Scientific Names
- Ipomoea jalapa L.
- Convolvulaceae
- Morning-glory family
Morning Glory seeds
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Root
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Jalap is an annual, herbaceous vine; the tuberous root produces several brownish, twining stems which bear petioled, cordate leaves with a soft point. The purple flowers have a long, funnel-shaped corolla.
Other varieties: Wild jalap (I. pandurata) used as purgative like I. jalapa.
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Found in one area of Mexico near Xalapa.
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Cathartic, narcotic, emetic in large doses, vermifuge
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Pharbitin, rhamnose, angelic acid, pelargonic and cyanin
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Jalap is used as a purgative for constipation and for complete and rapid emptying of the bowels. It should not be used when intestinal irritation is present.
Also may be used for intestinal parasites.
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Decoction: use 1 tsp. root with 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time.
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An overdose can cause serious internal effects as well as purging and vomiting.
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The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants
, by Steven Foster and James A. Duke., Houghton Mifflin Company, 215 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10000
Planetary Herbology
, by Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D., O.M.D., Lotus Press, PO Box 325, Twin Lakes. WI 53181., Copyright 1988, published 1992
American Folk Medicine
, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973
Webster's New World Dictionary
, Third College Edition, Victoria Neufeldt, Editor in Chief, New World Dictionaries: A Division of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 15 Columbus Circle, New York, NY 10023, 1984
An Instant Guide to Medicinal Plants
, by Pamela Forey and Ruth Lindsay, Crescent Books (January 27, 1992).
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