Quassia is a bitter herb has been around for hundreds of years, and is made from the bark and wood of tall tree that grows in Jamaica and other parts of the Caribbean.
Bitter herbs like Quassia are very helpful in stimulating appetite… and Quassia was once used frequently to stimulate appetite after a long winter of eating salted and dried foods.
Quassia wood chips are put in water and allowed to steep for long periods of time, then the water is drank which helps with indigestion, fevers, and heartburn… and can be used combined with slippery elm and marshmallow root to sooth the GI tract. Quassia is bitter so add sugar or honey!
Quassia also helps the body produce more enzymes in the liver, stomach, and kidneys. Plus it also helps the gallbladder produce more bile which cleanses the liver.
Quassia also works well for treating anorexia and other problems associated with not eating. And Quassai can be used via enema to expel intestinal worms.
Quassia has antibacterail and anti-fungal abilities too… thus being able to prevent and cure infections. Plus some believe Quassai helps those addicted to alcohol, plus it also contains a good anti-clotting agent similar to coumarin called scopoletin.
Quassia contains Quassimarin which has been studied for cancer treatment and especially leukemia… and studies show may work well for nose and throat cancer.
Quassia also helps with insomnia thus allowing you to rest… because it has narcotic like effect.
Quassia contains lots of tannins and alkaloids that are responsible for most of it’s amazing healing abilities such as: 5-methoxycanthin-5-one, isoquassin, terpenoids, and quassin, 18-hydrooxyquassin and more. Plus it also contains beta-sitosterol, Q. amara, and beta-sitostenone, plus quassimarin and lots of other compounds.
Quassia is a great anti-inflammatory that helps with arthritis, rheumatism, aches, and pains. It also helps with colds, flues, and fevers and helps with swelling and redness.
Quassia is used in jams, baked goods, ice cream, puddings, and even liqueurs, beer, and wine. Plus it also has been added to shampoos to kill head lice and for getting rid of dandruff.
Quassia wood chips are insecticidal… helping to naturally get rid of aphids, flies, mites, and other garden pests but not bothering good insects like lady bugs. Boil 100 grams of Quassia wood chips in one liter of water, let cool and then add an additional 3 parts water. Then add a small amount of liquid dish soap to make it stick to your plants. Pour in a spray bottle and spray your plants as often as you like. It can also help keep away pesky animals too.
You can order Quassai Chips on-line or ask for them at your local health food store.
Dr. Paul Haider – Master Herbalist and Spiritual Teacher for over 20 years, helping people to recover and feel healthy. You can also find Dr. Haider on FB under Dr. Paul Haider, Healing Herbs, Shambala Spiritual Transformation Institute, Meditation for the Soul, and Relax Into Success, Punjab teas, and at www.paulhaider.com – feel free to contact him any time. Also check out Dr. Haider’s radio show at http://www.thesourcecenterradio.com/The-Relaxed-Soul.html August show to be about “Spirituality and Food”