"Amara" refers to the bitterness of the bark of this valuable medicinal plant from South America. It is traditionally used for a very wide range of complaints including appetite, digestion, urinary tract infections, diarrhea and dysentery, malaria, and smallpox. This may make it sound like a panacea, but the bitter principle quassimarin has demonstrated antiparasitic, antileukemic, antitumoral, and febrifugal properties. It is also used to support vision for those whose eyes have been affected by excess consumption of alcohol. We suggest that it be used in smaller dosages than most herbs and for shorter periods of time.