Simaruba

June 29th, 2008

Botanical Name: Simaruba amara (D. C.), Simaruba officinalis
Family: N.O. Simarubaceae
Genus: Simarouba
Species: amara, glauca
Synonyms: Quassia simarouba, Zwingera amara, Picraena officinalis, Simarouba medicinalis, Dysentery Bark. Mountain Damson. Bitter Damson. Slave Wood. Stave Wood. Sumaruppa. Maruba. Quassia Simaruba
Common Names: Simarouba, gavilan, negrito, marubá, marupá, dysentery bark, bitterwood, paradise tree, palo blanco, robleceillo, caixeta, daguilla, cedro blanco, cajú-rana, malacacheta, palo amargo, pitomba, bois amer, bois blanc, bois frene, bois negresse, simaba
Part Used: Bark, wood, leaves.

Habitat: French Guiana, the Islands of Dominica, Martinique, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Barbados.

Description: The name given by the founder of the genus was Carib Simarouba, but later writers adopted the present spelling.

The tree is 60 feet or more in height, with many long, crooked branches covered with smooth, greyish bark, leaves 9 to 12 inches long, and flowers growing in small clusters, with rather thick, dull-white petals. The bark is usually found in pieces several feet long, the roots being long, horizontal, and creeping. Very often the outer bark has been removed, when it shows a pale yellowish or pinkish-brown surface. It is odourless, difficult to powder, and intensely bitter. It is usually imported from Jamaica, in bales.

Constituents: Simaruba root-bark contains a bitter principle identical with quassin, a resinous matter, a volatile oil having the odour of benzoin, malic acid, gallic acid in very small proportion, an ammoniacal salt, calcium malate and oxalate, some mineral salts, ferric oxide, silica, ulmin, and lignin.

It readily imparts its virtues at ordinary temperatures to water and alcohol. The infusion is as bitter as the decoction, whichbecomes turbid as it cools.

The main active group of chemicals in simarouba are called quassinoids, which belong to the triterpene chemical family. Quassinoids are found in many plants and are well known to scientists. The antiprotozoal and antimalarial properties of these chemicals have been documented for many years. Several of the quassinoids found in simarouba, such as ailanthinone, glaucarubinone, and holacanthone, are considered the plant’s main therapeutic constituents and are the ones documented to be antiprotozal, anti-amebic, antimalarial, and even toxic to cancer and leukemia cells.

The main plant chemicals in simarouba include: ailanthinone, benzoquinone, canthin, dehydroglaucarubinone, glaucarubine, glaucarubolone, glaucarubinone, holacanthone, melianone, simaroubidin, simarolide, simarubin, simarubolide, sitosterol, and tirucalla.

Medicinal Action and Uses: A bitter tonic. It was first sent from Guiana to France in 1713 as a remedy for dysentery. In the years 1718 and 1725 an epidemic flux prevailed in France, which resisted all the usual medicines. Simaruba was tried with great success, and established its medical character in Europe. It restores the lost tone of the intestines, promotes the secretions, and disposes the patient to sleep. It is only successful in the latter stage of dysentery, when the stomach is not affected. In large doses it produces sickness and vomiting. On account of its difficult pulverization, it is seldom given in substance, the infusion being preferred, but like many bitter tonics, it is now seldom used. From its use, it has been called ‘dysentery bark.’

Dosage: From 20 grains to a drachm. A 1/4 OZ. of simaruba may be infused for 12 hours in 12 OZ. of cold or boiling water, and a wineglassful of the infusion taken every three or four hours.

Fluid extract, 1/2 to 1 drachm.

CURRENT PRACTICAL USES

While at least one scientific research group attempts to synthesize one or more of simarouba’s potent quassinoids for pharmaceutical use, the plant remains an important natural remedy in the herbal pharmacopeias of many tropical countries and in the rainforest shaman’s arsenal of potent plant remedies. Natural health practitioners outside of South America are just beginning to learn about the properties and actions of this important rainforest medicinal plant and how to use it in their own natural health practices.

Simarouba bark tea is still the first line of defense for amebic dysentery and diarrhea among the natural products available. It’s also a good natural remedy for viruses. Although not widely available in the U.S. today, it can be found in bulk supplies and in various natural multi-herb anti-parasite and anti-viral formulas.

SIMAROUBA PLANT SUMMARY
Main Preparation Method: decoction or tincture

Main Actions (in order):
antidysenteric, amebicide, antiparasitic, antiviral, antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding)

Main Uses:

1. for dysentery (amebic and bacterial) and diarrhea
2. for intestinal worms and internal parasites
3. for malaria
4. as an astringent to stop bleeding internally (stomach ulcers, hemorrhages, etc) and externally for wounds
5. for viral infections

Properties/Actions Documented by Research:
amebicide, antibacterial, anticancerous, antidysenteric, antileukemic, antimalarial, antimutagenic (cellular protector), antiparasitic, antitumorous, antiviral, vermifuge (expels worms)

Other Properties/Actions Documented by Traditional Use:
analgesic (pain-reliever), antihemorrhagic (reduces bleeding), astringent, bitter, carminative, diaphoretic (promotes sweating), digestive stimulant, febrifuge (reduces fever), menstrual stimulant, tonic (tones, balances, strengthens overall body functions)

Cautions: Large dosages might cause nausea and vomiting.

Traditional Preparation: For diarrhea or dysentery, the traditional remedy calls for preparing a standard decoction with the bark. A teacup full (about 6 ounces) is taken 2-3 times daily. Five to ten ml of a bark tincture twice daily can be substituted if desired.

Contraindications: Reported side effects at high dosages (approx. three times the traditional remedy) include increased perspiration and urination, nausea, and/or vomiting.

Drug Interactions: None reported.


HERBAL PROPERTIES AND ACTIONS
Main Actions	Other Actions	Standard Dosage
kills parasites	relieves pain	Bark
kills amebas	reduces fever	Decoction: 1 cup 2-3
kills bacteria	promotes menstruation	times daily
kills viruses	hydrates skin	Tincture: 5-10 ml twice daily
relieves dystentery	promotes perspiration
kills leukemia cells
treats malaria
reduces tumor growth
expels worms

WORLDWIDE ETHNOMEDICAL USES
Country Uses
Amazonia..for bleeding, constipation, dysentery, fever, malaria
Belize.…for bowel disorders, diarrhea, dysentery, excessive menstruation, hemorrhages, internal bleeding, skin, sores, stomach disorders, wounds
Brazil.…for anemia, anorexia, bitter digestive aid, diarrhea, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, hemorrhages, intestinal parasites, malaria
Cuba.…..for bleeding, colitis, diarrhea, digestive sluggishness, dysentery, malaria, menstrual disorders, parasites, sores, wounds
Dominican Republic..for colic, diarrhea, gonorrhea, malaria
El Salvador..for amebic infections, digestive stimulation
Haiti….for aches (body), anemia, dysentery, dyspepsia, fever, menstrual disorders, pain, rheumatism, skin problems, and to increase perspiration
Mexico...for amebic infections, dyspepsia, fever, malaria
Peru.….for diarrhea, dysentery, fever, intestinal gas, malaria, stomach pains
Elsewhere..for bleeding, colds, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, malaria,

Other Species:
Simaruba glauca of Jamaica, San Domingo, Bahama Islands, Panama and Guatemala has identical properties, and by some writers is regarded as the same tree, others distinguishing it by a slight difference in the flowers. It is also known as Winged-leaved Quassia, and S. medicinalis.

S. versicolor of Brazil, has similar properties, the fruit and bark being also used as anthelmintics, and an infusion of the latter being employed in cases of snake-bite. The plant is so bitter that insects will not attack it, on which account the powdered bark has been employed to kill vermin.

S. glauca of Cuba furnishes a glutinous juice, which is employed in certain skin diseases.

S. excelsa or Quassia Excelsa yields quassin from boiled slices of the wood, furnishing the Quassia of commerce, substituted for the true Surinam Quassia.

Samadera Indica contains a similar bitter principle in its bark.

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/s/simaru50.html
http://www.rain-tree.com/simaruba.htm