Quassia, also known as Jamaica Quassia and Bitter Wood, is a small, shrubby tree native to the West Indies. It is known for its bitter bark, which contains quassin, the bitterest naturally-occurring chemical known.

Where is Quassia native to?

Quassia amara is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentina, French Guiana, and Guyana. It is also widely planted outside its native range.

What are the uses of Quassia bark?

Quassia bark is used to stimulate appetite, aid digestion, reduce fevers caused by malaria, and act as a natural insect repellent and anti-parasitic agent. It is often prepared as a decoction.

How does Quassia improve digestion?

The bitterness of Quassia bark stimulates the production of saliva and stomach acids, which aids in digestion and helps the digestive system function properly.

How is Quassia bark harvested and stored?

Quassia wood chips or bark are collected from the tree once it is felled, dried for future use, and stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

shopping Quassia - two varieties

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[ 1034 ]Quassia amara

Quassia Wood Chips

1/4 Pound: $5.62 Pound: $12.48 100+ Pounds: contact

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[ 2020 ]Quassia amara

Quassia Wood Powder

1/4 Pound: $5.63 Pound: $12.51 100+ Pounds: contact

We offer discounted pricing on orders over 100 pounds. Contact Us

Wholesale Quassia

Name: Quassia wood, powder
Brand: Monterey Bay Herb Co.
SKU: 2020
Price: 5.63 USD
Availability: InStock

Quassia amara

plant overview

nature’s bitter bark

Quassia, also known as Jamaica Quassia and Bitter Wood, is a small, shrubby tree native to the West Indies. Its species name, amara, is derived from the Spanish word amargo, which means “bitter.” The name fits since the bark of the tree contains a substance 50 times more bitter than quinine. In fact, it’s the bitterest naturally-occurring chemical known to exist. Although quassia bark is an ingredient in herbal bitters in moderate amounts, the presence of this highly bitter phytochemical makes infusions made with this herb very effective natural insect repellants.

Clicking "learn more" next to each variety will take you to individual product pages for details.

01.
A Bit of Botany

a little bit of botanical information on quassia

description
Quassia amara is a shrub or rarely a small tree of the Simaroubaceae family.

Quassia grows to a height of 3 meters tall—on more rare occasions it grows up to 8 meters. The leaves have winged rachis, are compound and alternate, 15–25 cm long, and pinnate with 3-5 leaflets.

The plant's striking flowers have a bright red exterior and a white interior, and they are produced in a panicle 15–25 cm long.

The quassia fruit is a small drupe ranging in length from 1-1.5 cm.

common names & nomenclature
Carolus Linnaeus—Swedish botanist of the 18th century—gave this plant its genus name. Linneaus named it after the first botanist to describe the plant: the Surinamese freedman Graman Quassi.

Also known as:
amargo, bitter-ash, bitter-wood, jamaica quassia, surinan quassia

02.
Where in the World

habitat and range for quassia

Quassia amara is native to Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Panama, Brasil, Peru, Venezuela, Suriname, Colombia, Argentinia, French Guiana and Guyana. It is widely planted outside its native range.

03.
Cultivation & Harvesting

considerations for growing and harvesting quassia

climate
Quassia grows in tropical forests or near bodies of water. Quassia can not tolerate frost, but the plant is partially drought tolerant.

soil
Quassia grows primarily in sandy soils.

growing
Germination from fresh seed can take up to six months, but some seeds will germinate within three weeks. Transplant into individual pots when large enough to handle, grow on for a season in a cold frame, and then plant into the garden the following spring or summer.

harvesting
Quassia wood chips or bark are collected from the tree once it is felled. These are dried for future use.

preserving
Store dried quassia bark pieces and powdered quassia bark in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.

04.
The Rest of the Story

quassia history, folklore, literature & more

Quassia (Quassia amara), also known as Jamaican bitter wood, is a small tropical tree native to South America and the Caribbean. It is renowned for containing quassin, one of the most bitter naturally occurring substances found in the botanical world. This intense flavor profile is the defining characteristic of the herb and is responsible for its long-standing identity in various botanical traditions.

Historically, quassia has been a staple in traditional "bitter" preparations. In these practices, the bark is often decocted into a tea or utilized in liquid extracts. This application focuses on the sensory experience of the herb’s bitterness, which has been a point of interest in herbalism for centuries.

In addition to its use in traditional tea blends, quassia wood bark has a history of utility in the beverage industry, where it is sometimes used as a flavoring agent in bitters and liqueurs. It is also used in artisanal crafts and traditional topical applications. Because of its potency, quassia is intended for traditional use in small quantities.

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for educational purposes only

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

please be advised: Before making any changes to your diet you should always consult with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have existing conditions.

All reviews solely reflect the views and opinions expressed by the reviewer and not that of Monterey Bay Herb Co. We do not verify or endorse any claims made by any reviewer. None of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or health condition.