Quillaia
OTHER NAME(S): Arbre à Savon, Bois de Panama, China Bark, Murillo Bark, Panama Bark, Quillaja, Quillay, Soap Tree, Savonnier, Soap Tree Bark, Soapbark, Quillaja saponaria, Soap Tree, Soap Bark, Soaptree
Overview
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. .
Uses
We currently have no information for Quillaia overview.
Side Effects
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.
Precautions
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.
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.
Interactions
Moderate Interaction
Be cautious with this combination
- Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with QuillaiaQuillaia 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.
Dosing
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.
References
- The Review of Natural Products by Facts and Comparisons. St. Louis, MO: Wolters Kluwer Co., 1999.
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- Leung AY, Foster S. Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients Used in Food, Drugs and Cosmetics. 2nd ed. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.
- Sidhu GS, Oakenfull DG. A mechanism for the hypocholesterolaemic activity of saponins. Br J Nutr 1986;55:643-9.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
- Fleck JD, Betti AH, da Silva FP, et al. Saponins from Quillaja saponaria and Quillaja brasiliensis: particular chemical characteristics and biological activities. Molecules 2019;24(1). pii: E171.
- Tam KI, Roner MR. Characterization of in vivo anti-rotavirus activities of saponin extracts from Quillaja saponaria Molina. Antiviral Res 2011;90(3):231-41.
- Roner MR, Tam KI, Kiesling-Barrager M. Prevention of rotavirus infections in vitro with aqueous extracts of Quillaja Saponaria Molina. Future Med Chem 2010;2(7):1083-97.
- Kim SW, Park SK, Kang SI, et al. Hypocholesterolemic property of Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria extracts in human body. Arch Pharm Res 2003;26(12):1042-6.
- Adamczyk B, Simon J, Kitunen V, Adamczyk S, Smolander A. Tannins and their complex interaction with different organic nitrogen compounds and enzymes: old paradigms versus recent advances. ChemistryOpen. 2017;6(5):610-614.
- McRae JM, Kennedy JA. Wine and grape tannin interactions with salivary proteins and their impact on astringency: a review of current research. Molecules. 2011;16(3):2348-64.
- Arrau S, Rodríguez-Díaz M, Cassels BK, et al. Antihyperalgesic Activity of Quillaic Acid Obtained from Quillaja Saponaria Mol. Curr Top Med Chem 2019;19(11):927-930.