ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Quinquina

Have you ever heard of something called quinquina? It's a fancy word for a type of plant that grows in South America. It's also known as the cinchona tree.

This plant is special because it contains a chemical called quinine. Quinine is used to make medicine that helps people who are sick with serious diseases caused by tiny creatures called parasites.

When you take medicine made from quinquina, the quinine helps fight off the parasites and make you feel better. It's kind of like having a superhero come to help you when you're sick!

And if that wasn't cool enough, some people also use quinine to make a fancy drink called tonic water. It's a fizzy drink that has a bit of a bitter taste to it, but some people like it mixed with their favorite alcoholic drink.

So, in short, quinquina is a plant that has a special chemical called quinine that can help fight off parasites and make you feel better when you're sick. It's also used to make a fizzy drink called tonic water.