Quina Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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quina
[ˈkiːnə ]
Definition
plant species
Quina refers to the bark of the Cinchona tree, known for its medicinal properties, particularly in treating malaria. It contains quinine, an antimalarial compound used historically in medicine.
Synonyms
Peruvian bark, cinchona, quinine bark.
Examples of usage
- Quina bark was once extensively used in the treatment of fever.
- The indigenous people utilized quina for its therapeutic effects.
- Pharmaceuticals now chemically synthesize quinine from quina.
- Herbalists often recommend quina as a natural remedy.
Translations
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Origin of 'quina'
The term 'quina' comes from the Spanish word 'quina', which itself is derived from the Quechua word 'kinu', referring to the bark of the Cinchona tree. This tree is native to the Andean forests of South America, where it was historically used by indigenous peoples for its health benefits. The bark was first brought to Europe in the 17th century, following the discovery of its effectiveness against malaria. As European colonists were introduced to the uses of quina, it quickly became sought after for its medicinal properties. The isolation and extraction of quinine from quina played a pivotal role in combating malaria, leading to extensive demand for the bark and its derivatives. Over the centuries, quina has remained an important part of herbal medicine, while also paving the way for the development of synthetic antimalarial drugs.