Arbre à Savon, Bois de Panama, China Bark, Murillo Bark, Panama Bark, Quillaja, Quillaja saponaria, Quillay, Savonnier, Soap Tree, Soap Tree Bark, Soapbark.
Quillaia is a plant. The inner bark is used as medicine.
Despite safety concerns, people take quillaia for cough, bronchitis, and other breathing problems.
Some people apply quillaia extract directly to the skin to treat skin sores, athlete's foot, and itchy scalp. It is sometimes included in shampoos for dandruff, in hair tonic preparations for thinning hair, and in douches for vaginal discharges.
In foods, quillaia is used in frozen dairy desserts, candy, baked goods, gelatins, and puddings. It is also used in beverages and cocktails and as a foaming agent in root beer.
In manufacturing, quillaia extracts are used in skin creams. Quillaia is also used as a foaming agent in fire extinguishers.
In South America, quillaia bark is used to wash clothes.
How does it work?
Quillaia contains high concentrations of tannins. Astringent chemicals, such as tannins, can thin mucous to make it easier to cough up. Quillaia also contains a chemical that may help stimulate the immune system.
SLIDESHOW
Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See SlideshowInsufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
TAKEN BY MOUTH
- Cough.
- Bronchitis.
- Breathing problems.
- Other conditions.
- Skin sores.
- Athlete's foot.
- Itchy scalp.
- Dandruff.
- Vaginal discharge.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
Quillaia seems to be safe when taken in food amounts. But it might be UNSAFE when taken by mouth in medicinal doses. Plants such as quillaia that contain high amounts of tannins can cause stomach and intestinal disturbances, and kidney and liver damage. Quillaia also contains chemicals called oxalates that can lower blood calcium levels and cause kidney stones. Quillaia use can also cause diarrhea, stomach pain, serious breathing problems, convulsions, coma, red blood cell destruction, and kidney failure. Quillaia can also irritate and damage the lining of the mouth, throat, and digestive tract.
It is not known if quillaia is safe when put on the skin or in the vagina. If inhaled, the powder can cause sneezing.
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerPregnancy and breast-feeding: Quillaia might be UNSAFE for both mother and infant. 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.
Medications taken by mouth (Oral drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Quillaia contains a large amount of chemicals called tannins. Tannins absorb substances in the stomach and intestines. Taking quillaia along with medications taken by mouth can decrease how much medicine your body absorbs, and decrease the effectiveness of your medicine. To prevent this interaction, take quillaia at least one hour after medications you take by mouth.
Metformin (Glucophage)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Metformin (Glucophage) is used to help decrease blood sugar. Quillaia might decrease how much metformin (Glucophage) the body absorbs. Taking quillaia along with metformin (Glucophage) might decrease the effectiveness of metformin (Glucophage) for lowering blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your metformin (Glucophage) might need to be changed.
The appropriate dose of quillaia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for quillaia. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182
Pillion DJ, Amsden JA, Kensil CR, et al. Structure-function relationship among Quillaja saponins serving as excipients for nasal and ocular delivery of insulin. J Pharm Sci 1996;85:518-24. View abstract.
Recchia J, Lurantos MH, Amsden JA, et al. A semisynthetic Quillajasaponin as a drug delivery agent for aminoglycoside antibiotics. Pharm Res 1995;12:1917-23. View abstract.
Sidhu GS, Oakenfull DG. A mechanism for the hypocholesterolaemic activity of saponins. Br J Nutr 1986;55:643-9. View abstract.
Wu JY, Gardner BH, Murphy CI, et al. Saponin adjuvant enhancement of antigen-specific immune responses to an experimental HIV-1 vaccine. J Immunol 1992;148:1519-25. View abstract.