Drug info - Aspidosperma quebracho (bark)

[genaro]

Well, I had already posted about this plant, but I've done a few more researches about it since then, so I'm opening a new thread about this rather uncommon ethnobotanical

Here is the main source for the following informations:
http://www.henriettesherbal.com/plan...ebracho-blanco
If you're interested in this plant I suggest you read the many documents available from this link, these are very exhaustive (much more than the following infos summary) .



Botanical name: Aspidosperma quebracho

Familly: apocynaceae

Localisation: this evergreen tree is found in south america

Common names: 'quebracho blanco'

Part of the plant that is used: bark

Usage: it is used orally. For medicinal use it is usually administered in the form of tincture (made from the bark)


Historical use:
Note that the source for this part is from ethnobotanicals webshop and I do not know were they got the info.
Quebracho is used by indigenous Shamans known as Paleros (those that use wood) specializing in the use of trees as teachers. They speak with great reverance about several species called Remocaspi. These formidable trees with their huge buttressed roots are said to be among the most powerful spirits of the jungle, capable of bestowing sublime insight to the carefully prepared user. The Shaman warns, however, that the same tree can mete out death to anyone who has not properly prepared by following a strict diet and regime of abstinence.


Active principles:
The bark contains 6 alkaloids: Aspidospermine, Aspidospermatine, Aspidosamine, Quebrachine, Hypoquebrachine and Quebrachamine. The most important are aspidospermine and quebrachine.
All of the alkaloids have similar physiological properties, although to different degree, and all agree that quebrachine is the most active of the six alkaloids.

Other chemical content:
quebrachite and laevogyrate inosite (which are sugars), and also quebrachol.
The bark also contains starch and has a high tannin content.

Extraction: ethanol 90% will dissolve the alkaloids


Physiological action:

Quebracho causes an enormous increase in the rate and depth of the respiration (actually quebracho is lessening the rate of the respiratory movement and regulating it, and it is increasing the amplitude of the respiratory movement at the same time)
The increase in the respiration which is the most marked effect of aspidosperma appears to be due to a direct action upon the respiratory center (it does not affect the circulation in the lungs, and does not affect the bronchioles).
So quebracho has some real anti-dyspnoeic action.

It also causes a fall in the blood pressure (quite possibly caused by dilatation of the blood vessels through its depressant action on the medullary centers) and also causes a diminution of heart rate (the action is pronounced enough to reduce heart beat by 20 pulsations less in the minute)
So quebracho is a cardiac tonic, with a direct action on the circulatory center, reducing the action of the heart, giving tone and regularity to its contractions, with an intermediate effect on the nervous system.


Toxicity:
in large doses, quebracho causes severe salivation, nausea, vomiting, vertigo and headache.
It is affecting the central nervous system, at first by stimulation, which is soon followed by paralysis. The heart and respiration are chiefly affected; at first the fulness and rate of breathing is increased, and the cardiac action slowed; but finally both functions are paralyzed, the cardiac first. Reflex excitability, at first increased, is soon lowered, and the spinal cord is also paralyzed. In other world an excessive dose of quebracho will cause death by paralysis of the cardiac and respiratory functions (be careful with this plant!!!).


Medicinal uses:

Quebracho is a bitter, and has been given as a tonic and febrifuge and anti-asthmatic.

It has been used in dyspnoea (=difficulty of breathing/shortness of breath) associated with cardiac, or pulmonary disease.
It is used in cardiac and renal asthma, emphysema, the dyspnoea of capillary bronchitis and of chronic pneumonia, advanced bronchitis, phthisis, bronchial asthma and uncomplicated asthma with insufficient cardiac force. It relieves the cough of la grippe, when associated with dyspnoea.
As stated above, quebracho can relieve various types of dyspnoea, especially in emphysema, bronchitis and asthma (in the latter condition it is not generally useful to interrupt the paroxysm, but in many cases if used continuously will greatly reduce the frequency and severity of attacks).
[note: http://www.henriettesherbal.com/ecle...idosperma.html this source is stating that dosage for treating asthmatic dyspnoea would be 0.3 to 2g of quebracho bark orally, but I suggest you take this info with a grain of salt and start with a very small amount as a precaution, unknown botanicals can be dangerous]
Although quebracho is very helpful with asthmatic dyspnoea and dysponea which accompanies inflammatory pulmonic affections, it seems that it is not as beneficial with nervous dysponea. Also note that quebracho is thought to be of little use in dysponea that is due to organic disease of the heart, or in aged subjects of atheroma.
Specific Indications: dyspnoea of functional origin/dyspnoea with emphysema, face pale, anxious, and livid, lips cyanotic/pulse small, soft, compressible, irregular, or intermittent/orthopnoea/cardiac palpitation with cough.

The alkaloids of Quebracho also reduce temperature in fevers (febrifuge).
It is said to have quite a positive influence in malarial fevers with or without lung complications, acting as a sedative, antiperiodic and febrifuge. It is not widely used for this purpose and it does not influence other fevers.


Aphrodisiac use:
I found several sources that were stating that quebracho has some strong aphrodisiac properties in both male and female, similar in activity yet stronger in potency on the libido and CNS(Central nervous system) than yohimbe.


Contraindications and interactions:
First let's sum-up the main physiological effects of Quebracho-blanco
-decrease rate of breath
-increase depth of breath
-slow down heart beat(bradycardia)
-decrease blood pressure(hypotension)
-cause dilatation of blood vessels(vasodilatation)
-cause stimulation of the central nervous system
-excessive dosage causing paralysis of the SNC, resulting in paralysis of cardiac and respiratory functions and death

I'm not a medic, but this make me think that one should avoid mixing quebracho with IMAOs, stimulants, or depressants.
Also, I strongly suggest that any individual with some cardiac condition (cardio-vascular troubles) do not use quebracho unless his doctor says that it is ok.





Now, does anyone here have some PERSONAL experience with Aspidosperma quebracho bark? (if so please describe the preparation, dosage, route of administration, and effects you experienced)

Reputation Comments on this post:

Thanks for the info. It could use some reformatting though.