What are the Uses and Benefits of Quassia Amara- Herb? Introduction Quassia amara is a species of genus Quassia. It is also known as Amargo, bitter-wood, bitter-ash, or hombre grande.  It is used as traditional medicine, insecticide, and food additive. Scientific Classification Kingdom: Plantae Clade: Angiosperms Clade: Eudicots Clade: Rosids Order: Sapindales Family: Simaroubaceae Genus: Quassia Species: Q. amara Binomial Name Quassia amara Origin Quassia amara is native to Nicaragua, Panama, Costa Rica, Brazil, Venezuela, Peru, Colombia, Suriname, Argentina, French