botanical name(s): Cinchona
synonyms: Peruvian bark, Jesuits' bark, fieberrinde, Chinarinde, quina, quinquina
part(s) used: bark
qualities:
affinities:
actions:
dosage:
» powder: 0.3 - 1 g
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
pulse:
» full and open (Scudder, 1903, p. 153)
therapy:
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d
toxicity: 3; see Cinchona toxidrome
» contraindicated during pregnancy due to its uterine stimulant activity and abortifacient effect (Brinker, DeSmet, Lust, Farnsworth) and the oxytocic effects of its alkaloids quinine and quinidine (Brinker, Lewis and Elvin-Lewis, Farnsworth) and its teratogenic activity (causes visual and auditory defects) and the fetotoxic and fetocidal effects of its alkaloids (Lewis and Elvin-Lewis) or for use by lactating mothers since its alkaloids (quinine, quinidine) are excreted in breast milk (Brinker, p. 26)
» caution is advised in patients with history of recent surgery, diabetes, hypoglycemia, nephrotic syndrome, urinary tract infections, acute infectious hepatitis, leukemias, Graves disease, hypothyroidism or related genetic disorders (Langer and Greer, pp. 66 - 67)
» studies have shown possible goitrogenic response (Langer and Greer, p. 62)
» sensitivity reactions may occur and are characterized by edema, erythema, pruritus, vesiculation, bullae; hypersensitivity can result in dyspnea and laryngeal/pulmonary edema (Dreisbach, pp. 405, 410)
» contraindicated in cases of stomach ulcers or intestinal ulcers or amebic dysentery due to its gastrointestinal irritant effect (Felter & Lloyd)
» contraindicated in cases of acute inflammation with feverish conditions
or plethora (flushed, congested face) (Felter & Lloyd)
» contraindicated in cases of allergic hypersensitivity (DeSmet) since one third of patients are reactive to it (Brinker)
» contraindicated in in cinchonism where preexisting toxicity symptoms are present (Brinker, Felter & Lloyd) from overdosing or prolonged use
» contraindicated in cases of nervous irritation, vascular irritation, or
active hemorrhage (Felter & Lloyd)
constituents: catechins, alkaloids
drug interactions:
» potentiation of coumarin derivatives (DeSmet)
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
Dreisbach, R.H. 1980. Handbook of Poisoning: Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment, 10 ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Lange Medical Publications.
Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.
Felter, H. W.; Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Langer, P., and Greer, M.A. 1977. Anti-Thyroid Substances and Naturally Occurring Goitrogens. New York: Karyer, Greer.
Lewis, W.H., and Elvin-Lewis, M.P. 1977. Medical Botany. New York: John Wiley and Sons.
Lust, J. 1983. The Herb Book. New York: Bantam Books.