IPECACUANA ORDINARY (Cephaelis ipecacuanha Willd.) Evergreen shrub of the madder family. It grows in Brazil, India, Indonesia. Medicinal raw materials are well-shaped roots of a gray-brown color with a peculiar smell. They contain a large number of alkaloids

A small plant from the madder family, known as the "vomit root", ipecac has found wide application in homeopathy. The well-studied emetic effect of the tincture of this plant is one of the main symptoms that leads to the prescription of Ipecacuanha by a homeopathic doctor.

For any disease associated with constant nausea, an experienced homeopath can prescribe this remedy. Hahnemann introduced the medicine into homeopathic practice, describing its effect on the patient's body in his work "Pure Pharmacy".

Constitutional type of ipecac

A strictly defined constitutional type of ipecac has not been established.

It is indicated that ipecac in homeopathy is prescribed to patients who complain of debilitating nausea, suffering from convulsive cough, often accompanied by spasms and even bleeding.

If menstruation in women occurs before the due date, accompanied by heavy bleeding and constant feeling nausea, noted the beneficial effects of taking Ipecacuanha in such disorders.

When does a homeopath prescribe ipecac?

Used in homeopathy, Ipecacuanha is prescribed by a doctor for:

• diseases of the respiratory organs, aggravated by accumulations of abundant mucus, manifested by spasms;
• with bronchitis with an asthmatic component;
• at total loss voice and even catarrh of the bronchi, accompanied by damage to the medium and large bronchi;
• whooping cough, asthma with vomiting.

In ipecac in homeopathy, indications for use are not limited to the above list of diseases, since the emetic root:

• excellent treatment for early stages catarrh of the stomach;
• relieves children of inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract, dysentery, diarrhea;
• it also helps with vomiting in pregnant women - it is prescribed together with nux vomica.

For some diseases of the nervous system, frequent headaches, migraines, Ipecacuanha is prescribed. The drug copes well with fever, many inflammatory processes in pediatric practice, even hemorrhages various etiologies, helps with eye ailments (inflammation of the vascular, cornea).

Applied in the form:

• granules, diluted D3, C3, C6 and above;
• drops, dilution D3, C3, C6 and above.

For the manufacture of drops (tinctures), the powder prepared from the emetic root is insisted on 70 degrees alcohol. In the manufacture of granules, the powder is combined with milk sugar.

People get sick so often and so much that pharmaceutical companies will always flourish. But we must give them their due: they supply the market with a huge range of all kinds of medicines, so there is always plenty to choose from. In a series of conventional medicines, homeopathic remedies stand apart. And among them there is one called "Ipecacuana". We will talk more about homeopathy and Ipecacuan later.

What is homeopathy

It must be said right away that homeopathy is the subject of the most severe disputes of the scientific community, and many luminaries of medicine do not consider it a science at all, calling it deceit and quackery. But first things first.

The word "homeopathy" comes from Greek and literally means " similar disease". Such a translation corresponds to the essence of homeopathy - more or less briefly and in simple words, then this is a type of alternative, otherwise - complementary (translated from English - additional), medicine. Methods of such medicine are non-drug and non-surgical methods of treatment. These are all kinds of massages, extrasensory perception, aromatherapy and so on. Homeopathy is also one of them.

This type of alternative treatment involves people taking minimal doses of a substance that healthy person, if you take a large (easier to say, normal) dosage, it will cause the symptoms of the disease that he suffers from. Thanks to this, the patient recovers. In other words, this treatment is based on the principle of knocking out, "like is cured by like." It is widely known, for example, the practice when sore throat treated with ice cream - the same story here.

According to some reports, the clinical trials did not confirm the effectiveness of homeopathic remedies; many believe that in this case there is simply a placebo effect (a sincere and strong belief of a person that after taking this remedy he will get better). That is why the controversy has not subsided around homeopathy and its preparations for many years, decades.

The difference between homeopathic remedies and conventional remedies

What is the essence of homeopathy, figured out. The difference between homeopathic medicines and "real" medicines is that in the manufacture of the first they use a variety of substances, both animal or vegetable, and mineral origin. They are bred in a special solvent - and not once, but dozens, or even hundreds. Sometimes it also happens that in the resulting homeopathic remedy there may not be a drop or a crumb active ingredient. The solvent is usually either water or a sugar solution. Before diluting the substance, the container with the solvent is shaken, and so every time, no matter how many times it is diluted. By the way, to understand how many times this substance was diluted, a special marking helps: Latin letter D (sometimes it is replaced by X) denotes a decimal dilution, and the letter C denotes a hundredth. After the letter is a number (sometimes before). For example, D5 will mean ten to the fifth power - that's how many times they divorced this drug(i.e. a hundred thousand times). And if the tool is marked, for example, C30, this means one hundred to the thirtieth degree, and so on.

When are homeopathic remedies prescribed?

First of all, you need to remember that in our country it is forbidden for everyone to prescribe homeopathic remedies. This can only be done by a qualified doctor who has completed a course in homeopathy and has the appropriate certificate as confirmation. He can prescribe such a remedy to the patient in the following cases:

1. If the illness is acute form, that is, it began suddenly, and it is required emergency treatment- then homeopathic remedy take a few hours or a couple of days.
2. If the disease is seasonal and has a relapse - this is, for example, as in the case of allergies.
3. For skin diseases.

Homeopathic preparations: "Ipecacuana"

So we got close to the drug with such an interesting name. It is named after the plant from which, in fact, it is produced. Ipecac is a small herbaceous subshrub, the second name of which is not so poetic - emetic root. As an emetic, ipecac also works - but in large quantities; in small doses, this plant has medicinal effect when coughing - it is used as an expectorant in the form of a decoction, infusion or powder.

The drug "Ipecacuana" is used in the latter case. Do not forget that this is a homeopathic remedy, that is, diluted, which means that you should definitely not be afraid of an emetic effect.

Types of homeopathic remedy

Ipecac has many forms: syrup, granules, decoction, tincture or powder. The latter, in combination with milk sugar, is used for rubbing the body, or rather, the affected part. The broth is prepared, of course, on water - or rather, on boiling water; it should be infused for ten to fifteen minutes. They make the tincture in the following way: the root is powdered and soaked in a seventy-degree alcohol solution.

What a decoction, what an infusion, what a powder - these forms of "Ipecac" rather refer to home use. On the shelves of pharmacies, you can often find only syrup and a granular variety of the drug.

Pharmacological action of the drug

In whatever form the above preparation is, it is made in any case from the root of ipecac. The roots of the plant contain malic and citric acid, alkaloids, phytosterol, and so on, due to which the properties of the plant include the ability to thin sputum - and therefore it is no wonder that the homeopathic remedy produced on their basis has an excellent expectorant effect.

Ipecac in homeopathy: indications for use

So, the two actions of ipecac, depending on the dosage: expectorant and emetic. When similar drug can be appointed by a specialist?

First, of course, in chronic and acute diseases respiratory system who are wearing inflammatory character and are accompanied by sputum discharge, not always easy. In addition to sputum, whooping cough, laryngitis are treated with ipecac. various shapes, shortness of breath. If the dilution of the drug is higher, then it is possible to use ipecac in homeopathy in order to eliminate hay fever, typhoid, bleeding and hemorrhage, including uterine, inflammation gastrointestinal tract etc. In some cases, ipecac can also be used to treat eye problems. And among the indications for ipecac in homeopathy are migraine and photophobia. That's how wide possible application this homeopathic remedy! It is only important to adhere to the prescribed dosage of "Ipecac" (usually prescribed by a doctor in each case and depending on the form in which the patient is going to take ipecac). And then the effect will not be long in coming.

Contraindications to the use of ipecac

With indications for ipecac in homeopathy, everything is clear. But after all, although this is not a traditional drug, Ipecac should also have contraindications. It really is. However, there are not so many cases when the aforementioned homeopathic remedy is not allowed to be taken.

Firstly, it should not be taken by those people who have an individual intolerance to the drug (or any of its components), and secondly, by pregnant women and nursing mothers, despite the fact that it is usually with homeopathic remedies that these categories of citizens are allowed to be treated. . Probably, the ban on the use of "Ipecac" for future and present young mothers is due to the possible emetic effect of the above remedy and the weakness of the body that occurs after that, as well as the severe nausea that accompanies the emetic effect. By the way, it is for the latter reason that "Ipecac" as an emetic is now practically not prescribed. In addition, the appointment of "Ipecac" is doubtful when coughing for babies before they reach one year of age.

Side effects and overdose

Like any other drug, albeit of homeopathic origin, Ipecac has its side effects. One of them has already been mentioned above, and more than once: even intended for the treatment of cough, in large doses Ipecac can cause vomiting and subsequent nausea, weakness, dizziness. Another side effect that can occur as a result of an overdose is muscle soreness. Among other things, problems with the activity of both the cardiovascular and nervous systems may begin. It is also important to know that if said powder comes into contact with the skin, it will cause irritation and a rash. If you accidentally inhale it, you can get a slight burn of the mucous membrane, and an uncontrollable cough that will be difficult to stop will be provided. Also among side effects drug - increased salivation, diarrhea, skin reactions, including those of an allergic nature.

Granules: briefly about the method of application

First, let's talk about ipecac granules - after all, they are the most common in pharmacies. The instructions for use of "Ipecac" granular say that you need to take a homeopathic remedy three to four times a day, eight pieces at a time at once. These manipulations should be taken each time before meals, approximately thirty minutes, or, if you forgot to do this before eating, then after it - but not less than an hour later. The course of treatment, according to the instructions of "Ipecac", should be at least three weeks, and preferably a month. Then you need to take a short break, after which any maintenance therapy will be good. The instruction also warns: if the symptoms of the disease worsen, it is necessary to interrupt the treatment for a week, and if the remedy does not have any desired effect, you should contact your doctor with this question.

A few words about syrup

Above, the effect that "Ipecac" has on the human body has been repeatedly emphasized: either expectorant or emetic. It is thanks to the latter effect that Ipecac syrup is very often used to eliminate poisoning and its symptoms. This, in general, is not surprising: not only homeopathic, but also traditional medications, which recommend drinking in case of poisoning, have a similar effect (for example, Enterosgel). He drank the drug, it caused vomiting, the stomach was freed, it became easier: something like this is the system. Since many conventional medicines are prohibited for use by children under a certain age (usually up to twelve or fourteen years), but no one, including children, is able to avoid poisoning all his life, Ipecac syrup is perfect for them to help cope with this problem.

However, this tool also has its opponents, pointing to the disadvantages of the drug. So, for example, the emetic effect does not always occur immediately, as it is necessary. In addition, he can be so uncontrollable that it becomes truly difficult to control himself (especially if the patient - Small child), and self-control in this situation is extremely important, if only because after emptying the stomach, you should take activated charcoal or a similar drug (Filtrum, for example). However, research confirms that given form"Ipecac" in homeopathy perfectly copes with its main task - removing various toxins from the body. However, this does not prevent specialists from prescribing the drug exclusively in special occasions. The independent use of ipecac syrup by patients at home, the so-called self-appointment and self-treatment, is not taken into account.

One more interesting information according to the results clinical research: the desired effect after taking the syrup occurs in about half an hour ( we are talking about children), can vomit from one to eight times, and the duration of the retching reaches sixty minutes. Until the age of twelve, fifteen milliliters of syrup are drunk, after twelve - twice the number of milliliters (30).

"Ipecac" as it has its own separate contraindications. The syrup should not be given to infants, people poisoned by alkalis or acids, with impaired consciousness or reflexes, with sharp deterioration condition, as well as when swallowing sharp objects.

Possible analogues of "Ipecac"

Like any drug on the pharmaceutical market, Ipecac has its competitors - its counterparts, both more expensive and cheaper. At the same time, you need to understand that Ipecacuana does not have absolutely identical one hundred percent preparations. There are only those who are similar in one way or another. Among the substitutes for the aforementioned remedy, Rhodiola rosea, evasive peony, esculus and others can be mentioned. Some of them will be discussed in more detail below.

Aesculus, or horse chestnut, is also homeopathic remedy. It is used to combat venous congestion and hemorrhoids. With "Ipecac" in homeopathy, they are united by the possibility of using it for uterine bleeding or inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Available in two forms: ointment for external use and rectal suppositories.

Peony evasive is used in the form alcohol tincture as a sedative for insomnia, vegetative problems, as an anesthetic for various problems of the gastrointestinal tract, such as gastritis, ulcers, and so on. The avoiding peony is also successfully used in gynecology.

Mesereum, or wolf's bast, is prescribed for neuralgia, conjunctivitis, severe headaches, migraines, bronchitis (the last two facts make it related to "Ipecac" in homeopathy), stomatitis, stomach ulcers, cystitis. It can also be used for lichen.

One of the most common in classical homeopathy drugs, is Ipecacuanha (Ipecacuanha). The drug is made on the basis of the emetic root - a herb from the Rubiaceae family.
Indications for the use of ipecac modern instruction on its use in classical homeopathy is the topic of this article.

Ipecac in homeopathy. Main indications for use or key symptoms of ipecac

Homeopathic Materia Medica has about two hundred key symptoms of ipecac.
Consider the main ones, those that make up the essence of the drug, essence (essence - the essence).

The main symptom of ipecac is nausea and vomiting.

This nausea is not accompanied by dizziness.
Ipecac rarely helps with vomiting infants after feeding.

Spasm of smooth muscles without inflammation.
Bleeding when the blood comes in bursts.
It could be cutting pain in the navel area in pregnant women during childbirth.
Habitual vomiting.
Often in such conditions, the patient's tongue is clean!

Nosologies in which ipecac is most often used

First of all, it is a cough: bronchial asthma whooping cough, bronchitis. The child may not cough much, but this is accompanied by vomiting.
Habitual vomiting.
Nausea and vomiting in radiation sickness.
Uncontrollable vomiting of pregnant women.
Bleeding. The blood rushes out like vomit.
Cutting spasmodic pains.

Ipecac can also be successfully used for other diseases. The main thing is the presence of at least a few key symptoms.

Ipecacuanha. Instructions for use

Ipecac can be used in different potencies, from C-3 to C-100,000. There are also LM potencies.
What potency to treat and how often to use the drug - the homeopath decides, depending on the initial state of the patient and his response to treatment.
As a general rule, low potencies can be used more frequently, up to several times a day.
High potencies - less often, up to once every few months.

The main task of the homeopath is to keep active defensive forces organism (homeopaths call it life force) at a level sufficient to successfully combat the disease. Therefore, the frequency of taking the drug and the potency in which it is used, the homeopath determines individually for each patient.

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Synonym: emetic root.

Ipecac is an evergreen shrub native to Brazil. Its dried roots are used as medicinal product and raw materials for manufacturing various drugs. They are expectorant and antiprotozoal agents. Previously, preparations of ipecac were used as a strong emetic.

Ask the experts

flower formula

In medicine

medicinal value have only ipecac roots. They have a peculiar, musty smell and a bitter, nauseating taste. From them prepare infusion and tincture, extract and syrup of ipecac. In small doses and low concentrations, ipecac preparations contribute to liquefaction of sputum, increased secretion of bronchial glands and excitation of the epithelium of the ciliated pathways. They are prescribed for cough, accompanied by viscous, difficult to separate sputum, in acute inflammatory diseases respiratory tract. As an emetic, ipecac is outdated, since its action is associated with a long, painful. Modern drugs are no less effective, but do not have such side effects. Emetine hydrochloride is an antiprotozoal agent. It is used in the form subcutaneous injection from amoebic dysentery.

Contraindications and side effects

Contraindications for taking ipecac are individual intolerance, pregnancy. Some drugs are not recommended for children under 6 months of age. Emetine hydrochloride is not prescribed to patients with metabolic diseases and of cardio-vascular system. Overdose leads to nausea, vomiting, muscle pain. In large doses, the drug inhibits the activity of the cardiovascular and nervous systems. If it comes into contact with the skin, the powder of ipecac causes a rash, but if it is inhaled, it will mild inflammation mucous membrane, accompanied by an uncontrollable cough.

Classification

Ipecacuanha (Carapichea ipecacuanha) was until recently classified as a genus of small trees in the Rubiaceae family, Psychotria. Now the plant belongs to the genus of tropical plants Carapichea. The genus, in addition to ipecac, has five more species, but the emetic root is the most famous of them.

Botanical description

The evergreen shrub ipecac, vomit, reaches a height of 40 centimeters. The aerial part consists of a thin stem. The leaves on it are entire, opposite, evergreen, elongated with stipules. At their top, a head of twisted, small, white flowers develops, at first erect, later drooping. Flowers with linear bracts, calyx short, five-toothed, erect, corolla white, funnel-shaped, up to 6 mm in length. Pestle - with a thin column, with two stigmas. Flower formula - * H (4-5) L (4-5) T4-5P (2). The fruit is ovoid, fleshy, black-violet, with two white-yellow seeds. The main medicinal part of the plant is hidden underground. This is a gray-brown, thin and long, smooth, horizontal rhizome. Long annular or beaded roots depart at the nodes. They are distinguished by a special structure: from above - a wide bark, from below - hard and thin wood.

Spreading

The homeland of the emetic root is the magnificent, humid and shady forests of Brazil. Ipecacuana grows in the Matto Grosso region, located on the tributaries of the Amazon River. Since natural reserves do not cover the demands of industry in raw materials, the emetic root is cultivated in Indonesia and India, in Tanganyika, Malacca, the islands of Java and Ceylon. The experience of cultivating ipecac in Russia and the Crimea was recognized as unsuccessful.

Procurement of raw materials

Ipecac roots are harvested all year round but choose to collect good weather. Pickers carefully pull out the plant, cut off thin roots, choosing only clear-cut ones. Then the rhizome is immediately buried in the ground, so that after 3-4 years the thicket is restored. The collected raw materials are cleaned from the earth and dried in the sun. It is a piece of roots no thicker than 5 mm, with a fragile bark, easily lagging behind the wood. Medicinal substances are found only in the bark of the emetic root.

Chemical composition

Ipecac roots contain 2.5-3.5% alkaloids, including emetine, cephaelin, psychotrin, amethamine, protoemetine, 2% triterpene saponins, and 0.4% ipecacunin glycoside. They contain saponins, phytosterol, malic and lemon acid, vitamin-like substance choline.

Pharmacological properties

Medicinal properties Ipecac are primarily due to the content of the alkaloid emetine. It causes vomiting reflexively, by irritating the gastric mucosa, has a chemotherapeutic effect on the causative agent of amoebic dysentery Entamoeba histolytica and other protozoa.

As an emetic, ipecac is inferior to apomorphine hydrochloride, but as an expectorant it has an advantage over it, since it is absorbed more slowly and therefore its action is more prolonged. Ipecac for coughing is used when it is necessary to cope with viscous, difficult to separate sputum, to increase the amount of mucous secretion secreted in the bronchi, trachea and larynx. The drugs are prescribed for inflammatory bronchopulmonary diseases and diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

When using ipecac, it is very important to follow the correct dosage. The tincture is prepared by adding 0.5 g of the extract to 180 g of water. It can be used, stored in a cool place for no more than 2 days. Maximum dose alcohol tincture for an adult - 15 drops per dose, but not more than 30 drops per day. Ipecac syrup is prescribed for adults, 2-4 g per dose.

Application in traditional medicine

IN traditional medicine Ipecac is also used as an emetic and expectorant. Wide application found ipecac in homeopathy. In low dilutions, the plants dilute sputum, treat whooping cough, bronchial catarrh, laryngitis and laryngospasm, shortness of breath, in higher dilutions, the emetic root is prescribed for typhoid and paratyphoid, hay fever, gastrointestinal inflammation, uterine bleeding and hemorrhages of various origins, diarrhea, dyspepsia, as well as migraine, photophobia and various eye diseases.

History reference

The vomit root has been known in Europe since the middle of the 17th century. It was brought from Brazil by Portuguese monks, to whom the Indians discovered the secret of a miraculous remedy for bloody diarrhea. Ipecac was introduced into Western medicine by the court physician of the Prince of Orange, Helvetius, an ancestor of the famous encyclopedic philosopher. He, with the help of a mysterious powder, saved the Dauphin from severe dysentery. Some time later, Louis XIV paid the doctor an impressive sum for the secret of the medicine that healed his son. I must say that the Helvetia remedy contained many different powders, but the active ingredient was only one - ipecac.

Subsequently, the plant was often used to induce vomiting in case of poisoning, but nowadays ipecac has been replaced by a more modern drugs, which do not cause preliminary prolonged and painful nausea.

Literature

1. "Atlas of Medicinal Plants of the USSR", edited by Tsitsin N.V., Moscow, State Publishing House of Medical Literature, 1962-204 p.

2. Muravyova D.A., Hammerman A.F. "Tropical and subtropical medicinal plants", "Medicine", Moscow, 1974 - 134 p.

3. " encyclopedic Dictionary medicinal, essential oil and poisonous plants ", edited by Ogolovets G.S., Moscow, State Publishing House of Agricultural Literature, 1951 - 139-140 p.

4. Turova A. D., Sapozhnikova E. N., " medicinal plants SSR and their application", fourth edition, Moscow, Medicine, 1984 - 129-130 p.