{"product_id":"hombre-grande-quassia","title":"Hombre Grande (Quassia)","description":"\u003cp\u003eOrganic Hombre Grande Bark \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBotanical: Quassia amara | Also called Bitter Wood, Quassia, Amargo, Pau Amargo \u003cbr\u003eIntensely bitter wood from a tropical tree native to Suriname, Brazil, and the Caribbean. Named “hombre grande” — big man — for its powerful action as a digestive bitter and cleansing herb. Used in traditional medicine for over 300 years. Considered one of the strongest bitters in the plant kingdom. Naturally caffeine-free. Extremely bitter — use small amounts.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHerbal benefits \u003cbr\u003eHombre Grande is prized for its quassinoid compounds that make it 50x more bitter than gentian:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDigestive bitter: #1 traditional use. Intensely bitter flavor stimulates digestive juices, bile flow, and enzymes. Used for sluggish digestion, bloating, gas, and poor appetite\u003cbr\u003eLiver \u0026amp; gallbladder support: Strong cholagogue action increases bile production and flow. Traditional remedy for sluggish liver, jaundice, and gallstones\u003cbr\u003eParasite cleansing: Classic antiparasitic herb. Bitter quassinoids create inhospitable environment for intestinal worms, amoebas, and candida. Used in cleansing protocols\u003cbr\u003eFever reducer: Traditional febrifuge used for malaria, fevers, and chills. Bitter compounds help break fevers through diaphoretic action\u003cbr\u003eBlood cleanser: Used in folk medicine to “clean the blood” and support detoxification. Stimulates elimination organs\u003cbr\u003eHair \u0026amp; scalp tonic: Topical #1 use. Bitter wash used for dandruff, lice, and scalp infections. Stimulates circulation to hair follicles\u003cbr\u003eAppetite stimulant: Strong bitter reflex increases hunger. Used for wasting, convalescence, and poor appetite\u003cbr\u003eDiabetes support: Traditional use to support healthy blood sugar levels. Bitter compounds may improve glucose metabolism\u003cbr\u003eInsect repellent: Topical wash repels mosquitoes, lice, and insects. Used as natural bug spray in the tropics\u003cbr\u003eTonic \u0026amp; restorative: Used after illness to rebuild strength and digestive fire. “Tones” the entire system\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTaste \u0026amp; use \u003cbr\u003eExtremely bitter, woody, and astringent. Most bitter herb most people will ever taste. Not for casual sipping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHow to use: \u003cbr\u003eTea: ¼ tsp or less per cup. Steep 10 minutes. Sip slowly before meals for digestion. Very small dose due to intensity. \u003cbr\u003eTopical wash: Strong decoction for hair\/scalp issues or insect repellent. Do not drink this strength. \u003cbr\u003eCold infusion: Soak 1 tsp in cold water overnight for less bitter, more mineral-rich extraction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat makes it different \u003cbr\u003eHombre Grande means “big man” because it gives strength and power to weak digestion. The tree was named after a Surinamese healer named Quassi who used it to treat fevers in the 1700s. Quassinoids are so bitter they can be detected at 1 part per 60,000 — 50x more bitter than quinine. Unlike most bitters, it contains no tannins so it won’t constipate. The wood is naturally insect-resistant and was used to make medicine cups — water left in the cup became bitter medicine. One of the few herbs that acts on parasites, digestion, and liver all at once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALKAGRIND","offers":[{"title":"4oz","offer_id":52209271865618,"sku":null,"price":15.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0857\/3960\/2194\/files\/IMG-2858.heic?v=1776794066","url":"https:\/\/alkagrind.com\/products\/hombre-grande-quassia","provider":"ALKAGRIND","version":"1.0","type":"link"}