The study of quinology specifically focuses on the science of cinchonas.
Quinology, according to the provided reference, is defined as:
qui·nol·o·gy. -jē plural -es. : the science dealing with the cultivation, chemistry, and medicinal use of the cinchonas.
This means that quinology encompasses several key areas related to cinchona trees:
- Cultivation: Studying the best practices for growing cinchona trees.
- Chemistry: Analyzing the chemical compounds found in cinchona bark, particularly quinine and related alkaloids.
- Medicinal Use: Investigating the therapeutic applications of cinchona extracts, primarily for treating malaria.
Therefore, quinology represents a multidisciplinary field that combines botany, chemistry, and medicine.