Ipecacuanha Health Dictionary

  1. Health Encyclopedia
  2. Ipecacuanha

Ipecacuanha: From 3 Different Sources

A drug (also called ipecac) used to induce vomiting in the treatment of types of poisoning.
Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
The root of Cephaëlis ipecacuanha, a Brazilian shrub. It contains an alkaloid, emetine, which acts as an irritant when brought into contact with the interior of the stomach, producing vomiting. Formerly used to induce vomiting among young children after poisoning and if still alert, but now of uncertain value, it was used in many traditional expectorant mixtures

(see EXPECTORANTS) given in the treatment of BRONCHITIS. (See POISONS.)

Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. a plant extract used in small doses, usually in the form of tinctures and syrups, as an *expectorant to relieve coughing and to induce vomiting. Ipecacuanha irritates the digestive system, and high doses may cause severe digestive upsets.
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Cephaelis Ipecacuanha

(Brot.) A. Rich.

Psychotria ipecacuanha

Family: Rubiaceae.

Habitat: Native to tropical America. Now cultivated in Darjeeling, Assam, in the Nilgiris, and in Sikkim.

English: Ipecac, Ipecacuanha.

Action: Root—Antiprotozal, expectorant (in low doses), diaphoretic, emetic (in high doses); used in amoebic dysentery, stubborn cough, whopping cough (for liquefying bronchial phlegm).

Key application: As expectorant, emetic. (The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia.)

The root contains isoquinoline alkaloids (consisting mainly of emetine and cephaeline); tannins (ipecacuanha and ipecacuanhic acid; glycosides including a monoterpene isoquinoline derivative); saponins; a mixture of glycoproteins; starch; choline; resins.

The alkaloids are clinically useful in the treatment of amoebiasis.

Emetine and cephaeline are emetic due to their irritating effect on stomach; cephaeline is more toxic. Emetine is a standard antiamoebic principle. In smaller doses, both are expectorant.

The fluid extract is 14 times stronger than the syrup of the crude drug. The powder is toxic at 1-2 g.

Emetine accumulates in liver, lungs, kidneys and spleen; traces are detectable after 40-60 days. (Francis Brinker.)... cephaelis ipecacuanha

Ipecacuanha Root

Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Brot.) A. Rich. German: Brachwurzel. French: Ipecacuanha. Spanish: Ipecacuanha. Italian: Ipecaquana. Rhizome and root. Practitioner use only. Contains alkaloid and saponin emetine, glycosides, tannins.

Action: expectorant, diaphoretic, antiprotozal BHP (1983), emetic (large doses). Acts upon the pneumogastric nerve. Antispasmodic. Stimulant to mucous membranes.

Uses: to liquefy bronchial phlegm and promote expectoration. Sore throat, whooping cough, stubborn cough. Amoebic dysentery. Expulsion of mucus from the chest. Alternative to a stomach pump to induce vomiting.

Combinations: with Lobelia for respiratory disorders. With Tincture Myrrh for bowel infection, orally or by enema.

Preparations: Average dose, rhizome and roots: 25-100mg. Thrice daily. Dose more accurately controlled by use of liquid extract or tincture rather than infusion or decoction.

Liquid extract BP 1973: dose 0.025 to 0.1ml. Emetic dose – 0.5 to 2ml.

Tincture BP (1973). Dose 0.25 to 1ml. Emetic dose 5 to 20ml.

Cough mixtures: an ingredient of. (Potter’s Balm of Gilead) etc. Contra-indications: shock, heart disease. ... ipecacuanha root


Health encyclopedia icon Health Encyclopedia

Recent Searches