ipecacuanha

ipecacuanha

Other Names:

Ringed Minor, Bejuquillo, Picahonda, Poaja, rootlets, root Brazilian.

It's called ipecac or IPEC to the roots of various plants of the family of Rubiaceae that have properties emética (causing vomiting) but which is used primarily as medicinal is the Uragoga Ipecacuanha. There are other ipecac, all natives of tropical America, as the largest ring (Colombia) the largest corrugated (in Colombia) or higher striate (Peru and Colombia) They were natives of Mato Grosso who came forward to the Portuguese the virtues of ipecac.

The ipecac, this medicinal plant native to tropical America, introduced a tortuous root, formed by a series of rings, which contains seven alkaloids, which include the emetine and cefelina.

The emetine, as its name suggests, it causes vomiting. For its toxicity, Ipecac should only be consumed by prescription drugs.

FEATURES: It is a small herb, perennial, stems tortuous. The root is branched, cylindrical, consisting of rings, side by side along its entire length. The leaves, elliptical, finished at peak, are two to two and along the stem. The flowers are white, small, with five petals, forming bouquets at the ends of the stems. The fruit is a small berry in the form of a rugby ball.

LOCATION: Lives alone in the temperate zones of South America. There has been adapted to other geographical or climatic conditions for much that has been attempted, since neither in Europe nor in North America has managed to get crops with a minimum level of productivity.

Used Part.

Roots, rhizomes of the species: Cephaelis Ipecacuanha (Brot. Tussac, known as its provenance: Ipecac of Rio, of Matto Grosso, Brazil or Mine. Cephaelis acuminata Karsten: Ipecac Cartagena, Nicaragua, in Panama or Costa Rica.

ACTIVE: In the wake of ipecac there are substances that are also found in other plants such as sugar, fat, glycosides, saponins and tannins, but the real value and exclusive drug is due to the presence of seven alkaloids that are found in the bark of the root, from which deserves to highlight the emetine and cefelina.

Medicinal properties: The bark of the root irritates the skin and mucous membranes, and it is very irritating contact with the eye as it can pierce the cornea. The inhale dust cause sneezing and coughing strengths access. Its ingestion is also dangerous for gastric and intestinal mucous membranes. Its main therapeutic application is emética (induce vomiting) and expectorant (for fluidized bronchial secretions) A is effective against dysentery amibiana it destroys the amoeba which is found in the intestinal mucosa.

COLLECTING: It takes place throughout the year, while weather conditions permit was done with a few sticks finished tip (poayas) with those who pulled the secondary roots, leaving the main buried for a return to regenerate new plant was dried in the sun and preparing to be commercialized. The trade show as the dust of ipecac, which is the root bark of crushed and rnolida.

APPLICATIONS AND USES: Use with caution, for toxicity, which may cause the mucous membranes (eyes, mouth, stomach intestines) dose, for which preparations should be used for commercial or follow to the letter indications and dosage of specialists. For information, it is interesting to know that, as vomiting, the powder is used directly or diluted in water, and as antidisentérico or expectorant is the preferred form of infusion. You can also use horn wine, syrup or eat as tincture.

Drug Action.

Bronchitis, emphysema, asthma, amoebic dysentery (see precautions)

At very low doses, an expectorante occurs, with great action secretolítica (emetine, cefelina) and antidiarrheal. A higher dose has a emetizante (emetine) The emetine also features an anthelmintic action and amebicida.

R. F. E.

Ipecuana, dust standard: the drug must contain between 1, 9 - 2, 1% of total expressed as emetine.

Dried root of ipecac fragmented and must contain at least 2% of total expressed as emetine.

Contraindications.

Pregnancy, infancy, children, elderly, heart disease, low blood pressure.

Side Effects.

The dust Ipecac strongly irritates the skin, with a blistering effect. Also affects the respiratory and gastrointestinal mucous membranes. High doses cause vomiting and neumogástrico by stimulation of the nerve centers bulbares. The alkaloids are cardiotoxic (arrhythmias) antihypertensives, and cytotoxic capilarotóxicos.

Caution / Poisoning.

The content of alkaloids is variable depending on the species and location of collection.

Failure to pass the doses indicated. The poisoning is manifested by painful intestinal cramps, bloody diarrhea and can lead to coma and death from cardiorespiratory collapse.

We recommend prescribe mucolytics and expectorants with less toxicity. In any case, use prescipción and strictly under medical supervision.

As Antiprotozoals, it is more advisable to use standardized specialties based clohidrato of emetine.

Bibliography.

Benigni, R; Capra, C; Cattorini, P. Piante Medicinali. Chimica, Pharmacology and Therapy. Milano: Inverni & Della Beffa, 1962, pp. 739 - 54.

Bézanger - Beauquesne, L; Pinkas, M; Torck, M. Dans la Plantes Les Thérapeutiques Moderne. 2. Paris: Maloine, 1986, pp. 126 - 8.

British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Vol. I. Bournemouth, Dorset: British Herbal Medical Association, 1990, p. 60.

Bruneton, J. Elements of Phytochemistry and Pharmacognosy. Zaragoza: Acribia, 1991, p. 459.

Peris, JB; Stübing, G; Vanaclocha, B. Applied Fitoterapia. Valencia: M. I. Official College of Pharmacists, 1995, pp. 328 - 9.

Real Spanish Pharmacopoeia. Madrid: Ministry of Health and Consumption, 1997, pp. 1177 - 8.

Samuelsson, G. Drugs of Natural Origin. A Textbook of Pharmacognosy. Stockholm: Swedish Pharmaceutical Press, 1992, pp. 267.

Simon, R. Guide for Pharmaceutical and Medical Pharmacology. Madrid: A Madrid Vicente, 1993, pp. 135; 138; 171.

Trease, GE, Evans, WCh. Pharmacognosy. Mexico City: Inter - MacGraw - Hill, 1991, pp. 646 - 50.

WICHTL, M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceutical. A Handbook for Practice on a scientific basis. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1994, pp. 276 - 7.

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