Properties of Ipecacuanha – Your Health

​Ipeca is a small shrub just 30 cm tall, which can be used as a medicinal plant to induce vomiting, stop diarrhea and loosen secretions from the respiratory system. It is also known as Ipecacuanha, true ipecac, poaia and gray poia, widely used to induce vomiting.

Its scientific name is Psychotria ipecacuanha and can be purchased in syrup form in health food stores and some compounding pharmacies. The parts of this plant used for phytotherapeutic purposes are its roots and this plant has large oval leaves in a bright and opposite shade of dark green, with white flowers that, after fertilization, transform into small clusters of red fruits.

Indications for Ipeca

Ipecacuanha is used to induce vomiting and to help treat bronchitis, pneumonia and amoeba infestation. In the past, Ipeca was used in cases of poisoning, but this indication is no longer accepted by the FDA, the agency that regulates the sale of medicines in the United States.

How to use Ipeca

Ipecacuanha is a toxic plant and should only be used in industrialized form. An overdose of just 2g of its roots can cause serious health problems. Its compounds can reach the Central Nervous System and cause hallucinations, and can be used in religious rituals.

Properties of Ipeca

Ipecacuanha contains emetine and cephalin, and can be used to treat diarrhea caused by amoebas, as an expectorant it can be useful in cases of flu, bronchitis and asthma, and also acts as an astringent and anti-inflammatory.

Ipecac side effects

After excessive or prolonged intake of this plant, gastritis, tachycardia, low blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmia, convulsions, shock and can even lead to coma can occur. These effects can be reversed when you stop taking it.

Ipeca contraindications

Ipecacuanha is contraindicated for children under 6 months of age, during pregnancy or when an individual has ingested kerosene, gasoline or acid or alkaline corrosive agents. As it is a toxic medicinal plant, it should only be used under medical advice.