The red cinchona, also known as red quinine, cascarilla, or by its scientific name Cinchona pubescens, is a medicinal plant belonging to the genus Cinchona, of the family Rubiaceae, family to which coffee trees also belong or Coffea.
This plant is one of the 23 species of the genus Cinchona, and is native to the Andes of Central and South America, specifically Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Plants of the genus Cinchona they are characterized by having flowers with branches of white, yellow or reddish color -as the case of the red cinchona-; its fruits are oval and contain many small, flat seeds.
The red cinchona has a content from 7% to 15% of quinine, a medicinal component used against malaria; and as a source of this compound, this plant has been transferred and cultivated in many parts of the world for its use, especially in tropical countries of Asia and Africa..
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On the stem of every plant Cinchona pubescens, more than 20 alkaloids are present, among which are quinine, quinidine, cinchonidine, and cinchonine in greater quantity, as well as cathekic tannins, among the most important components.
In studies carried out in which hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and ethanol extracts were obtained from cinchona, the presence of quinine was evidenced in all extracts, resulting in a high total content; this proved that quinine is the active principle of this plant.
Quinine has given red cinchona its usefulness over the years for its benefits as a medicinal plant to treat many conditions and diseases. So far it is the only compound to which the malaria parasite has not shown resistance..
In the 17th century, more than 400 years ago, its ground stem was used to treat fevers of the time such as malaria and malaria; It is said that the first non-native person to be cured with the stem of cinchona was the Countess of Chinchón and wife of the Viceroy of Peru, however, the plant was already known to indigenous Americans.
From then on it was introduced to Europe and distributed mainly by the Jesuits; Soon after it was recognized in almost all of Europe for its benefits; This was a great advance for the continent in the medicinal area.
Almost a century later the botanists, in honor of the countess, gave the name of Cinchona to the plant; before that, it was called "the dust of the countess"Or"the dust of the Jesuits”. Over time, other benefits were discovered, such as treatment for throat diseases, indigestion and cancer..
Today, scientists in the pharmaceutical industry have extracted quinine from Cinchona pubescens, and this has been chemically synthesized to compress its properties and create chloroquine, obtaining better results in treatments.
Chloroquine replaced quinine, and is distributed as an industrialized medicine with antiarrhythmic, antipyretic, anticancer and hepatoprotective properties.
In addition, it is used, among other things, to stimulate the appetite, to treat indigestion, diarrhea, and malaria, a disease that to this day continues to threaten various societies around the world..
However, the malaria parasite, called sporozoite, has developed resistance to this synthesized extract, which is why the bark of the natural cinchona tree is being used again.
The increase in the use of the natural plant would represent a benefit for the ecosystems in which it develops wildly, which would help to reduce its invasive growth; this plant is considered one of the most harmful invasive species in the world.
Studies carried out since Pelletier and Caventou isolated the quinine extract from the Cinchona pubescens In 1820, they have shown that the compound contains antioxidants at a higher level than in other compounds of the genus, these antioxidants are phenols and flavonoids.
This fact is leading to consider the use of red cinchona for the incorporation of its active compound as an antioxidant component in cosmetology products. The components of quinine act as skin protectors against oxidative processes that are caused by pollution, malnutrition and sunlight.
However, the studies are incomplete, and the possibility of adding the extract in cosmetic formulas is being evaluated, as well as ways to increase the antioxidant potential in cosmetology products..
Cinchona is also used as an antiseptic and astringent, that is, it cleanses the skin and also retracts the tissues, thus acting as anti-hemorrhagic, anti-inflammatory and healing..
Centuries ago, doctors weren't sure how much and how often doses of this medicine should be given; This was because many people began adding bark from other trees or from Cinchonas with less quinine due to the high demand, which caused a decrease in the effectiveness of the cure.
In those days, the ground dried bark was made into tea with lemon or wine. Now, with advances in medicinal technology, methods have been created to extract pure quinine, allowing for more precise prescriptions..
Some naturopathic doctors recommend allowing 30 g of processed dry bark to marinate in one liter of water for approximately one hour and take it three times a day; Others recommend placing a tablespoon of dry bark powder in half a liter of water and distributing it to be taken three times a day, these preparations can be called tonic solutions, in their natural version.
For external use, 40 g of bark is boiled in a liter of water for ten minutes, with this a compress is soaked to place on the skin, three times a day for ten minutes. With the same preparation, mouthwashes are made for the treatment of diseases of the mouth and throat..
In the case of synthetic medicinal products of quinine, the doses are governed by the prescription of the doctor.
If the dosage indications are followed, the development of side effects is unlikely. Otherwise, the slight toxicity of red cinchona is perceived. Symptoms of intoxication can be skin rashes, fever, nausea, arrhythmias, among others. At worst, it can cause blindness.
It is not advisable to use cinchona in pregnant or lactating women, children or people suffering from heart problems, except for arrhythmia, red cinchona is used to treat arrhythmia, but, paradoxically, if it is exceeded, the It can get worse.
Either way, it is best to consult a doctor before starting a treatment with this medicinal plant..
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