Quillaia
Scientific names: Quillaja saponaria
Family: Rosaceae
Alternate names: Arbre à Savon, Bois de Panama, China Bark, Murillo Bark, Panama Bark, Quillaja, Quillay, Soap Tree, Savonnier, Soap Tree Bark, Soapbark
Background
Quillaia (Quillaja saponaria) is a large evergreen tree found in Peru and Chile. Chemicals in the tree bark called saponins act as natural detergents.
Saponins can attach to dietary fat in the stomach. This might help lower cholesterol. Quillaia also contains high concentrations of chemicals called tannins. Tannins can thin mucus to make it easier to cough up.
People use quillaia for asthma, high cholesterol, bronchitis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. .
Saponins can attach to dietary fat in the stomach. This might help lower cholesterol. Quillaia also contains high concentrations of chemicals called tannins. Tannins can thin mucus to make it easier to cough up.
People use quillaia for asthma, high cholesterol, bronchitis, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. .
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Quillaia is commonly consumed in foods. But it is possibly unsafe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Quillaia contains high amounts of tannins which can cause stomach problems, as well as kidney and liver damage. Quillaia also contains chemicals called oxalates, which can cause kidney stones.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if quillaia is safe or what the side effects might be.
Stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Quillaia can irritate the GI tract. Don't use it if you have a stomach or intestinal disorder.
Kidney disease: The oxalate in quillaia can cause kidney stones. Don't use it if you have kidney disease or a history of kidney stones.
When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if quillaia is safe or what the side effects might be.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Quillaia is possibly unsafe when used as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Avoid use.Stomach and intestinal (gastrointestinal, GI) problems: Quillaia can irritate the GI tract. Don't use it if you have a stomach or intestinal disorder.
Kidney disease: The oxalate in quillaia can cause kidney stones. Don't use it if you have kidney disease or a history of kidney stones.
Effectiveness
Effective Effectiveness definitions
There is interest in using quillaia for a number of purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.
Dosing & administration
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of quillaia might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Quillaia can increase the activity of the immune system. Some medications, such as those used after a transplant, decrease the activity of the immune system. Taking quillaia along with these medications might decrease the effects of these medications.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Calcium: Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with calcium in the stomach. This might reduce the amount of calcium that the body can absorb from supplements.
Iron: Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with iron in the stomach. This might reduce the amount of iron that the body can absorb from supplements.
Zinc: Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with zinc in the stomach. This might reduce the amount of zinc that the body can absorb from supplements.
Iron: Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with iron in the stomach. This might reduce the amount of iron that the body can absorb from supplements.
Zinc: Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with zinc in the stomach. This might reduce the amount of zinc that the body can absorb from supplements.
Interactions with foods
Quillaia contains a chemical that can bind with calcium, iron, and zinc in the stomach. This can reduce how much calcium, iron, and zinc the body can absorb from foods.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 31/07/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 04/11/2020 00:53:30. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
