The Quina is tree is original from the Andes, it grows at elevations of 900 to 3,400 m. on sea level. It must not be confused with the Quinoa, also
original from the same area. The ancient peruvians used it rubbing or covering the wounds with the bark of the quina ground.
From the Quina is obtained the substance called "quinine", one of the most important contributions to medicine of all ages.
Tradicional way to extract quinine :
The part of the tree to be used is extracted with a machete or similar.
The pieces are collected and chopped in order to make them fit inside a bottle.
A tradicional brandy (aguardiente) and honey are added.
The final product after a long period of time healing until the quina releases its juices.
Its healing properties were known to the ancient Peruvians and it got famous in Europe by the Spanish in 1536, when applied to cure the wife of the
Viceroy of Lima, The Conde of Chinchón, that was how it received the official name of “Cinchona”, or “Bark of Cinchona”.
The Quina also saved The Vatican when malaria spreaded in Rome and killed 27 cardinals in the year 1629. The eldest son of Louis XIV The king of
France, also was cured by the quina. During the world war II, thousands of american soldiers with malaria were treated with quinine.
The quina tree has been depredated for centuries and scientists found how to produce artificial quinine. Now it’s hard to find a quina tree in its
natural habitat., it has been forgotten.
The quinine is also bitter tonic and astringent, which stimulates the body and appetite, improving gastric secretions and saliva. Currently, it is
used against the dangerous malaria, transmitted by mosquitoes.
For quinine, the fresh bark is detached from the branches and trunk beaten with a stick, and after drying for some time, the processing laboratories
extracting quinine in the form of a white powder.
Active ingredients of the Quina (I hope spelling is good) :
• Quinuclidine alkaloids. There are also minor alkaloids
• Tannins catechic (3 to 5%).
• Traces of essential oil.
• Organic acids, quinic acid.
Effects of quinine:
• Bitter glycoside alkaloids (alkaloids, glycoside triterpénlco).
• Anti-protozoan, anti-malaria (quinine), cellular toxicity.
• Stimulates the uterus after labor has begun.
• Antipyretic, for depression centers thermogenesis.
• class I antiarrhythmic.
• Astringent (tannins).
• Cytotoxic (alkaloids).
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