Quebracho – Everything You Need to Know
Quebracho is a hardwood tree indigenous to South America. Their notoriously dense wood earned them a name derived from the Spanish phrase, “quebrar hacha,” which means “axe breaker.”
There are over 15 different species of quebracho tree and many are used for commercial purposes, but only a few are used medicinally. The quebracho trees known for their medicinal uses include:
- Schinopsis quebracho-colorado (sometimes called red quebracho)
- Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco (white quebracho)
The bark of the quebracho tree is most commonly used, though the heartwood of quebracho-colorado has been approved for use by a few select distributors.
Quebracho is a source of the world’s most stable polyphenol. These polyphenols are what makes quebracho of interest to medicine.
Most information currently available is on quebracho-blanco. However, in the realm of gut related issues, quebracho-colorado is proving to be more beneficial and excels where quebracho-blanco does not.
From this point on, this article will be discussing quebracho colorado.
How Does Quebracho Colorado Work?
Quebracho extract naturally contains tannins, a water-soluble polyphenol.
Tannins are large flavonoids that readily bond to hydrogen, which significantly reduces methane production and disrupts and destroys bacterial lipid bilayers.
The polyphenols in quebracho have been considered some of the most prolific for reducing methane in the guts of ruminants – animals that have a specialized stomach that ferments food before digestion, namely cattle.
Quebracho is a macromolecule, meaning it isn’t absorbed by the intestines and remains in the gastrointestinal tract, interacting with substances present without being absorbed into the bloodstream.
Due to it’s stability, the polyphenols in quebracho are not denatured by gastric acid or pancreatic enzymes.
Quebracho is a proanthocyanidin within the class of tannins, making it an extremely powerful antioxidant.
In fact, quebracho colorado extract is 95 percent proanthocyanidin and 5 percent water soluble sugars, meaning it’s an potent source of this strong antioxidant.
Through the antioxidative effects, quebracho interrupts inflammatory processes.
The main beneficial characteristics of quebracho are it’s:
- Stability
- Large molecular size
- Ability to readily bond with hydrogen and methane
- Antifungal
- Antiviral
- Antimicrobial
- Anti-Inflammatory
These characteristics of quebracho are the foundation of its different medical uses.
How to Use Quebracho
Quebracho is usually derived from bark but select manufacturers have derived it from the heartwood.
Currently, the only manufacturer with permission to use quebracho colorado is Atrantil, a botanical treatment for bloating and digestive issues.
Quebracho Uses & Benefits
Polyphenols are antioxidants well known for their ability to fight free radicals in the body.
Quebracho is a potent source of stable polyphenols, which is where most of its medicinal effects come from.
We would benefit from exploring more uses of this powerful antioxidant.
Quebracho readily bonds to hydrogen, thereby reducing the amount of hydrogen subsequently made into methane – a major cause of bloating and discomfort.
Secondly, quebracho is a natural antagonist to M. smithii, a predominant archaebacteria of the gut which gives off methane as a by-product.
Because of quebracho’s unique antifungal and antibacterial properties, it is able to target the cell wall lining of the archaebacteria.
Quebracho has been used to treat:
- Bloating
- Abdominal discomfort
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
Quebracho Dosage
There is still room for research surrounding best dosage practices of quebracho. Appropriate dosage is partly dependant on the processing and part of the plant it’s derived from.
For gut health treatments, quebracho is emerging as an effective option against the pervasive and growing list of gut conditions in America.
Quebracho Safety
Studies on animals and humans have shown that quebracho is safe and effective when used as a food additive.
Multiple studies have used quebracho to reduce methane in dairy cows. Additional studies have also been completed on squirrels, guinea pigs, black bears, and chimpanzees, to help replicate the human anatomy.
A 2004 study on found quebracho safe for humans through a comparative in vitro study of the human stomach and small intestine.
Overall, quebracho is considered safe and effective for human medicinal use, especially when it comes to gastrointestinal related issues.
Due to its large molecular size it cannot easily be absorbed by the body, which is why there are little to no side effects.
Quebracho is FDA approved as a food additive permitted for human consumption.
Where Can I Find Quebracho?
Quebracho colorado isn’t widely available at this point. Some supplements are available, but these are nearly all quebracho blanco.
Be sure you don’t confuse quebracho colorado and quebracho blanco.
The best source of quebracho colorado is currently available in a gastrointestinal relief supplement, called Atrantil.
Atrantil leverages the resilience of quebracho in the gut to effectively reduce methane, which relieves bloating and other gastrointestinal issues.
i am taking Antrantil and I feel so so much BETTER!!!
Hi Ria,
Thank you for being a valued customer. We are so happy you are feeling better after taking Atrantil! Thank you so much for your feedback, we love hearing from our customers!
Best wishes,
Team Atrantil
Dear Atrantil Team;
I’ve ‘’suffered’’ with major bloating and discomfort, 20 to 60 minutes after meals, for well over 10 years now, and have been to many gastroenterologists with no success.
I just started taking Atrantil as of several days ago. Realistically speaking, how long do you suspect it will be before I really ‘’start seeing’’ some type of positive difference in my bloating symptoms and my bowel habits (right now I oscillate between constipation and diarrhea)? And can I expect my symptoms to get worse while initially taking Atrantil before they get better? Any guidance would be very much appreciated!
Kind regards,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your questions. Most people see results in 10-20 days while on Atrantil, but it really depends on the amount of bacterial overgrowth you have. Some people may see results right away or others it can take up to 30 days to have relief.
For best results, we recommend sticking to a low carb diet and stopping probiotics until you have had relief from your symptoms. Once you have had relief, you can slowly add back in both the carbs and probiotics.
Only a small percentage of people experience a worsening of symptoms, due to die-off. These people may experience temporary, cold/flu like symptoms such as; muscle ache/fatigue, runny nose, stomach ache/cramps, fatigue, nausea, etc. OR increased digestive symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, or bloating after taking Atrantil.
This is generally not a reaction to Atrantil, but a reaction to the Archaeabacteria dying off and releasing endotoxins that behave as a mild irritant. Die-off should be seen as a positive sign, indicating that Atrantil is working, you have is the correct diagnosis, it will end soon and run its course, and that you are close to relief from your issues! In most cases of Die-Off, taking one dose of Aspirin or Ibuprofen will bring relief from these symptoms. We hope this helps to clarify.
Thank you and best wishes,
Team Atrantil
Would an individual with high methane and high hydrogen levels on their 3 hour lactulose test benefit from taking Atrantil? Thanks
Hi Edward,
Thank you for your interest in Atrantil! Atrantil is designed to rid the small intestine of both methane and hydrogen/hydrogen sulfide producing bacteria. We hope this helps to clarify.
Thank you and best wishes,
Team Atrantil
Is the bacteria affected only while taking Atrantil? If you stop taking Atrantil, will the bacteria just come back? Thanks
purchased atrantil what diet do you recommend to use with it
If you have sibo or ibs it is recommended to follow a low fodmap diet for a couple of weeks and then a low fermentation diet for a few months. after the gut stabilizes you should add probiotics that reduce methane. and then heal the gut with L Glutamine, Zinc carnosine and colostrum. You then add foods that may have caused you issues in the past, one food at a time. creating a food log would be beneficial. best.
thanks
Hi Shirley,
Thank you for your interest in Atrantil. If you suffer from bloating and abdominal discomfort, with/without diarrhea, constipation or both, then Atrantil is likely a solution for you!
You can order Atrantil on our website at http://www.atrantil.ca, on Amazon or you can find a retailer near you on our store locator at http://www.atrantil.ca/store-locator/. We hope this helps to clarify.
Thank you and best wishes,
Team Atrantil
I’ve sought help from specialists for years. While Atrantil hasn’t solved my basic issue, it sure helps! More than anything I’ve tried, prescription or other, Atrantil has improved my life. I’ve even taken it to my doctors, who’d never heard of it.
Thank you so very, very much.
Dear Atrantil Team;
What adverse effects, if any, does Atrantil have on the liver? I have been taking Atrantil with every meal for approximately 6 months now and have realized tremendously positive results! I have a modestly fatty liver that is “NOT” associated with alcohol consumption, so I just want to know that Atrantil is safe for me to take every day. Please advise, thank you!
Kind regards,
Tom
Hi Tom,
Thank you for your interest in Atrantil. Atrantil has no known side effects. However, we always recommend talking to your health care provider prior to taking Atrantil to see if it is right for you.
Thank you and best wishes,
Team Atrantil