Quassia

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Quassia

Quassia (pronounced: kwah-see-uh) is a genus of flowering plants in the family Simaroubaceae. It is named after the Surinamese healer Graman Quassi, who used the bitter extract from the bark of a species of Quassia to treat fever and other ailments.

Etymology

The term "Quassia" is derived from the name of a Surinamese healer, Graman Quassi, who was known for his use of the plant's bark in medicinal treatments. The plant was named in his honor by Carl Linnaeus, the Swedish botanist who formalized the modern system of naming organisms.

Description

Quassia is a genus of plants that are native to the tropical areas of the Americas. They are known for their extremely bitter bark, wood, and leaves, which are used in traditional medicine. The most well-known species in this genus are Quassia amara and Picrasma excelsa, commonly known as bitterwood and Jamaica quassia respectively.

Medical Uses

Quassia has been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The bitter extract from the bark of the plant is used to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, dyspepsia, and malaria. It is also used as an insecticide and a digestive stimulant. However, it should be noted that while these uses are traditional, scientific evidence supporting these uses is limited.

Related Terms

  • Simaroubaceae: The family of flowering plants to which Quassia belongs.
  • Quassia amara: A species of Quassia, also known as bitterwood.
  • Picrasma excelsa: Another species of Quassia, commonly known as Jamaica quassia.
  • Traditional medicine: The practice of using natural remedies, including plants like Quassia, to treat various ailments.

External links

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