Ipecacuanha Health Benefits

Stem plant

Medicinal drug

Ipecacuanhae radix – Ipecacuanha root: Ipecacuanha root consists of the crushed and dried underground organs of (bread.) A. Rich, known as Matto-Grosso Ipecacuanha, or of Karsten, known as Costa Rica Ipecacuanha, or of a mixture of both species (PhEur). PhEur requires a minimum content of total alkaloids.

Preparations

  • Ipecacuanhae extractum ethanolicum liquidum
  • Ipecacuanhae extractum fluidum normatum PhEur
  • Ipecacuanhae extractum liquidum
  • Ipecacuanhae extractum siccum
  • Ipecacuanhae extractum siccum normatum PH
  • Ipecacuanhae pulvis normatus PhEur
  • Ipecacuanhae syrupus compositus
  • Ipecacuanhae tinctura normata PhEur

Ingredients

Alkaloids: ipecacuanhaalkaloids: emetine, cephaeline, psychotrine, O-methylpsychotrine.

Effects

  • Ejection-promoting (small doses).
  • Emetic (higher doses)
  • Antiparasitic (emetine)
  • Antispasmodic (Emetin)

Fields of application

  • Drug, preparations: Productive cough, bronchitis, as an expectorant.
  • As an emetic for poisoning
  • Emetine as an antiprotozoal agent in amebiasis (amoebic dysentery, not commercially available in this indication).
  • In alternative medicine

Dosage

Discontinued preparations, tea preparation not in use. Included on the market in some cold remedies.

Adverse effects

The drug is irritant. Emetine: numerous adverse effects: CNS, cardiac, musculoskeletal, liver toxicity.