Cascarilla
Cascarilla - also known as Croton Eluteria, Sweetwood, Sweet Bark, Bahama Cascarilla, Elutheria, Clutia Eleuteria, Cascarillae Cortex, Cortex Thuris, Aromatic Quinquina, False Quinquina.
Cascarilla is a small tree native to the Caribbean. It also grows in other tropical places in the Americas. Cascarilla bark is used as a flavoring for the alcoholic drinks Campari and Vermouth [1], and is also made into a tincture used in herbal medicine as a tonic and to arrest vomiting [2]. The bark is aromatic and contains many compounds including vanillin and pinene [1]. It has an agreeable scent when burned - reminiscent of musk, amber or vanilla - and has a tradition of use in incense.
Cascarilla has been known about since old times and is mentioned in several herbal, plant and medicinal texs of the 18th century.
Cascarilla is one of the seven plant ingredients in "Seven Raices (ie. seven roots) Spirit Combination", a formula used traditionally as a powerful aphrodisiac. The formula also contains Cat's Claw, Chuchuhuasi, Clavo Huasca, Sanango, Dragon's Blood and Moruro. [3]
Another variation on this formula is called "Peruvian Energizing tea" - and this (also called "Seven Roots Tea") contains Cascarilla as well as Chuchuhuasi, Chirisanango, Iporuro, Maca, Huanarpo, and Renaquilla. This product's marketing states that is is considered as having aphrodisiac properties. [4]
RainTree , which has a database of tropical plants, has information about Cascarilla. It is mentioned that the bark has a long history of use in herbal medicine, and lists its "ethnomedical uses" in different countries - but makes no mention of any aphrodisiac quality it might have. [5]
Botanical.com mentions that Cascarilla bark is sometimes added to tobacco, although in sufficient quantity it may cause giddiness and intoxication. However, again no mention of any aphrodisiac quality is mentioned.[6]
Is Cascarilla an Aphrodisiac?
Cascarilla is listed in many herbals and other sources, but it is not specifically stated that it has aphrodisiac properties. The Handbook of Medicinal Herbs by James A. Duke has an entry for Cascarilla - but nowhere states that it is aphrodisiac. Such an entry for Cascarilla is typical of other sources - and, unusually, I have not been able to find specific information that explains its inclusion in modern formulas. [7]
Conclusions:
Despite the fact that the Cascarilla bark is included in some aphrodisiac formulas, it does not generally seem to be recognized as an aphrodisiac.
Cascarilla is listed in the AHPA's "Herbs of Commerce", p.49. [7]
Sources:
[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croton_eluteria
[2] http://www.henriettesherbal.com/eclectic/kings/croton-elut.html
[3] http://www.iamshaman.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductUID=3546&ProductCode=PBT-ENG
[4] http://www.wholesaleshamanicherbs.com/7-raices-spirit-capsules.htm
[5] http://www.rain-tree.com/cascarilla.htm
[6] http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/c/cascar28.html
[6] "Morphological, chemical and functional analysis of Cascarilla preparations" - Kletter et.al. University of Vienna 2004 - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15490329
[7] "Herbs of Commerce" (AHPA) (2000 edition) - Michael McGuffin, John T. Kartesz, Albert Y Leung, Arthur O. Tucker p.49
Note - the information on this website is not medical advice, is not a substitute for medical consultation or care, has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure any disease. Please seek advice from a medical professional if you have symptoms, are concerned about your health, or before using supplements or aphrodisiac products.
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