Steinmetz:Cephaelis

Cephaelis ipecacuanha (and other species)

Also known as (or relevant to) Cephaelis ipecacuanha (and other species) Psychotria ipecacuanha Uragoga ipecacuanha Family Rubiaceae English Names Ipecacuanha Natural Habitat the damp woods of Brazil Nicaragua Venezuela Columbia; cultivated in Bengal and in the Federated Malay States Part(s) Used Radix Ipecacuanhae

Constituent(s) emetine cephaeline psychotrine (alkaloids) by-alkaloids ipecacuanhin starch acid saponins calcium oxalate Action emetic expectorant sudorific antispasmodic cholagogue haemostatic sternutatory toxic; used against amebic dysentery. - The root of Cephaelis acuminata (Carthagena or New Granada Ipecacuanha) is used as a substitute and is a little less rich in emetine than the root of Brazil; it contains however a higher percentage of cephaeline