Jalap. Ipomea jalapa.

Part Employed—The tuberous root.

CONSTITUENTS—

Convolvulin, jalapin, gum, albumen, salts.

PREPARATIONS—

Extractum Jalapae, Extract of Jalap. Dose, from five to fifteen grains.

Pulvis Jalapae Compositus, U. S. P. Dose, from ten to thirty grains.

Pulvis Jalapae Compositus, A. D., Compound Powder of Jalap, Beach's Antibilious Physic. Dose, one dram.

Therapy—Jalap is an active cathartic. With the older physicians it was commonly used, but the modern school apparently does not often find a need for it. It produces large alvine or watery evacuations with griping, and extreme nausea in some cases. Hypercatharsis and continued colic are induced by it. It influences the small intestines most directly. In cases of chronic inactivity of the intestinal tract, with persistent constipation and inactivity of the glandular organs, it will increase their action; will cleanse the entire tract and stimulate normal action. It is an old remedy for dropsy. It is superseded by other and more satisfactory agents.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.