Angostura Interactions Overview

Angostura is a shrub-like tree native to Venezuela and other tropical areas of South America, growing up to 4-5 meters high with smooth, gray bark. The bark is used in medicine, particularly for its properties in treating fever, diarrhea, preventing recurrence of malaria, and as an antispasmodic. When taken in large doses, angostura can have cathartic and emetic effects. In foods, angostura is used in alcoholic beverages, although angostura bitters no longer contain angostura, but gentian and other bitters. The bark contains angostura bitters 1 and 2, alkaloids like cuspareine, cusparine, and galipine, as well as a volatile oil. Galipinine and other alkaloids in angostura have shown antimalarial effects in vitro, supporting its traditional use for malaria prevention. The alkaloids cusparine and galipine also exhibit antispasmodic effects in vitro. Angostura is considered Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for use in foods in the United States.