The dried and crushed bark was traditionally gently boiled in water, then filtered. This very bitter preparation should only be considered under the supervision of a healthcare professional due to the variable alkaloid content. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The bark was macerated in alcohol for several weeks to extract bitter and alkaloid principles, then filtered. This concentrated form requires medical or pharmaceutical advice before any use. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
The leaves, less concentrated in alkaloids than the bark, were sometimes briefly infused in a milder traditional use. It is nevertheless recommended to seek the advice of a professional before consumption, as the composition is not standardized. Dosage must be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.
Cinchona bark is found today mainly in prepared form in specialized herbalist shops, often under pharmaceutical control due to its quinine content; the tree itself grows naturally in the humid forests of the Andes.