Cinchona:
The Cinchona tree has been named after the Countess of Cinchona (1756-1639), wife of Spanish vice Roy of Peru. While in Peru she was severely laid down with fever. At the advice of the local inhabitants who used to suffer from such fevers (malaria) she was cured by the infusion of the bark of this tree. She was so convinced about the curative properties of the bark of this tree that she asked her relatives in Spain to introduce this plant there. From Spain it spread to Italy and many other countries including India and some other eastern countries. The Cinchona tree ranges from small to large in size. it is evergreen. The leaves are entire, opposite, leathery and mildly pointed. The floers are tubular. The bark yields 30 chemically related alkaloids of which quinine is important.
Uses of Cinchona:
Quinine is an excellent medicine for malaria.
It is also used for treating pneumonia, amoebic dysentery.
It had been used even for eye lotion.
Uses of Cinchona:
Quinine is an excellent medicine for malaria.
It is also used for treating pneumonia, amoebic dysentery.
It had been used even for eye lotion.
