Quassia amara flowersIf you have made the decision to garden organically; Quassia chips are essential for your arsenal of natural products to combat pests in the garden.
Quassia is truly a remarkable plant that is used as a natural insecticide. It is safe for humans and pets and has been used for generations for many medical conditions.
Qassia chips are available from health stores.
Several early clinical studies performed on Amara verified its traditional use as a natural insecticide. The wood and bark is used and is a common component of insecticides that are used as a contact and stomach poison for insects. It is also an effective repellent for dogs and cats. The active compounds are quassin and neoquassin.
Because the effective substances are water-soluble, Quassia sprays are used against sap feeders and leaf eaters like aphids, caterpillars, some beetles and several species of flies. When taken up by the plant roots and transported into the leaves, it works systemically, acting as a stomach poison for these insects. Place chips on the ground around susceptible plants and crops. A strong infusion sweetened and placed in a cup, covered with clingwrap with small holes in it, is used to kill flies and is harmless to house pets. The flies enter the holes searching for the bait and can't find there way out again.
Chips made from the bark of the Quassia tree contain a bitter substance that controls a wide range of chewing and sucking pests. It is not effective against Codling moth or Peach aphid. A great thing about Quassia is that it does not harm many beneficial insects such as ladybird beetles or bees. Spray preparations should be used immediately after making up. Because Quasia works systemically, plants can be kept free of insects by applying a Quasia in water solution to the ground. This is taken up by the roots and distributed throughout the plant.
A cold maceration can be used for fleas on dogs. Use it as a final rinse in their bath water and leave it on the dog or wash it off after an hour. Apply monthly.
Researchers have discovered that this tree has larvicidal activity against several types of insects, including mosquitoes. A small handful of Quassia wood chips can be placed in backyard ponds and fountains, or a few chips can be added to bird baths. This will kill mosquito larvae without harming fish or birds. I have not tested this on fish ponds and recommend that you check with your local supplier on the quantity you should use before using Quassia, especially if you have expensive Koi.
Quassia sprays are not poisonous but don't use it on leafy vegetables because it is extremely bitter and long lasting. The bitterness will keep the birds off fruit buds in spring. I have not tried this yet but I think it would work well sprayed onto the leaves of palm trees to keep the weaver birds from stripping them. In the old days Alum powder was sprayed onto them for this purpose. Alum also has a very bitter taste like Quassia and the birds don't like it.
Quassia is less toxic to many beneficial garden insects like bees, than natural Pyrethrum. It is non-toxic to humans and pets. Do not dispose of the chips you have used in your spray rather place them near ant nests to help control them. Avoid contact with the mouth as it has an unpleasant, bitter taste. Always test the plant extract formulation on a few infested plants first before going into large scale spraying programme.
Quassia extract for the garden: Soak 200g of quassia chips and 2 tablespoons of crushed garlic in two litres of cold water overnight then bring to the boil for 5 minutes before allowing the mixture to cool. Strain well and add 1/2 teaspoon of biodegradable liquid detergent before spraying. The chips can be used three times before they must be discarded. Allow a 7 day waiting period between spraying and picking fruit.
Health: Research has documented its actions as an analgesic (pain reliever), muscle relaxant and sedative, gastroprotective, antitumorous, antiviral, antiulcerous, antimalarial, antiparasitic, anticancerous. antileukemic, amebicide and pediculicide (lice killer).To discourage thumb sucking among children a decoction is applied to the thumb or finger usually sucked. Renew applications according to persistence of the child. Quassia is also used in hair lotions and an infusion serves as a scalp rinse to counteract dandruff. It is used to treat digestive problems like ulcers, intestinal gas and bloating, sluggish digestion, dyspepsia and anorexia. It helps as a liver and gallbladder aid, increasing bile and eliminating toxins, preventing kidney stones. Amargo bark contains many active constituents including bitter principles reported to be 50 times more bitter than quinine. It has long been used to treat malaria and studies showed strong in vivo anti-malarial activity in mice. An infusion of the wood has been used for fever and rheumatism. Taken internally, it kills roundworms and as an enema it kills pinworms. The tea is said to destroy appetite for alcohol. Water left standing overnight in a cup made from quassia wood becomes a weak infusion suitable as a bitter tonic for the stomach.
Infusion: steep 1/2 tsp of quassia wood powder in 1 cup boiling water for 15 minutes. This is taken 10 minutes before meals or with meals. A little ginger, cloves, lemon peel or warm aromatic may be added to render the infusion more palatable. Take 1 cup 2 to 3 times daily
A Cold Maceration calls for 2 teaspoons of wood powder or chips to be soaked in 1 cup of cold water overnight. Drink 1 cup 2 to 3 times daily for internal parasites, gallstones, and digestive disorders. This maceration can also be used topically for skin and hair parasites. Use a cold maceration for head lice. Strain and pour through washed hair as a final rinse or apply directly to the skin. It can be washed off in an hour. For lice, repeat for three or four days.
The information contained in this article is intended for information purposes only and is not intended to be used to diagnose, prescribe or replace proper medical care. The plant described herein is not intended to treat, cure, diagnose or prevent any disease. Always consult with your physician before starting a home treatment programme. Quassia should not be used during pregnancy and may interfere with male fertility drugs. Those wishing to have children probably should avoid using Quassia. Large amounts can irritate the mucous membrane of the stomach and can lead to nausea and vomiting. Do not exceed recommended dosages.