Angostura Herb Information

Scientific Name: Galipea officinalis syn Galipea cuspana

well known Angostura Bitters were first produced in Angostura, Venezuela (currently Cuidad, Bolivar ).

Angostura herb is native to tropical South America (Caroni region of Venezuela and northern Brazil). Leaves are trifoliate and smell of tobacco and the flowers are white, tubular and hairy having an unpleasant odor. The flowers produce 5-celled seed capsules containing round black seeds. Angostura plant is not cultivated, but collected from the wild.

Uses of Angostura

• Angostura is bitter tonic, aromatic bitter, stimulant, stomachic.
• Angostura herb is used as a substitute for cinchona
• Stimulates liver and gallbladder.
• Lowers fevers.
• Relaxes spasms.
• Angostura herb is used for dysentary, bilious diarrhea, poor appetite, feverish illnesses, intermittant fever, and edema.
• Angostura is laxative and emetic in large doses (anything over 15 grains of the powder).