Quassia amara and What It Can Teach Us about How to Treat Skin Rash Naturally and the Role of the Spleen and Blood in Diseases That Produce a Rash
Skin rashes, especially those that are accompanied by additional symptoms of disease, are often linked to issues with the spleen and the blood. Viral infections like Variola virus / Smallpox, Monkeypox (Mpox) and Morbillivirus hominis / measles distribute themselves quickly in the body via the lymphatic system. In studies examining orthopox viruses like smallpox and Mpox, the infection begins in the lungs (as a disease that’s transmissible through the air) and it progresses through the respiratory tract. It then moves quickly to the liver and the spleen through a breach in the macrophage barrier (macrophages are a type of white blood cell that normally surround pathogens in order to kill them).
Orthopoxviruses like smallpox and Mpox (and also, likely, measles virus) then replicate extensively in the liver and in the spleen to produce necrotic areas (cells and tissues of an organ that are dead). Necrotic areas in tissues are often caused by viral infection where viruses have begun to colonize the organ. Virions (a complete, infective form of a virus) are liberated into the bloodstream at this stage, which causes infection of the skin, lungs, intestines, kidneys, and other organs too in some cases. Two to three days pass while viruses replicate to reach a high level in the bloodstream before patients begin to experience noticeable symptoms of disease.
Click here to learn more about the CDS / MMS Protocols Database.
During this time, after known exposure to a disease, but before symptoms develop, a reactive oxygen species medicine like Chlorine Dioxide Solution (CDS) / Miracle Mineral Supplement (MMS), food grade hydrogen peroxide, ozone therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, or an herb such as Artemisia annua can be extremely beneficial in supporting the organ tissues to prevent necrosis and to help the organs continue functioning properly.The spleen and the liver are target organs where viruses replicate, but the bone marrow and lymph nodes are also prime locations for viruses like measles or even COVID-19 as well as a number of other viruses to replicate too. While some viruses use “cell-associated” transmission to spread such that they are not exposed to the milieu outside of cells where antibodies might be able to neutralize them, other viruses use “cell-free transmission” to move from one type of cell to a different type. Cell-free transmission has its advantages for viruses in some cases, to spread from one person to another more easily. Smallpox, for example, is a viral infection that, like measles, begins with a high fever (104 degrees F / 40 degrees C) and then progresses to the development of a blistering skin rash.The development of the skin rash marks the end of the incubation period for the viral infection.
In hemorrhagic viral infections like yellow fever, ebola, and dengue, in contrast, the high fever begins to subside and then cytokine-storm / sepsis symptoms begin (abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, difficulty breathing / ARDs, and bleeding / signs of hemorrhage). In dengue fever, a high fever is followed by a critical period that lasts 24-48 hours (approximately) during which time plasma can leak from the blood vessels which can lead to fluid accumulation (blood and plasma) in organ tissues. The critical period is like the eye of storm, where symptoms may seem to resolve before the storm hits with an even greater fury. Fluid leakage from the blood vessels can lead to shock. In yellow fever, as with dengue, the period of feverishness is followed once again by the so-called “critical period” during which time liver failure can occur and hemorrhaging from the mouth, nose, eyes, or stomach. About 50% of patients who develop severe symptoms of hemorrhage during the critical period of yellow fever die within 7-10 days.
Ebola follows a similar course to the other hemorrhagic fevers and to viral infections in general. It begins with an incubation period (incubation period times vary), followed by a period of fever and flu-like symptoms. In ebola, the skin rash appears around the same time that the critical “wet” period of the illness begins (which includes vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhagic bleeding). The virus damages the vital organs which can lead to blood clotting dysfunction in the lungs, heart, kidneys, and liver. Many of the fatalities due to ebola are caused by blood loss and hypotensive shock though neurological issues and seizures also play a role in fatalities. Disease progression after infection with Morbillivirus hominis, the virus that causes measles, on the other hand, involves similarities with the hemorrhagic fever viruses and disease progression, though measles infection is considerably much milder as a general rule. Measles is a skin-rash disease that involves an incubation period (when no symptoms occur) followed by a period of fever and flu-like symptoms. After this initial period of flu-like symptoms, Koplik spots may appear in the mouth followed by a skin rash. One difference between measles infection and infection with one of the hemorrhagic fever viruses is that the skin rash often heralds a fever spike of 104 degrees F / 40 degrees C or higher while in the hemorrhagic fevers illnesses, the fever goes away and the patient appears to be getting better during the critical period. Within 24-48 hours after the critical period begins it typically ends for hemorrhagic infection and patients either get worse or they get better. Either the patient develops more serious symptoms or complications associated with the illness during the critical period or they recover fully. But it warrants noting here that COVID-19, yet another viral infection, can develop into what has been referred to as a “cytokine storm” that can, in some cases, involve a rash as well as other symptoms signifying that the term “critical period” would also be relevant for the COVID virus illness disease progression as well. The length of each stage of illness varies from one viral illness to another. And the seriousness of these various viral infection stages also varies, particularly in regard to what has been referred to as cytokine storm / sepsis / wet periods that involve a more serious stage of illness involving hemorrhage or damage to the internal organs. Scientists have acknowledged that viruses have a particular affinity for specific organs and, the health of that organ or organs plays a major role in whether the disease process can be overcome or whether it turns into multi-organ failure, acute respiratory failure, hemorrhage and other life-threatening issues. In viral infection, destruction of organ tissues is a serious issue as well as the dissemination of viruses via the nerves to cause neurological damage. Viruses such as rabies, herpes, and polio may spread via nerves, for example, to infect the nervous system. After viral infection, viral shedding proceeds from the respiratory tract, the skin, the digestive tract (mouth and spit) as well as via the blood. Viral shedding, however, can occur at almost any site on the body.
Click here to learn more and download the Living Database now.
Measles as a Model of Viral Infection
Using measles as a model for viral infection, we should note that this virus has an affinity for the liver and the spleen. Vitamin A deficiency is known to lead to measles infection as well as poor outcomes from measles infection due to complications. If a measles outbreak were to occur, both adults and children might consider working with herbs that contain high levels of vitamin A, taking cod liver oil supplements, or beta carotene supplements. But, if a child or an adult had a liver issue that led to bile secretion issues or a pancreatic issue, it may be difficult for this person (child or adult) to properly absorb vitamin A in any form. Bile (which comes from the liver) and the pancreatic enzyme, lipase, are responsible for breaking fats down into their component nutrient-parts including the fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A. If the pancreas or the liver is compromised in some way such that they were not producing an adequate quantity of lipase or bile, vitamin A deficiency could develop even with supplementation with vitamin A containing herbs or supplements. To overcome this problem, a person would want to take a vitamin-A containing supplement as well as a pancreatic enzyme and bile supplement. But for now, let’s just earmark the idea that the liver and spleen involvement in measles infection necessitates supplementation with vitamin A, bile, and lipase pancreatic enzymes to ensure proper digestion and absorption of these nutrients. Necrosis or cell death in the liver or in the pancreas as a result of viral infection could theoretically cause this problem to develop and self-perpetuate Different types of viral infection that involve different target organs might require other nutrients in higher-than-usual doses to ensure that the organ is strong enough to resist colonization. Enzyme therapies might also be necessary to ensure proper absorption of the required nutrients.Quassia amara vs. Carica papaya for Viral Infection
A gold-standard herb for viral infection is Carica papaya. Carica papaya is an herb that treats dengue fever and it can also be used to prevent dengue hemorrhagic fever or diminish symptoms (and likely other hemorrhagic symptoms of ebola and yellow fever), but it has also been used to successfully treat other viruses to prevent more serious complications associated with these infections.The juice or powder of Carica papaya leaves have significant activity against dengue virus, COVID-19 and severe acute respiratory syndrome (ARDs), chikungunya, Zika, and HIV infection, but Carica papaya is, like Quassia amara, an anti-diabetic herb. Perhaps both of these herbs function to fortify pancreatic function such that pancreatic enzymes (as well as insulin) are kept at sufficient levels in the body, ensuring that nutrients are digested and also absorbed into cells for repair and healing. Keeping lipase, as a pancreatic enzyme, at proper levels might explain why Carica papaya leaves assist the body during certain viral infections to prevent serious complications.
We should also remember that the Carcica papaya plant produces an orange fruit, indicating that it contains high levels of vitamin A. Though Carica papaya leaves are used medicinally for viruses, this fact that the papaya fruit itself contains 32% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin A and 68% of the recommended daily allowance of vitamin C is worth mentioning. The Carica papaya fruit is also known for its ability to digest food in a manner that’s similar to how pancreatic enzymes digest food. Carica papaya fruit extract is often combined with pineapple fruit extract in pancreatic enzyme supplements to support exocrine pancreatic function. Carcica papaya leaves, in contrast, contain vitamin A, B vitamins, and vitamin C as well as substances that are similarly digestive like pancreatic enzymes to ensure that vitamin A and the other fat-soluble vitamins are properly absorbed by the body.
Click here to schedule a health coaching call with us.
Quassia amara as an Herbal Bath to Reduce Measles Itching
Carica papaya and Quassia amara both have an impact on digestive health, but Carica papaya leaf is famous as an herbal remedy for dengue fever and other hemorrhagic fevers. Quassia amara, in contrast, has been used as an herbal wash for measles rash, but one of its medicinal substances (2-methyoxycanthin-6-one) has anti-ulcer effects that are relevant when administered both internally and also as an external treatment for ulcers. In the stomach, 2-methyoxycanthin-6-one has a dose-dependent effect on decreasing gastric acidity. As a whole-herbal treatment for stomach ulcers, Quassia amara acts not only as an antihistamine to reduce gastric acid secretion, but also as to reduce seborrheic dermatitis (a chronic, mild skin problem that is very common).Studies have shown that the 2-methoxycanthin-6-one in Quassia amara significantly inhibits both basal and histamine-induced gastric acid secretion. This suggests that Quassia amara probably acts to inhibit histamine H1. This fact, explains why Quassia amara is used primarily as a skin wash for measles infection. The antihistamine effect of this herb can help reduce measles rash itching while also killing the measles virus that’s present on the surface of the skin during the skin rash phasen to reduce viral shedding. Quassia amara is an herbal antiviral medicine that can be administered internally against measles infection, but this herb also has antihistamine effects to reduce itching naturally during measles infection as a bath. It can, of course, be used for other itchy skin rash infections or for an allergic urticaria rash at a 4% solution with water.
Click here to buy Quassia amara extract.
Click here for more information about dosing Quassia amara as an herbal treatment for measles.
Resources:
• European Medicines Agency (2009). Assessment report on Arctium lappa L., radix. Retrieved March 17, 2025 from https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-report/final-assessment-report-arctium-lappa-l-radix_en.pdf
• Balkrishna, A. et al. (2022). Quassia amara L.: A Comprehensive Review of its Ethnomedicinal Uses, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicity. A Retrieved March 17, 2025 from https://www.phytopharmajournal.com/Vol11_Issue3_10.pdf
• Bleyer, A. (1926). Enlargement of the Spleen in Measles. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapediatrics/article-abstract/1174240
• Chapman, J. et al. (2023). Splenomegaly. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430907/
• No Author (1999). Clinical Features of Smallpox (chapter) taken from Assessment of Future Scientific Needs for Live Variola Virus. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK230904/#:~:text=The%20likely%20sites%20for%20viral,blood%20is%20largely%20cell%2Dassociated.
• Slifka, M. K. et al. (2003). Measles virus infection results in suppression of both innate and adaptive immune responses to secondary bacterial infection. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC153759/
• Toma, W. et al. (2003). Evaluation of the analgesic and antiedematogenic activities of Quassia amara bark extract. Retrieved March 18, 2025 from https://www.researchgate.net/publication/10910294_Evaluation_of_the_analgesic_and_antiedematogenic_activities_of_Quassia_amara_bark_extract
