8025. Quassia

Nomenclature

Bitter wood; bitter ash.

Description and references

The wood of Picrasma excelsa (Sw.) Planch, or of Quassia amara L., Simaroubaceae. The first is known in commerce as Jamaica quassia, the second as Surinam quassia. Habit. Picrasma escelsa inhabits Jamaica and the Caribbean Islands; Quassia amara is a native of Brazil and Guiana and is cultivated in Colombia, Panama, and the West Indies. Quassin and neoquassin are the bitter principles of Surinam quassia; picrasmin, that of Jamaica quassia. These bitter pinciples are obtained in yields of 0.1-0.2% and appear commercially under the name of quassin.

Properties

Unground quassia occurs usually in chips, raspings, or shavings, occasionally in billets; yellowish-white to bright yellow with a few light gray pieces; coarsely grained, fibrous. Slight odor; very bitter taste. The powdered form is pale yellow in color.

Use

The extract is used for fly poison on flypaper; to imitate hops.

Therapeutic Category

Anthelmintic.

Therapeutic Category (Veterinary)

Has been used as a bitter, as an anthelmintic.