China Officinalis (Cinchona Bark)

A cardinal botanical polychrest in classical homeopathic materia medica, historically described for debility following vital fluid loss, tympanitic abdominal flatulence, periodic thermal paroxysms, and extreme cutaneous hyperesthesia.

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Quick Reference Facts

Latin NameCinchona officinalis
Common NamePeruvian Bark / Cinchona
Source KingdomPlant (Rubiaceae family)
Thermal StateChilly (Sensitive to cold drafts)
High-Yield Clinical Pearl

"China Officinalis is described in traditional materia medica for weakness following loss of vital fluids, flatulent abdomen, and hyperesthesia to light touch."

Latin NameCinchona officinalis
Common NamePeruvian Bark / Cinchona
KingdomPlant
Remedy TypePolychrest

Clinical Description

China Officinalis (Cinchona) holds paramount historical significance as the remedy that inspired Samuel Hahnemann's discovery of the Law of Similars in 1790. In classical homeopathic texts, it is associated with marked weakness, anemia, and nervous irritability resulting from loss of vital fluids (blood loss, excessive lactation, diarrhea, suppuration, or profuse sweating). Key features recorded in materia medica include extreme abdominal flatulence with tympanitic distension without relief from eructation, hyperesthesia where light touch causes discomfort while hard pressure affords relief, and periodic thermal paroxysms.

Guiding Keynotes

  • Historically described for extreme debility and trembling following loss of vital fluids (hemorrhage, diarrhea, lactation, suppuration)
  • Tympanitic distension of abdomen with excessive flatulence, feeling full to bursting, where belching brings no relief
  • Cutaneous hyperesthesia: light touch or gentle breeze aggravates pains, whereas firm steady pressure brings comfort
  • Marked periodicity: thermal paroxysms, neuralgias, or headaches returning at regular interval hours
  • Porous, anemic appearance with dark rings around eyes, ringing in ears (tinnitus), and thready rapid pulse
  • Congestive throbbing headache following severe hemorrhage or exhaustion

Mental-Emotional Symptoms

  • Apathy, taciturnity, and indifference; disinclined to mental work
  • Hypersensitive, irritable, and easily offended; full of theoretical plans in evening
  • Anxious apprehension and fear of animals or dark

Physical / Particular Indicators

  • Debility and slow recovery after severe illness, dysentery, or blood loss
  • Periodic malarial-type thermal paroxysms with distinct chill, fever, and drenching sweat stages
  • Gallstone colic with jaundice and liver tenderness
  • Painless, watery, undigested stool with marked weakness and thirst

Modalities

Aggravation (Worse)

  • Loss of vital fluids (hemorrhage, diarrhea)
  • Light touch and gentle breezes
  • Periodicity and autumn weather
  • Night and after meals

Amelioration (Better)

  • Hard pressure and bending double
  • Warmth and resting in room

Constitutional Mappings

Generalities

Chilly patient, sensitive to cold air and drafts. Strongly aggravated by fluid loss, light touch, periodic hours, and night. Ameliorated by hard pressure, bending double, and warmth.

Constitutional Type

Suited to anemic, broken-down constitutions with dark hair, swarthy complexion, and sensitive nervous stamina.

Therapeutic Affinities

Organ Affinity
Vascular system, blood composition, and spleen/liverGastrointestinal tract and autonomic nervesCentral and peripheral nervous system
Miasmatic Affinity
PsoraSycoticSyphilitic
Common Potencies
6C30C200C1M

Clinical Safety & Potency Guidance

Crude Cinchona and quinine-containing products can cause serious adverse effects and require source-specific toxicology guidance. A homeopathic dilution label does not by itself guarantee composition, quality, safety, or effectiveness. Acute heavy bleeding, fainting, shock, or suspected severe anemia requires immediate emergency assessment; this traditional profile must not delay proven care.

Reference Citations & Evidence Sources

Classical Homeopathic Literature
  • CIT-0007Hahnemann S.. "The Chronic Diseases: Their Peculiar Nature and Their Homoeopathic Cure." Adolph Arnold (1828).
Materia Medica & Keynotes
  • CIT-0004Hahnemann S.. "Materia Medica Pura." Adolph Arnold (1811).
  • CIT-0005Kent J. T.. "Lectures on Homoeopathic Materia Medica." Boericke & Tafel (1905).
  • CIT-0006Boericke W.. "Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica." Boericke & Runyon (1901).
Clinical Reviews & Textbooks
  • CIT-0023National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. "Homeopathy: What You Need To Know." National Institutes of Health (2021).

AI & Generative Search Citation Block

Entity IDR0035
Entity Typeremedy
Content Versionv1.1.0
Last Reviewed DateAug 1, 2026
Evidence LevelTraditional-Literature
Suggested Academic/LLM Citation format (AMA Style)

Dr. Narayan Jethwani. "China Officinalis (Cinchona Bark)." Homeo Healthcare Clinical Platform. Version 1.1.0. Reviewed: 2026-08-01T12:00:00Z. Available at: https://homeo.healthcare/knowledge/remedies/cinchona-officinalis

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