Quina

Balsam of Peru resin has been used in medicine, pharmaceutical applications, in the food industry and in the perfume industry.  Medically, it has been used as a cough suppressant and the treatment of hemorrhoids.  Dentists have used it in the treatment of a condition known as dry socket.  The resin has been reported to inhibit the growth of  Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacteria which causes the disease known as tuberculosis, as well as the common ulcer-causing bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, at least in test-tube studies.  Because of these successes, it is used topically as a treatment for wounds and ulcers, as well as an antiseptic and in a treatment for relaxing the anal muscles which can alleviate hemorrhoids.  Balsam of Peru can also be found in a wide variety of other products including but not necessarily limited to: diaper rash ointments, hair tonics, anti dandruff preparations, feminine hygiene sprays, soaps, detergents, creams, lotions, and perfumes.

Health Hazards

Severe negative allergic reactions are quite uncommon but Quina has been known to cause reactions in sensitive individuals.  This is thought to be the result, primarily, of an allergic reaction to the Balsam of Peru resin, which is known to be an allergen in susceptible individuals.  Therefore, care should be taken especially if an individual has experienced allergic reactions with other woods or wood dust.

Complete information about health hazards associated with a wide variety of exotic hardwoods is available from The Wood Database along with additional information about the best use of a dust collection system, coupled with the use of personal protective equipment such as respirators, which is highly recommended when machining this wood.  Fortunately, I have never experienced any negative side effects from working with Quina.

Ecological Concerns

The species to which Quina belongs can become a highly invasive species when introduced into tropical countries where it is not native. In Sri Lanka it has overgrown several areas of a nature sanctuary and is rapidly spreading there.

The tree has also been introduced to several Pacific islands such as Fiji and to Indonesia and is a potential ecological threat there.

As always, the introduction of non-native plants, especially to tropical areas where growth is rapid, is frequently problematic and should only be undertaken in consultation with qualified local professionals.

My Personal Experiences

Personally I enjoyed working with Quina immensely and have added it to a very short list of tropical woods that I would be pleased to work with again in the future, especially in a bowl sized pieces if available.  I enjoyed the spicy scent while working with the wood and thought that it produced an attractive finished product with minimal trouble, no doubt in part due to the excellent functionality and replaceablity of my Easy Wood Tools carbide tips!