By Grace Ademulegun
Cinchona is believed to derive its name from the Countess of Chinchon, wife of a Spanish Viceroy of Peru.
After contracting “an attack of fever” whilst visiting Peru in 1630, the Countess is alleged to have been cured by the cinchona bark.
The use of cinchona bark for treating malaria dates back to the 17th century when Jesuit missionaries introduced it to Europe. It was widely used before synthetic antimalarials were developed.
It is also known as “Jesuit’s bark” or “Peruvian bark” historically, reflecting its early use and discovery by Europeans and it played a crucial role in colonial health policies, as European colonial powers cultivated cinchona to protect their workers and soldiers from malaria.
Cinchona is a genus of flowering plants native to the Andean forests of South America, but it has been cultivated in many tropical regions due to its medicinal value ( for the production of quinine used in pharmaceutical industries); including East African highlands (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania), India, and Southeast Asia, where it thrives in cooler, elevated climates.
Some species of Cinchona include: Cinchona officinalis, Cinchona calisaya, Cinchona ledgeriana.
Cinchona bark contains chemicals called quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, and cinchonidine but quinine is particularly valued for its ability to kill the malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum.
Quinine has effects that help fight malaria and reduce heart palpitations. People use cinchona for cancer, hemorrhoids, malaria, muscle cramps, varicose veins, and many other conditions, but there is not enough scientific evidence to support these uses.
Traditionally used to reduce fevers, it can relieve muscle cramps in some cases, and is also used as a flavoring agent in tonic water.
Overharvesting in the past led to the depletion of wild cinchona populations. Cultivation programs have since been established. Synthetic quinine and newer antimalarials have reduced dependency on natural quinine, but the plant remains important in pharmaceutical and traditional medicine.
Related Posts
Quinine remains a key treatment for severe malaria and is listed on the World Health Organization’s List of Essential Medicines.
According to WebMD, Cinchona is likely safe when used as a flavoring in tonic water and alcoholic beverages. But it is possibly unsafe when used as medicine.
Cinchona contains quinine, which was banned by the US FDA
(US Food and Drug Administration) due to serious side effects. In large amounts, cinchona is likely unsafe and has been linked to fatal heart complications.
Although, Experts consider quinine safe to consume in small doses. The US FDA has approved up to 83 parts per million in carbonated beverages. The FDA also specifies that manufacturers must place quinine on the label for consumers to easily see.
Some people may experience allergic reactions to quinine. If this is the case, a person should avoid tonic water and any other products that contain quinine.
Quinine is advised to be avoided in certain situations such as:
Pregnancy: Cinchona is likely unsafe when taken by mouth during pregnancy. It might stimulate the uterus and cause birth defects. Avoid use.
Breast-feeding: Cinchona is possibly unsafe when taken by mouth while breast-feeding. Chemicals in cinchona can be passed to a nursing infant in breastmilk and cause toxic effects. Avoid use.
Stomach or intestinal ulcers: Don’t use cinchona if you have ulcers. It might increase the risk of bleeding.
Heart conditions such as long QT interval syndrome: Cinchona contains quinine and quinidine. These chemicals can cause an irregular heartbeat and might increase the risk of irregular heartbeat in people with long QT syndrome.
Myasthenia Gravis: Don’t use cinchona if you have myasthenia gravis. It contains quinine and quinidine, which might cause muscle weakness and make this condition worse.
Surgery: Cinchona might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of extra bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using cinchona at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Traditionally, cinchona has been prepared as a tea. But there isn’t enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of cinchona might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important.
The great portion of the medications available in the market either is natural or originated from natural products. Herbal medicines have advantages over modern medicines, including fewer side effects, cost-effectiveness, and affordability although it is advised to be taken in little quantity as it can become toxic as a result of its dosage.
