Quebracho

June 5th, 2008

Botanica Name: Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Gentianales
Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Aspidosperma
Species: A. quebracho-blanco

Synonyms: Quebracho Bark. Quebracho-blanco.Macaglia quebracho-blanco (Schltdl.)
Part Used: Bark.wood
Habitat: Chile and Argentina, Bolivia, Southern Brazil and other South American countries.Quebracho blanco is a South American tree species, which is found in the northern regions of Argentina. It must not be confused with other species also known as quebracho, but belonging to the genus Schinopsis

Description: Quebracho is an evergreen tree which sometimes rises to 100 feet, with an erect stem and wide-spreading crown. The wood of all the species of this genus is valuable, and the name is due to its hardness, being derived from two Spanish words, quebrar and hacha, meaning ‘the axe breaks.’ It is used for tanning.

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The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs).The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It requires moist soil.

This tree has very hard wood; the name quebracho is taken from two Spanish words quebrar and hacha, meaning “to break the axe.” The dense wood and extreme wrinkling or fluting of the bark mean that this tree is not used for commercial timber purposes. So what “good” is it?

Also, apparently unstudied, the deep furrows of the thick, wrinkled bark may very well provide refuges for a variety of insect, invertebrate, and vertebrate wildlife species. For these ecological values alone, as feasible, it is recommended to leave the tree standing in commercial timber operations

The bark was not introduced into Europe until 1878, though was for long used in South America as a febrifuge. Commercially, it is met with in large, thick pieces covered on the outside with a very thick and rough, corky layer of a greyish-brown colour, and deeply divided by furrows and excavations. The inner bark is greyish or yellowish, smooth or somewhat fibrous, and often with small, black spots. The taste is very bitter, but there is scarcely any odour.

Two other plants are known as Quebracho: Schinopsis Lorenzii, the wood of which is sold in commerce as ‘quebracho wood,’ and Iodina rhombifolia, ‘quebracho flojo,’ the wood and bark of which are sometimes substituted for the ‘quebracho colorado.’

Constituents: Contains six alkaloids: Aspidospermine, Aspidospermatine, Aspidosamine, Quebrachine, Hypoquebrachine and Quebrachamine. All agree that quebrachine is the most active.

Two new sugars, quebrachite and laevogyrate inosite, tannin and starch have also been extracted.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Tonic, febrifuge and anti-asthmatic.Antispasmodic. Treats asthma and emphysema. Reduces fever. Astringent - it has been used on burns and cuts. Contains yohimbine.

When a preparation of Quebracho or Aspidosperma is injected into the circulation, the rate and depth of the respiration increases largely, apparently due to direct action on the respiratory centre, and the blood-pressure falls.

Aspidosperma is used in medicine for the relief of various types of dyspnoea, especially in emphysema and in asthma. It is not generally useful to interrupt the paroxysm, but, as a rule, if used continuously, it will reduce the frequency and severity of attacks.

Under the name of amorphous aspidospermine, a mixture of the various alkaloids has become known in commerce.

Quebracho Colorado, or S. Lorenzii, has been used as a substitute), but is essentially different, being probably a simple and gastrointestinal stimulant, though it has been said to be a much weaker form of quebrachoblanco.

Dosages: Of amorphous aspidospermine, 1/4 to 1 grain. Of crystalline aspidospermine, 1/40 to 1/20 grain. Of aspidospermine, 15 grains, but it is not used in the crude state. Fluid extract, 1/4 to 1/2 drachm.

The bark of Quebracho is comprised of a thick corky layer that has been used for many years in South America as a febrifuge, that is, a medicine that lowers body temperature to prevent or reduce fever. It is also used to relieve dyspnea (difficult or laboured breathing, as from emphysema and asthma). The bark and especially heartwood are used for tanning hides as the tree contains tannins and little or no alkaloids. And the heartwood can be used for small-scale carpentry and cabinetry.

Other uses:Quebracho blanco wood is uniformly yellow-ochre, without differences between hardwood and sapwood. It is quite heavy (relative density = 0.885 g/cm³) and hard, and responds well to bending and shock. Upon drying it tends to collapse, producing deformations and cracks, so the drying process is slow; the wood must be treated with fungicides. It is easy to work and has many uses in carpentry (carts, wheels, floors, shoes, tool handles, furniture); it is also good for chess pieces, skis, etc. Preserved with creosote it can be used outdoors. In some places it is widely used as coal, since it does not produce sparks or large amounts of ash, and it burns strong and slowly.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein is intended for educational purposes only. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

Resources:
http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/q/quebra02.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aspidosperma_quebracho-blanco
http://taos-telecommunity.org/epow/EPOW-Archive/archive_2005/EPOW-051031.htm
http://www.ibiblio.org/pfaf/cgi-bin/arr_html?Aspidosperma+quebracho-blanco&CAN=COMIND.