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Ipecac

Useful properties and applications of the root and syrup of ipecac


Description of ipecac

Ipecac is a small herbaceous plant, which has a rather thin stem and a few evergreen opposite leaves broadly lanceolate. Stem height varies from 15 to 60 cm At the top of each stem develops a beautiful inflorescence. The flower head is composed of small tubular flowers of white color.

The fruit of the plant presented a fleshy drupe. Long gray-brown horizontal rhizome is greyish-brown colour stretched deep underground. From him at the nodes depart the very long roots of hard wood and thick bark. The growth of the crust is uneven. Due to the annular constrictions, the roots like a kind of rosary. Ipecac grows in natural conditions only in Brazil, but widely cultivated India, Tanzania, Indonesia.

It is easy to meet in the most upper reaches of the Amazon, particularly in the right-hand tributaries. For medicinal purposes harvested adventitious roots knotty-thickened type. This shrub of family Rubiaceae is known to prefer moist rainforest.

Useful properties of ipecac

Special medicinal value have roots of ipecac. They contain such alkaloids as emetine, metamin, psychotron, protomation and zevalin. In addition there are various acids, saponins and phytosterol. Raw of the roots is widely used as a powerful expectorant. As a rule, used various alcohol and water infusions, extracts and syrups. In small doses, these agents cause rapid dilution and effective expectoration.

The amount of unique active ingredients of the plant significantly increases the secretion of bronchial glands, increases the activity of villi typical of the ciliated epithelium of the respiratory tract. The occurrence of conditioned reflex vomiting is due to overdose of emetine. He has a powerful chemotherapeutic effect on the parasitic causative agent of amoebic dysentery and other protozoan microorganisms.

The use of ipecac

Special herbal medicines from medicinal roots of ipecac is indicated for the cough, and if necessary, the removal of sputum from the bronchi. As a rule, theyappointed in acute inflammatory diseases of the respiratory tract. Often recommended to use products based on plants with poor formation of mucous secretion, which causes difficulty expectoration of viscous mucus. As an emetic this plant is almost never used.

Due to the slow absorption of drugs from the characteristic ipecac prolonged the effect of the treatment, which is a significant advantage among similar funds. The extract from the roots of ipecac in a dry form to be dissolved in water. The maximum daily dose of powder for an adult should not exceed 0.4 grams. It is necessary to mention that one of the roots corresponds to one part of the plant extract.

Medicinal tincture of ipecac may be indicated when coughing adults: 1 tablespoon per 180 ml of water. Children's dose should not exceed 1 dessert spoon depending on the age of the child. As an emetic, it is sufficient a single dose of the tincture once. For an adult it should not exceed 0.5 grams per Cup of water.

A special tincture of ipecac prepared exclusive by percolation using 70% alcohol, 10 parts of alcohol to 1 part of crushed roots. To prepare the tincture of dry extract can the amount of alcohol to reduce the same part. Tincture of ipecac often assign into adults and 5 drops at a time. The maximum single dose is 20 drops.

The root of ipecac

The dense roots of ipecac contain a number of alkaloids. They include emetine, cephalin, psychotron, protomation and netamin. In the composition there are also saponins, and phytosterols glycosidically. The presence of choline, malic acid and citric acid significantly broaden the impact of this plant on the human body.

In good weather conditions, they prepare the roots, pulling them out of the ground partially, leaving a small piece of rhizomes for subsequent regrowth. After collecting the collared brown roots should be thoroughly dried in the sun. They should have a pungent smell. The moisture content should not be more than 5%. Raw materials should be stored in glass jars that are hermetically closed.

Syrup of ipecac

The unique syrup of ipecac consists of 1 part of plant tincture and 9 parts of sugar syrup. Typically, the tool is shown inside adults in different respiratory diseases of a chronic nature. The optimal dosage varies from 2 to 4 grams. When storing syrup of ipecac should be in the cold and in the dark, in a tightly sealed glass jar.

Contraindications of ipecac

In overdose possible nausea and vomiting. Maincontraindication is hypersensitivity to the drug ipecac is amazing.