What was Jesuit Powder?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
April 30, 2002
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In England in 1642, Oliver Cromwell was a vehement anti-Catholic and strong supporter of the Parliamentarians. He opposed King Charles I who believed in a divine right to rule. Cromwell was appointed commander of a cavalry regiment and won a number of victories over the Royalists.
By 1648, Cromwell's army controlled the House of Commons and attempted to force Charles into a constitutional monarchy. Failing this, Cromwell had Charles I beheaded. Believing his actions were dictated by God, he ruled England and Ireland with an iron fist for the next eleven years.
Jesuit Powder was a bitter extract of the quinquina tree (Cinchona officinalis Linnaeus and other species) [sin kon' a o fish' i nal' is]. This medicinal was discovered around 1630 by Spanish Jesuits studying the herbal lore of the Peruvians. Peruvians had been using the bark of the quinquina to treat fevers for centuries.
The quartaine ague or malaria was so rampant in Italy the Vatican moved its operations to Avignon, France. (See What's in a Name?, September 7, 2001) In 1645, Jesuit Powder was sent to Rome for use at the Vatican. This made the powder immediately suspect by Protestants.
Cromwell's health began to fail around mid-1650s; he suffered fevers, chills, and rampant shivering. But he refused any treatments with the "Jesuit Poison". Cromwell died of malaria in 1658.
Bonnie Prince Charlie lived in exile during Cromwell's rule. He returned from France and became king on his 30th birthday in 1660. Unlike Cromwell, Charles II was moderate in his views and tolerant of various religions. Charles II was a patron of the sciences. When he caught malaria, he did not refuse the Jesuit Powder, now known as quinine.
The Missouri Botanical Garden Library has a photograph of Cinchona officinalis. To view the photograph, click on the link:
Click here to view the photograph
Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 | | 5 | | 6 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Who was José Celestino Mutis? Plants that Changed History - May 20, 2003
What is gin and tonic? What's in a Name? - May 23, 2003
Who smuggled quinine seeds for the British? Plants that Changed History - May 27, 2003
How did the Dutch monopolize quinine? Plants that Changed History - June 3, 2003
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Desk Reference to Nature's Medicine
National Geographic®
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Packed with color photos, botanical drawings, range maps, and more, this definitive guide to healing plants is a landmark reference in the field of natural medicine. From the Amazon to your own backyard, here's all you need to know about the characteristics, harvest, and medicinal uses of hundreds of medicinal plants.
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For millennia, humans have looked to nature for remedies to ailments great and small. Long before formal science enabled us to take a systematic approach to medicine, healers used plants to alleviate pain, ease the symptoms of dozens of diseases, and treat complaints of every kind. And today, countless people still use medicinal plants, whether in traditional roles or as building blocks for new research and innovative drugs.
Featuring 350 full-color photographs, botanical drawings, and maps, this accessible, fact-filled book is based on the work of renowned botanical experts and presents alphabetically arranged, beautifully illustrated entries for hundreds of plants touted for thousands of years to soothe, even heal. Each is clearly described, with full details of its physical appearance and medicinal uses; its origins and geographic distribution, how it's harvested and used in conventional and alternative medicine, a range map; and more.
With fascinating medical chronicle filled with informative sidebars on everything from ancient folklore to the latest research, readers learn how aspirin evolved from a concoction of willow bark to the familiar white pill of today, how the foxglove's flowery beauty contributes to the potent heart drug digitalis, and how many other now common treatments have deep historical and cultural roots. It's a journey that starts many centuries ago in remote places like the Amazon rain forest, where shamans practiced their powerful curative magic of plants, and leads to the high-tech pharmaceutical labs of today's scientists working to discover new plant-based drugs that can be used effectively to treat diseases major and minor alike, from cancer to the common cold.
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Meeting Trees
National Geographic®
The warm text of author Scott Russell Sanders combined with the luscious illustrations by artist Robert Hynes create an experience paralleled only by a real walk in the woods. The bond between son and father and their mutual respect for the forest are exquisitely depicted. Full-color illustrations. 32 pages. Hardcover. 8 1/2'' x 10 7/8''. © 1997 For ages 3 to 8.
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The Amateur Naturalist
National Geographic®
National Geographic naturalist Nick Baker brings you the ultimate how-to guide for exploring nature. An education in natural science unto itself, it's filled with page after page of fascinating secrets, surprising facts, and inspiring commentary that encourage the whole family to see the many sides of nature they've never seen before.
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From communicating with wildlife to reading the forest's hidden signs, the hands-on activities, beautiful photos, and detailed illustrations enthusiastically reveal everything you need to know to fully experience our beautiful world.
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National Geographic®
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You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
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