Herbalist Guild
Brought to the New Realm by the Caral-Supe Dragons, the cinchona bark is prized for it’s ability to address fevers, digestive issues, and muscle spasms.
The bark is harvested from the tree, dried and then ground into a fine powder. It is used to as a tonic to aid digestion after a feast and during challenges to aid muscles.
The bark pieces are also used as an ingredient in alcohol in conjunction with other spices and herbs.
The seeds of the Cinchona tree were planted and grown in the valley’s just outside of the City of Caral. These trees were prized on Olde Earth from where the folk came from. It is an important part of folklore of the Caral-Supe Dragons and many stories from Olde Earth are still recited in the New Realm.
Entry for WorldEmber 2024
Comments
Author's Notes
Dear Reader,
The cinchona tree grows in South America, where the Caral-Supe Dragons originated from. The tree was, and still is, an important part of the indigenous people of South America, particularly the Quechua-speaking communities. When the Spanish colonized South America, they brought malaria to the people. The bark of the tree was ground into a powder and used to treat malaria until 1944. Pharmacists originally used cinchona bark to make tonic water to aid digestion. People later combined this tonic with gin to create a refreshing gin and tonic!
You can find the bark in herbalist stores, spice stores, and even on Amazon.
Within the New Realm, the folk use the bark as an ingredient in making House bitters - a spirit infused with herbs and spices, and their well known tonic water. After a feast, hosts traditionally offer guests a, fragrant digestive tonic to promote relaxation and aid digestion. It’s mortifying for hosts when guests depart clutching their queasy stomachs, the result of a less-than-successful meal.
For more information regarding the historical significance of the cinchona tree, review the resources below.
Lastly, while the written content of this article is written by me, the artwork is AI generated.
Non-affiliated Resources:
Verified AI generated sources
Wellcome Collection: This source provides detailed historical context on the use of cinchona bark, particularly its role in treating malaria and its significance during colonization.
Tambopata Lodge: This source discusses the traditional uses of quinine, derived from cinchona bark, and its impact on global health.
Brown University: This PDF source offers insights into the broader historical and cultural uses of cinchona bark, including its medicinal and culinary applications.
Where to Buy
Always check with a medical professional before consuming holistic products. For more information about this ingredient, visit Herbal Supplement Resource
Canada
Amazon Canada - Cinchona Bark
The Silk Road Spices - Cinchona Bark