quassia

Bitterwood, the heartwood of Picrasma excelsa (Picraena excelsa), known as Jamaica q., or of Q. amara (family Simarubaceae), known as Surinam q.; a bitter tonic; the infusion has been administered by enema in the treatment of threadworms. [Quassi, a resident of Surinam who used it as a tonic]

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quas·sia 'kwäsh-(ē-)ə, 'kwäs-ē-ə n

1) cap a genus of shrubs and trees (family Simaroubaceae) with clusters of scarlet flowers compare SIMAROUBA

2) a drug derived from the heartwood and bark of various tropical trees (family Simaroubaceae) and used esp. as a bitter tonic and remedy for roundworms in children and as an insecticide

Quas·si 'kwäs-ē Graman (fl 1730)

Suriname slave. Quassi was a black slave who obtained his freedom and practiced as a medicine man. Around 1730 he discovered the medicinal value of the bark and heartwood of certain trees in the treatment of malignant fevers common in Suriname. According to tradition, a traveling Swede bought the secret of the cures and brought specimens of the plants back to Sweden. Linnaeus examined the plants and named the genus Quassia. Later, the name quassia was applied to the drug as well.

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Quas·sia (kwoshґə) [Quassi, 18th century slave of Surinam, who used it] a genus of tropical trees of the family Simaroubaceae whose wood is used as an antipyretic. Q. amaґra L. is Surinam quassia, a source of medicinal quassia.