Chinchona
/ʃɪnˈkoʊnə/noun
A genus of South American trees whose bark is a source of quinine, used historically to treat malaria.
Did you know?Chinchona was named in the 18th century after the Countess of Chinchón, but the famous “miracle bark” story became a powerful blend of medicine, empire, and sacred-sounding cure lore.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian
Quechua/Andean
unknown
“The tree was known locally in the Andes for its medicinal bark long before European contact.”
1630s
Spanish
quina-quina
“A colonial name for the bark, associated with indigenous medicinal use and early European reports.”
1630s
Latin
Cinchona
“A learned botanical name created in Europe, linked to the Countess of Chinchón in later tradition.”
18th Century
French/Latin
Cinchona
“The genus name became standardized in botanical classification for the bark-bearing trees.”
Modern English
English
chinchona
“The modern English name for the genus of quinine-producing trees.”