Aspidosperma quibracho-blanco (Quebracho)

Family: Apocynaceae

Part Used: bark, cortex

Active Constituents:

Alkaloids (aspidospermine, aspidospermatine, aspidosamine, quebrachine, hypoquebrachine), cardiac glycosides

Medicinal Actions:

Anti-spasmodic, expectorant, vasodilator

Medicinal Uses:

1)Aspidosperma is a stimulating expectorant, similar in action to Asclepias, specific indications include “dyspnea of functional origin, with or without emphysema; face pale, anxious and livid’ lips cyanotic; pulse small, soft and compressible, irregular or intermittent; cardiac palpitation with cough”. Felter, 229.

2)Aspidosperma will relax the bronchial muscles, increasing the rate and the depth of respiration.

3)It is also a stimulating expectorant, enhancing the ability of the cilia to expel mucus. It is indicated for use with asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia, and dyspnea.

4) The glycosides also increase the depth of cardiac contraction but since this is a minor constituent, it is indicated for use only in mild congestive heart failure.

5)Think of Aspidosperma when any patient presents with a cough accompanied by dyspnea.

Pharmacy:

Tincture (1:5): 10 – 60 drops TID

Fluid Extract (1:1): 5 – 30 drops TID