Quebracho Bark - A Natural Remedy for Your Gut Health

Quebracho is an evergreen powerful tree that has long been growing in Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. It usually grows up to 20 meters in height. Their notoriously dense wood earned them a name derived from the Spanish phrase, “quebrar hacha,” which means “axe breaker.” There are over 15 different species of quebracho tree and many are used for commercial purposes, but only a few are used medicinally. The crown of the tree resembles a weeping willow. For medicinal use, the yellowish-brown or gray bark is harvested. Quebracho is a source of polyphenols, which are what make quebracho an herbal medicine. The quebracho trees known for their medicinal uses include Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (sometimes called red quebracho) and Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (white quebracho).

The polyphenols in quebracho have been considered very effective to reduce methane in the leaky gut, which causes gassing and bloating. Quebracho bonds to hydrogen, thereby reducing the amount of hydrogen that is made into methane, which is a major cause of bloating and discomfort. Quebracho contains proanthocyanidin within the class of tannins, making it a potent antioxidant. Tannins or tannoids are a class of astringent and polyphenolic biomolecules that bind to proteins and various other organic compounds including amino acids and alkaloids. Tannins are large flavonoids that readily bond to hydrogen, which significantly reduces methane production and disrupts and destroys bacterial lipid bilayers in your digestive tract. Quebracho bark is not only a great remedy for excess gas in the GI tract, but it is also antifungal, antimicrobial, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory. Quebracho is a natural antagonist to M. smithii, a predominant bacterium in the gut that produces methane as a by-product. Because of quebracho’s unique antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is able to target the intestine wall lining. Hydrogens are what lead to bloating in our gut, so with these tannins bonding with the hydrogen molecules, it is able to remove them before they release gases. Quebracho is a macromolecule, meaning it isn’t absorbed by the intestines and remains in the gastrointestinal tract, interacting with substances present without being absorbed into the bloodstream. Due To this unique stability, the polyphenols in quebracho are not destroyed by gastric acid or pancreatic enzymes. This allows it to improve your gut health before it is digested and removed from the body.

The main active ingredients of the plant are alkaloids, represented by aspidospermine and quebrachine-yohimbine. Yohimbe and other alkaloids in the bark extract can block specific receptors that inhibit fat loss, therefore, it promotes weight loss too. Since ancient times, quebracho bark has been prepared as an excellent remedy for liver diseases, fever, and for general health improvement. People also take quebracho for asthma and health challenges related to the lower respiratory tract including loosening chest congestion and using it as a respiratory tract stimulant. Quebracho is also used to treat high blood pressure, spasms, fluid retention, fever, and pain in folk medicine. In homeopathy, Quebracho is often used for cardiac issues and bronchial asthma. 

According to recent studies, quebracho is considered safe and effective for human medicinal use, especially when it comes to gastrointestinal-related issues. Due to its large molecular size, it cannot easily be absorbed by the body, which is why there is very little side effect. However, it is necessary to avoid overdoses during treatment, as this can cause nausea or vomiting. Be sure you don’t confuse Quebracho Colorado and Quebracho Blanco. Quebracho Colorado isn’t widely available at this point. Some supplements are available, but these are nearly all quebracho blanco. There are not so many supplements on the market right now related to this amazing medicinal herb, but with increased awareness, more quebracho products will be available in the near future to combat gut-related issues with grace and ease.

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