Mapuche
Medicinal herb
Quillay -
Indigenous Tree of Chile
Quillay grows between Coquimbo and
Malleco. It is an evergreen tree that grows 15 meters
high and 1 meter in diameter. The saponins are natural
tensoactive constituents of the Quillay. It was known
as the shampoo which was used for washing the indigenous
hair and body. The indigenous people knew it and valued
these properties.
Also it has a medicinal use.
It has been used for more than 100
years as frothy element in foods and drinks; production
of films, cosmetics, soap for the hair, clothes etc.
Main effects of the saponins of Quillay are: reduction
of the superficial tension, persistent foam formation,
to emulsify fats and oils, cellular membrane permeability,
reduction of ammonia, activation for microbial growth.
There are 300 scientific studies concluded and international
patents that describe the use of the saponins of quillay
for diverse applications.
Quillay bark is dark gray color. The
leaves are simple, alternate, of short stalk, oblong
form, almost smooth edge or hardly serrated, coriáceas,
glabras and light green color. The white star-shaped
flowers, are solitary or arranged on short stalks.
Blooms take place from October until January. The
fruit is a woody star-shaped capsule with five pointed
lobes.
MEDICINAL USES
Quillay can be used as a stimulating
expectorant, for the bronchitis, specially in the
first phase. In addition, stimulate the fluidity of
the mucus like other plants that contain saponin,.
It is useful in disorders associated with the common
cold. It should not be used for dry cough. Also it
is used like hair cosmetic.
CULTIVATION
It does not have special requirements
and is very adaptable to dry atmosphere and poor soils.
It resists frosts and prunings well. It is not cultivated.
It is propagated by seeds. For germination, a cold-humid
stratification during 15 days or cold water immersion
during 72 hours could be applied. It is cultivated
mainly as an ornamental. Distance required between
plants within a row is 3 meters (1,111 pl ha -1).
Planting until the end of August is recommended in
the South. It is fertilized with 60 to 80 kg nitrogen
ha -1. Humidity excesses must be avoided near to the
neck of the plant. It requires corrective pruning.
Source: Medicinal plants in Chile
