Jalape: Applications, Treatments, Health Benefits

Jalape is a South American climbing plant, which blooms very decoratively. Extracts from the root have a strong laxative effect. Today, jalape is considered a poisonous plant and is used in medicine exclusively in small doses as a combination preparation or homeopathically.

Occurrence and cultivation of jalape

The jalape is native to the Mexican region as well as Panama and Jamaica. Therefore, it also bears the nickname Mexican purging vine. It bears the scientific name Ipomea purga and belongs to the genus of purging vine. This is part of the Convolvulaceae and belongs to the order of the Solanaceae. The jalape is native to Mexico, Panama and Jamaica. Therefore, it is also called the Mexican purging vine. Also to distinguish it from the oriental purging vine – which, unlike the jalape, is not poisonous. It grows preferentially in humid mountainous regions. The jalape is cultivated in South America and India. The jalape is a perennial, herbaceous plant. It can reach a height of several meters. It twists in a left-hand direction and climbs up everything that is in its vicinity. Its root is large, tuberous or turnip-like and secretes abundant milky sap. This contains a large amount of resin. Its foliage leaves reach a length of between five and twelve centimeters. In shape, the leaves form a heart or are ovate. The leaves are very thin and have a skin-like appearance. The leaf blade tapers to a point and is deeply notched. The leaf margin is smooth and has no serrations or notches. In December, the jalape begins to bloom. The flowers stand alone or in pairs and are red to purple in color. The flower shape resembles a funnel with a maximum length of eight centimeters. The hem of the flower resembles a wheel or a bell. Its sepals do not have hairs and are of different length.

Effect and use

According to historians, the jalapeño plant was imported to Europe from Mexico in the early 17th century. The Spanish conquistadors learned about the plant and its uses from the Native American tribes. In Germany, the jalape was publicized since 1650, mainly by the University of Leipzig. The jalape is still known today as a medicinal plant. In that century, people believed in the positive effect of laxatives. At that time, purging was also called purging – according to the epithet of the jalape, purging vine. The dried milky juice from the root tuber is used. These extracts have a very strong laxative effect and the jalape enjoyed great popularity in the 17th and 18th centuries. A regular laxative was believed to help against numerous diseases. This is comparable to the enthusiasm for bloodletting in the Middle Ages. Thus, despite major side effects, strong laxative medicinal plants – also called drastics (drastically acting laxatives) – were in great demand. With increasing medical enlightenment, skepticism against laxatives also grew, and so the jalape became less important in folk medicine. This climbing plant contains the so-called jalapin and convolvulin (both resins), glycoretins, coumarins, phytosterols and mannitol. The convolvulin forms the main component with 55 percent. The strong laxative effect is caused by the resinous glycosides contained. Nature offers a large number of laxative substances. Most of them act on the large intestine. Rather rare is an effect on the small intestine. In addition to castor oil – which is the best-known laxative – the resin of the jalapeno root is also one of them. However, this substance is a drug. The intestinal mucosa is strongly irritated. As a result, gushing diarrhea occurs. Initially, the diarrhea is watery, and as it progresses, blood may be mixed in. These diarrheas are accompanied by colicky abdominal pain. Acute gastroenteritis can lead to death if left untreated. In scientific investigations it was determined that the effect of the resins is based on a presence of bile in the intestine. The bile serves as a solvent for the glycosides it contains.

Importance for health, treatment and prevention.

As a medicinal plant used in folk medicine for centuries, jalape also surrounds a magical meaning. Thus, in Native American beliefs, it represents good luck in love, success and monetary blessings.In the case of emerging or already manifested diseases, remedies have always been used to cleanse the body and to eliminate toxins. Due to the ignorance of physiological processes in the body at that time, one also accepted strong side effects – up to death. Diseases were associated with the presence of bad bodily fluids. These had to be drained. Jalape has been used for colitis, colic, bacterial enteritis, other intestinal diseases and rheumatism. This laxative cure was also used for the widespread gout. Due to the uncontrollably strong effect of this substance and the great pain in the stomach and intestinal area, pure jalape extracts are no longer used today. In cases of existing worm infestation or dropsy, an extract of jalape is prescribed as a strong laxative. It is also contained in products to stimulate intestinal function or urination in minimal doses. In historical writings one also reads of its use in mental disorders, especially restlessness. Homeopathic application is possible. The potency D3 is available on prescription. This is prescribed, for example, for infantile diarrhea and nocturnal restlessness.