Bitter Ash

This genus has eight species of deciduous trees, which occur in forests in tropica America, the West Indies, E and SE Asia. Picrasma quassioides (Japanese Quassia) is sometimes grown as an ornamental for its autumn color. Picrasma excelsa (Jamaican Quassia) has slightly different constituents from P. quassioides and the related Quassia amara (Surinam Quassia), but they are often used interchangeably. Quassia first reached Europe from Surinam in 1756 and entered the London Pharmacopoeia in 1788. The term "quassia" refers to a bitter compound extracted from the bark and wood of either P. excelsa or Q. amara. It was apparently named after a healer name Quassi, from whom European colonists learned of its uses.

Deciduous tree with pinnate, coarsely toothed leaves, to 30cm (12in) long. Small green-white flowers are produced in branched panicles in autumn, followed by black, shiny, globose berries which ripen in winter.


Common Name:
Bitter Ash
Other Names:
Jamaica Quassia
Botanical Name:
Picrasma excelsa syn Picraenia excelsa
Genus:
Picrasma
Family:
Simaroubaceae
Native Location:
West Indies
Cultivation:
Moist, sandy, rich soil in sun or partial shade, with moderate to high humidity. Trim plants to shape before new growth begins.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:
Wood is chipped and dried for use in concentrated infusions, powders, and tinctures.
Height:
25m (80ft)
Width:
15m (50ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 15-18°C (59-64°F)
Parts Used:
Wood
Properties:
An intensely bitter, non-astringent, odorless herb that lowers fever, stimulates the appetite, and improves digestion. It is an effective insecticide and parasiticide, and is reputedly anti-leukemic.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for convalescent debility, poor appetite, malaria, and nematode worms. Excess causes gastric irritation and vomiting. Externally as a lotion for parasites, such as lice, and an enema for threadworms.
Economic Uses:
Quassia extract is used to give a bitter flavor to beer, soft drinks, liqueurs, and aperitifs; also in insecticides against flies, spider mites, aphids, and woolly aphids.
Warning:
Excess causes gastric irritation and vomiting.
Bibliography:
Encylopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright ©: 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited pg 315