What is Quassia Root? A Comprehensive Look at This Bitter Wood
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4 min read
Native to tropical regions of South America, the evergreen shrub *Quassia amara* is most famous for producing the bitterest naturally occurring compound known to science. The wood and bark of the quassia plant, often referred to as Quassia root, have been used for centuries in traditional medicine for their powerful therapeutic and insecticidal properties. While the 'root' is often the focus, the bark and wood are the primary sources of its active compounds, particularly the quassinoids.