A plant bitter with multiple uses, strictly regulated

Quassia wood is known for its exceptional bitterness (more intense than quinine), which acts effectively as a digestive tonic. It is also used in organic farming as a natural insecticide, and in certain sweets or bitter drinks at low regulated doses. Its therapeutic use, although traditional, must be supervised by a healthcare professional.

Description

Wood cut into irregular fragments (1–3 cm), pale yellow to light brown in color, odorless, with an exceptionally bitter flavor. Dried, unground raw product, intended for professional processing.

Nomenclature

• Common name: Quassia, bitterwood, Suriname wood
• Latin name: Picrasma excelsa
• Family: Simaroubaceae
• Part used: Wood
• Shape: Cut (professional bulk)
• Origin: Central America, Antilles (Jamaica, Haiti)
• English name: Quassia wood
• German name: Bitterholz
• Name in Spanish: Madera de cuasia
• Name in Italian: Legno di quassia
• Name in Arabic: خشب القواسيا

Main virtues

Bitter, digestive tonic, vermifuge, febrifuge, natural insecticide (larvicide, repellent).

Main constituents

Quassin, neoquassine, bitter triterpene lactones, tannins, resins, picrasmic acid.

Professional use and dosage

• Digestive decoction (traditional use): 1 g of wood per 150 ml of water – boil for 10 minutes, 1 cup before meals. For adults only.
• Plant insecticide (biocidal use): 25 g/litre of water in maceration or decoction – to be sprayed (authorisation required).
• Food: regulated use as a flavoring – ≤ 5 mg/kg in non-alcoholic beverages (see EU directive).

Precautions, side effects and contraindications

• Use reserved for professionals or informed consumers.
• Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.
• Do not exceed the recommended doses – risk of gastric irritation, vomiting.
• Never use in children without medical advice.

History and traditional use

Imported to Europe in the ^18th century by Caribbean settlers, quassia bitterwood was quickly adopted as a febrifuge and digestive tonic. It is named after a slave healer from Suriname, Quassi. Today, it is still used in traditional health systems in Latin America and in some industrial bitter drinks (amaro, bitters).

Miscellaneous information

• Packaging: professional bulk – kraft bag or sealed box.
• Storage: away from air, heat and light.
• Shelf life: 24 months.
• TARIC customs code: 1211.90.86.00

Sources and references

• Directive 88/388/EEC – Food flavorings
• Wikiphyto – https://www.wikiphyto.org/wiki/Quassia
• Pl@ntUse – https://uses.plantnet-project.org
• EFSA – Safety evaluations on bitter compounds

Note to project creators and formulators:

Please note that we do not provide any technical documentation (datasheet, certificate, analysis, etc.) for quantities less than 1 kg. Documentation is reserved exclusively for registered professionals (SIRET number or equivalent required) and for clearly identified projects. Thank you for your understanding.

🔎 Information

The products on aromacentre.fr are not medicines. They are natural, plant-based treatments. All usage advice on our site is for informational purposes only. Any additional requests should be made to a qualified healthcare professional. In accordance with Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 December 2006 on nutrition and health claims made on foods, we are unable to publish this information on the site. Taking this product does not exempt you from consulting a doctor or prescribing it. Ask your doctor or healthcare practitioner for advice. Be sure to read the precautions for use before using any medicinal plants. The use of herbal preparations is not recommended without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with medications prescribed by the patient, reducing their therapeutic effectiveness or causing toxicity. They can also worsen the weakening of the body's vital functions, thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life-threatening risks.

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