Chinese Quinine, Dichroa

Dichroa febrifuga

Physical Characteristics

Dichroa febrifuga is an evergreen Shrub growing to 2 m (6ft 7in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from June to August, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China, Japan, Himalayas.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; South Wall. By. West Wall. By.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal Uses

Antiperiodic Emetic Expectorant Febrifuge Malaria Purgative This plant is commonly used in Chinese herbalism, where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218]. The leaves are purgative[218]. They are used in the treatment of stomach cancer[218]. The juice of the leaves is used in Nepal to treat coughs, colds and bronchitis[272]. A decoction of the stem bark is used in the treatment of fevers[218]. a decoction of the leaves is used to treat malarial fever[272]. The root contains several alkaloids[283] and is emetic, expectorant, febrifuge and purgative[51, 61, 146, 147, 176, 218, 240, 272]. The juice of the root is used in Nepal to treat fevers and indigestion[272]. This plant is 26 times more powerful than quinine in the treatment of malaria but causes vomiting[176]. Substances in the plant are 100 times more powerful than quinine, but they are poisonous[218].

Known Hazards

One report says that the plant is toxic but gives no more details[147].