Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Quassia (derived from the wood of Quassia amara or Picrasma excelsa) has a long history of traditional use as a botanical remedy for intestinal parasites, especially in South American and Caribbean herbal medicine. The main active constituents of quassia are quassinoids, which possess a very bitter taste and have been observed to have insecticidal and anti-parasitic effects in vitro and in animal studies. Traditionally, quassia extracts or decoctions were administered orally or used as enemas to expel intestinal worms, such as roundworms and threadworms. Some ethnobotanical records also mention its use as a vermifuge in European herbal medicine in the 18th and 19th centuries.

While laboratory studies have shown that quassia extracts can possess anti-parasitic and insecticidal activities, robust clinical trials in humans are lacking. The available scientific literature consists mostly of in vitro studies and a few animal experiments, but there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to support its effectiveness and safety for treating human parasitic infections. Nonetheless, its traditional use persists in some cultures, and it is still included in some herbal formulations marketed for intestinal parasites. Caution is advised due to the potential toxicity of quassia at higher doses.

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