Quillay - Indigenous Tree of Chile
Quillay grows between Coquimbo and Malleco. It is an evergreen tree that grows 15 meters high and 1 meter in diameter. The saponins are natural tensoactive constituents of the Quillay. It was known as the shampoo which was used for washing the indigenous hair and body. The indigenous people knew it and valued these properties.
Also it has a medicinal use.
It has been used for more than 100 years as frothy element in foods and drinks; production of films, cosmetics, soap for the hair, clothes etc. Main effects of the saponins of Quillay are: reduction of the superficial tension, persistent foam formation, to emulsify fats and oils, cellular membrane permeability, reduction of ammonia, activation for microbial growth. There are 300 scientific studies concluded and international patents that describe the use of the saponins of quillay for diverse applications.
Quillay bark is dark gray color. The leaves are simple, alternate, of short stalk, oblong form, almost smooth edge or hardly serrated, coriáceas, glabras and light green color. The white star-shaped flowers, are solitary or arranged on short stalks. Blooms take place from October until January. The fruit is a woody star-shaped capsule with five pointed lobes.
MEDICINAL USES
Quillay can be used as a stimulating expectorant, for the bronchitis, specially in the first phase. In addition, stimulate the fluidity of the mucus like other plants that contain saponin,. It is useful in disorders associated with the common cold. It should not be used for dry cough. Also it is used like hair cosmetic.
CULTIVATION
It does not have special requirements and is very adaptable to dry atmosphere and poor soils. It resists frosts and prunings well. It is not cultivated. It is propagated by seeds. For germination, a cold-humid stratification during 15 days or cold water immersion during 72 hours could be applied. It is cultivated mainly as an ornamental. Distance required between plants within a row is 3 meters (1,111 pl ha -1). Planting until the end of August is recommended in the South. It is fertilized with 60 to 80 kg nitrogen ha -1. Humidity excesses must be avoided near to the neck of the plant. It requires corrective pruning.
Source: Medicinal plants in Chile