Description

Amargo, quassia amara, is a small tree, growing up to six meters high.  Some botanists consider it the sole species in the genus. 

This attractive small tropical tree bears red flowers and fruit.  The flowers are produced in a panicle about 25 cm long, with the bright red color on the outside, and white on the inside.  This little tree is now found in many sites outside its native land.

Habitat and Distribution

It is another plant indigenous to the Amazon rainforest (Argentine, Brazil, Colombia, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela).  It grows at lower elevation contains many of the same antimalarial plant chemicals as quinine, although quinine is found at higher elevations. 

Uses and Cultivation

Amargo is even more bitter than quinine.  Extracts of it are used commercially in the production of bitters and other flavorings.

In tribal medicine throughout South America, amargo is a remedy both today and historically for a variety of digestive and liver problems, fever, parasites and snakebite. 

In alternative and herbal medicine in the United States and Europe, amargo is used for ailments requiring increased flow of bile, digestive juices and saliva.  It is an extremely bitter tonic increasingly taken for stomach problems, gallbladder issues, and other digestive difficulties. 

Amargo also functions as a laxative, amebicide, and de-worming agent for intestinal worms.  Not only is  this plant utilized to provide internal relief, some also use it for skin-related problems.  Some alternative medicinal  use of amargo extends to topical treatments for fleas, lice and skin parasites as well.  In fact, some cultures use the extract from this plant (bark mixed with water,usually) as an insecticide and found to be particularly effective on aphids feasting on crops.