QUASSIA AMARA - AMARGO.
 Common name
Surinam wood, amargo, kwassi, bitterwood, quassia wood, pau amarelo, pau quassia, quassia amarga, quassia, palo muneco, kvassia, bois amer, bitterholz, gorzkla, pao tariri.
Family
Simaroubaceae (Quassia family).
Overview
Amargo is a small indigenous tree to Suriname, 6 to 18 feet tall. The evergreen compound leaves mostly consist of 3 to 5 and often 7, uneven feathered, single leaves. The leaf stalk and - axis are winged, and the stem, stalks and nerves are red.
The racemes exist of beautiful small cherry-red flowers; out of each flower arise 5 oval, red-brown fruits which turn black as they ripen.
The fruits contain each a single seed.
The bark of quassia contains many phytochemicals, which are 50 times bitterer than quinine.
Amargo contains the phytochemical quassin, the bitterest substance found in nature. The bitterness threshold is 1: 60.000!
Quassiamarin, a phytochemical that has demonstrated antileukemic - and anti-tumorous properties is also found in this plant.
Quassia has prophylactic activity against lice.
It is used in cases of anorexia nervosa, is effective in chronic diseases of the liver and has anti - malaria activity.
For more on the phyto - chemicals and pharmacology visit our: "MAROWINA FACTS® DATA BASE"
Visit also our
APPLICATION & DOSAGE,
CHOLESTEROL -, HYPERTENSION -, DIABETES -, and TINCTURE pages.
Suriname's traditional medicine
Amargo is used for fever, dyspepsia, blennorrhagia, (excessive discharge of mucus) stomachache, liver disorders, malaria and as a tonic.
Also used as an insecticidal and as a laxative and appetite stimulant.
Hardiness
USDA zone 9 -11.
Propagation
Seeds and cuttings.
Culture
Full sun, has some drought tolerance.
Plant in frost free areas.
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