Acalypha, I.C.A. Acalypha.
Related entries: Ipecacuanha
- Tylophora
Acalypha consists of the entire plant, Acalypha indica, Linn. (N.O. Euphorbiaceae), which is indigenous to India. The herb is collected when in flower and dried, unless required for the preparation of the juice. Other species of Acalypha are also used medicinally, but A. indica alone is official.
Constituents.—The chief constituents of acalypha are resin, tannin, volatile oil, and the alkaloid acalyphine.
Action and Uses.—Acalypha is an irritant to the gastro-intestinal mucous membrane. It is used as a substitute for ipecacuanha. The drug acts reflexly through the stomach in small doses; it also acts as an expectorant arid, in larger doses, as an emetic. This drug has also been used as a laxative and anthelmintic.
PREPARATIONS.
- Decoctum Acalyphae, B.P.C.—DECOCTION OF ACALYPHA. 1 in 20.
- Dose.—15 to 60 mils (½ to 2 fluid ounces).
- Extractum Acalyphae Liquidum, I.C.A.—LIQUID EXTRACT OF ACALYPHA.
- Acalypha, in No. 40 powder, 100; alcohol, sufficient to produce :too. Exhaust by percolation, reserve the first 75 of percolate, recover the alcohol from the subsequent percolate by distillation, dissolve the residue in the reserved percolate, and make up the required volume with alcohol. Dose.—¼ to 2 mils (5 to 30 Minims).
- Infusum Acalyphae, B.P.C.—INFUSION OF ACALYPHA. 1 to 10.
- Dose.—8 to 30 mils (2 to 8 fluid drachms).
- Succus Acalyphae, I.C.A.—ACALYPHA JUICE.
- Acalypha juice, freshly expressed from the herb, is mixed with one-third its volume of alcohol, and the mixture filtered after standing for seven days. Dose.—4 to 15 mils (1 to 4 fluid drachms).
- Tinctura Acalyphae, B.P.C.—TINCTURE OF ACALYPHA. 1 in 8.
- Dose.—2 to 8 mils (½ to 2 fluid drachms).
