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Ipecac

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Synonyms:Ipecacuanha, Hippo, Radix ipecacuanhae

Biological source:

Botanical name: Cephaelis ipecacuanha

Part used: dried roots

Family: Rubiaceae

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Geographical source:

Indigenous to Brazil

Also found in Colombia, Malaya, Burma, Panama etc

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Macroscopical features

    • Color: brick red to brown
    • Odor: slight and characteristic
    • Taste: bitter and acrid
    • Shape: cylindrical, external surface broadly annulated
    • Size: 5-10 cm long, 6 mm in diameter
    • Other features:Ridges are rounded and encircle the root.Fracture is short and shows a thick, greyish bark and small dense wood.

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Microscopical features

    • Thin, brown cork
    • Secondary cortex consists of parenchyatous cells.
    • Calcium oxalate crystals and starch grains present.
    • Phloem is parenchymatous, no sclerenchymatous fibres present.
    • Xylem is composed of small vessels, tracheids, xylem fibres and xylem parenchyma.
    • Large pith is present.

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Chemical constituents

2-3% total alkaloids.

Few important are emetine, cephaeline, psychotrine etc

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Pharmacological action / Uses

    • Emetic, expectorant and diaphoretic.
    • Used in the treatment of amoebic dysentery.
    • Emetine has more expectorant and less emetic action than cephaleine.