Cinchona vs Cinchona pubescens

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Cinchona

Cinchona officinalis

Antimicrobial

Antimicrobial

Cinchona

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Cinchona pubescens

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

The South American tree whose bark revolutionized medicine — the source of quinine for treating malaria.

Primary commercial source of quinine from the Andes; cultivated globally for anti-malarial production.

Active Compounds

Quinine, Quinidine, Cinchonine, Cinchonidine

quinine, quinidine, cinchonine, alkaloids, tannins

Traditional Uses

Malaria, Fever, Leg cramps, Digestive bitter

malaria, fever, digestive bitters, leg cramps

Modern Uses

Antimalarial (historical), Muscle relaxant, Digestive bitter, Cardiac antiarrhythmic (quinidine)

anti-malarial pharmaceutical source, bitter tonic

Adult Dosage

Professional supervision required — narrow therapeutic index

Pharmaceutical quinine under medical supervision

Contraindications

Pregnancy, G6PD deficiency, Heart rhythm disorders, Thrombocytopenia, Tinnitus

G6PD deficiency, pregnancy, cardiac arrhythmias, platelet disorders

Side Effects

Cinchonism (tinnitus, headache, nausea), Thrombocytopenia, Cardiac arrhythmia, Blindness (overdose)

cinchonism, thrombocytopenia, cardiac effects

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E