The ipecac root is a small tropical plant which is
used for the production of syrup, that in most cases used for the treatment of vomiting.
Syrup made from ipecac is an evergreen herbaceous plant and is derived from “Ipecaeauha” plant.1
However, Ipecac is also found in many cough syrups as an
expectorant. When ipecac syrup is ingested, it begins to stimulate the central
nervous system and stomach. Meanwhile, the scientific name of ipecac is “Cephaelelis ipecacuanha, and C,
Acuminate. The general names of ipecac are ipecacuanha,
golden root, Rio ipecac, Brazilian. Ipecac, matto grosso Ipecac, and Costa Rice
Ipecac.2
The species name ipecacuanha has been placed in several ways.
However, the genus name cephaelelis has been conserved as correct according to
the international code of botanical Nomenclature.3
Cephaelelis
Ipecacuanha is of the family of
Rubiaceae, one of the largest families of plants. The family consists of about
450 general and 5,500 species mostly tropical but with a few temperature
general.4
BOTANICAL
PROFILE (TAXONOMY) OF IPECAC ROOT.10
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Psychotria
Class: Bothriospora
Order: Rachordonia
Family: Rubiaceae
Subfamily: Capirona
Tribe: Brazilian
Genus: Cephaelelis
Species: Ipecacuanha
Geographical
background of fresh Ipecac root
GEOGRAPHICAL
SOURCE AND DISTRIBUTION
Emetine is one of several alkaloids
found in Ipecac. The following are general name of the family Rubiaceae which
also contain emetine, Borreria, Bothoriospora, Capirona, Ferdinanduse, Itillia,
manellia (two species) sychotria (three species), Remigia, Rochardonia, Richardial,
Spermacoce and Tocogena. 2
IPECAC ROOT PRODUCTION
Ipecac is also known as psychotria ipecacuanha, it is permanently situated in tropical forest of
Bolisa and Brazil, where huge cultivated areas have been recognized. It is also
situated in other places such as South America and India which stand out to be
major producer of Ipecac roots. When the Ipecac root had fully grown, it will
have dark; brown and red covering known as the layers and have a bitter taste. 4