/oss/taxonomy/term/1707/all en /oss/article/controversial-science-drugs-health-news/goldenseal <p>During the Civil War northern forces blocked a number of Confederate ports. One of the consequences of the blockade was a dire shortage of cinchona bark imported from South America. The bark was in great demand, being the first substance ever found to be an effective treatment for malaria. Quinine, first isolated in 1820 was the active ingredient. Because of a lack of quinine, word went out from the surgeon general of the Confederate army asking that a search be launched for any native plants that might have fever reducing properties similar to cinchona.</p> Mon, 23 Jun 2014 14:20:21 +0000 Joe Schwarcz PhD 2157 at /oss