IPECAC Cephaelis ipecacuanha
Rubiaceae
Importance
Ipecac is a small evergreen herb with much branched beaded roots. It is used in
powdered form or as liquid total extract, syrup and tincture. Ipecac syrup in small doses is
used as an expectorant, as it is well tolerated by children. It is used in treatment of whooping
cough. Ipecac with opium as in Dover’s powder is used as a diaphoretic, tincture and syrup.
Emetine hydrochloride in the form of injection is used for treatment of amoebic dysentery.
Emetine bismuth iodide is also given orally for amoebic dysentery. Ipecac is also used as
gastric stimulant and as an anti-inflammatory agent in rheumatism.
Distribution
The plant is a native of Bolivia and Brazil. It is cultivated in Mungpoo, near
Darjeeling and on the Nilgiris, especially New Kallar, and at the Rungbee Cinchona
plantation in Sikkim.
Botany
Cephaelis ipecacuanha (Brot.) A. Rich. syn. Psychotria ipecacuanha Stokes.
belongs to the family Rubiaceae. The plant grows upto 0.7m high, with slender cylindrical
stem. When mature the roots are dark brown and have transverse furrows giving it a beaded
appearance. Above ground stem is quadrangular and trailing with few or new branches.
Leaves are opposite near the top of the plant and alternate below, 5-10x3-6cm area, dark
green above and pale green underneath. Flowers are white, sessile, funnel-like, less than
1cm wide and are borne in dense clusters. Fruit is purple with two stones containing single
seed (Husain, 1993).
Agrotechnology
Ipecac prefers an average rainfall ranging between 2000-3000mm and evenly
distributed. Maximum temperature should not exceed 38°C and the minimum not below
10 °C. It thrives well in tropical mild humid climates similar to Malaysian rain forests.
Virgin forest soils rich in humus are ideal for Ipecac. It prefers deep medium fertile soils
which are acidic and rich in humus, potash and magnesium. Soil should be well drained and
protected from wind and storm. As Ipecac grows only in shade, it can be cultivated as an
intercrop, or planted in artificially shaded beds. The plant is propagated both by seeds and
vegetatively by root, stem and leaf cuttings. Vegetative propagation is preferred to maintain
genetic uniformity of the plant. Most of the commercial plantations are raised by seeds.
Raised seed beds of 2x6m size are made and are mixed with well rotten leaf compost and
sand. These are provided with shade on the top as well as on the sides. Seeds are drilled or
broadcasted in the beds and watered regularly. Seeds take 3-5 months to germinate. Seed
treatment with limewater for 48 hours or H 2 O 2 improves germination. It has been observed
that providing mulch or black polythene in nursery beds improves germination as well as
results in control of weeds. The suitable season of planting is January-March in West
Bengal. Seedlings are planted in production beds at a spacing of 10x10cm after they are 8- 12
weeks old. In West Bengal, it is a practice to transfer seedlings to other nursery beds before
being transferred to final production seedbeds. FYM and leaf compost application is
required during second and third year. Super phosphate applications is found to improve root
growth. Frequent irrigation is required. Waterlogging should be avoided. Both the seedbeds