of malaria through its antimalarial activity. Modern medicine has largely replaced Cinchona bark with purified quinine and synthetic antimalarials due to dosing accuracy and safety concerns.

In summary, Cinchona’s use for supporting or treating chills is justified primarily by tradition and historical context, with the strongest evidence relating to chills as a symptom of malaria rather than chills in general.

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