Page 169 - Pharmacognosy-I (02-06-06-102)

• Traditionally, it has been used for anorexia, dyspepsia, nematode
infestation (by oral or rectal administration), and specifically for
atonic dyspepsia with loss of appetite.

Contra–indications:
Warnings

• Large doses of quassia are emetic and therefore excessive
consumption is self–limiting.

Pregnancy and lactation

• In view of the reported cytotoxic and emetic activities, the use of
quassia during pregnancy and lactation is best avoided.

Remarks

• The chemistry of quassia is well studied and is characterized by
bitter terpenoids (quassinoids) and β-carboline indole alkaloids.
Limited data have been documented to justify the traditional herbal
uses although the bitter principles support the use of quassia as an
appetite stimulant in anorexia.

GUAIACUM WOOD

Botanical origin: Guaiacum is the dried heart and sapwood of

Guaiacum Officinale and Guaiacum Sanctum family Zygophyllaceae.

Constituents:
The heart wood of Guaiacum contains terpenes, saponins, volatile oil and
20- 25 % of resin; the chief constituents of which are acids, α- and β-
guaiaconic acids, guaiaretic acid and guaiac acids.

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