Quassia amara
Family: Simaroubaceae
Amargo, Bitter Ash, Bitterwood
Origin: South America
small shrub 2-5 ft, full sun, semi-shade, regular water,
red/crimson/vinous flowers, ethno medical
Amargo is a small tropical tree, growing only 2-6m in height. It
is indigenous to Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia,
Argentina, and Guyana. It has beautiful red flowers and fruits that
turn red as they mature.
Throughout South America, amargo is a tribal remedy for debility,
digestion problems, fever, liver problems, parasites, malaria,
snakebite, and back spasms, it are used to stimulate the appetite
and secretion of digestive juices, as well as to expel worms and
intestinal parasites. In herbal medicine in the United States and
Europe, amargo is employed as a bitter tonic for stomach,
gallbladder, and other digestive problems (by increasing the flow of
bile, digestive juices, and saliva); as a laxative, amebicide, and
insecticide; and to expel intestinal worms. |
