Cinchona
Cinchona officinalisThe cinchona tree appears on Peru’s coat of arms, standing for the country’s plant wealth.
What is Cinchona?
Cinchona (Cinchona officinalis) is a plant of the Rubiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Andes. Part used: bark.
What is Cinchona used for?
Traditional use: Grows in the Andean cloud forests. Scientific evidence: clinical. The quinine in its bark was the main malaria drug for centuries.
Is Cinchona safe?
Safety label: high risk. Do not use the bark or quinine on your own: it can cause ringing in the ears, hearing loss, heart rhythm problems and blood disorders (cinchonism). The amount in tonic water is very low.
Traditional use
Grows in the Andean cloud forests. The bark is said to have been used against shivering and fever.
In the 17th century Jesuit priests brought the bark to Europe; as “Jesuit’s powder” it became the first effective malaria medicine.
In nature
Mix-up risk
“Cinchona” covers several species with different quinine levels.
Preparation
Not recommended to prepare at home.
What science says
The quinine in its bark was the main malaria drug for centuries. Artemisinin and synthetic drugs have largely replaced it, but it is still used in some cases.
Safety
Do not use the bark or quinine on your own: it can cause ringing in the ears, hearing loss, heart rhythm problems and blood disorders (cinchonism). The amount in tonic water is very low.
Drug interactions
| Medicine or substance | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Heart rhythm drugs and drugs that prolong the QT interval | Risk of dangerous heart rhythm disturbance. |
| Blood thinners | Increases bleeding risk. |
| Diabetes medicines | Can lower blood sugar. |
| Mefloquine and other malaria drugs | Heart and nervous system side effects multiply. |
This list is not complete. If you take regular medication, ask your pharmacist or doctor before trying Cinchona.
Conservation
Culture bridge
Two traditions that beat malaria. The Andes’ cinchona bark and Asia’s wormwood became the two cornerstones of modern malaria treatment. Read the comparison →
Similar plants
Sources
- ResearchQuinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world: role in the treatment of malaria
- ResearchDiscovery of Cinchona as Antimalarial, Viceroyalty of Peru, circa 1630
- Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Cinchona officinalis
- Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.
Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe