RED CINCHONA: BENEFITS, DOSAGE, CONTRAINDICATIONS - NUTRITION - 2025

The red machine, also known as red quinine, scale, or by its scientific name Cinchona pubescens, is a medicinal plant belonging to the genus Cinchona, the Rubiaceae family, family that also owns the coffee trees or Coffea.

This plant is one of the 23 species that the genus Cinchona possesses, and it is native to the Andes of Central and South America, specifically Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Cinchona pubescens flower

Plants of the genus Cinchona are characterized by having flowers with white, yellow or reddish branches - as in the case of the red cinchona-; Its fruits are oval and contain many small, flat seeds.

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.

Nutritional information

In the stem of each Cinchona pubescens plant, 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.

Health benefits

Quinine has given red cinchona its utility over the years for its benefits as a medicinal plant for treating many conditions and diseases. So far it is the only compound to which the malaria parasite has shown no resistance.

In the 17th century, more than 400 years ago, its ground stalk 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.

Currently, 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.

Substitution of quinine for chloroquine

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 continues to threaten various societies around the world today.

However, the malaria parasite, called a 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 grows wild, which would help to reduce its invasive growth; This plant is considered one of the most harmful invasive species in the world.

Uses of quinine in cosmetology

Studies carried out since Pelletier and Caventou isolated the quinine extract of Cinchona pubescens in 1820, 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, as well as ways to increase the antioxidant potential in cosmetology products, is still under evaluation.

The 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.

Dose

Centuries ago, doctors weren't sure how much and how often doses of this medicine should be given; This was due to the fact that many people began to add 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 letting 30 g of processed dry bark 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 quinine medicinal products, dosages are governed by doctor's prescription.

Contraindications

If the dosing instructions 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 its consumption is exceeded, the It can get worse.

Either way, it is best to consult a doctor before starting a treatment with this medicinal plant.

References

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