WILD IPECACUANHA CAN BE A PURGATIVE AND REMEDY FOR PILES

ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA LINN

Indian ipecacuanha or curassavica swallow-wort is an erect, perennial herb, which is also considered as an undershrub. The plant grows to a height of about 1.5 metres and puts forth a milky latex when any part of the plant is damaged. The leaves are placed opposite to each other and are lanceolate in shape with both the ends being narrow. The flowers are scarlet or orange and yellow in colour. The fruits stand upright, tapering at both ends and the seeds inside are attached to a fine floss which makes it very easy for wind dispersal.

Medical use:

• As a purgative and a remedy for piles.
• To bring about vomiting.
• As an anthelmintic i.e. for killing or expelling worms from the body. It is also use for arresting haemorrhages, or the escape of blood from the blood vessels, as an antidysenteric, for the treatment of gonorrhea, and for checking cancer.
• For eradicating warts, corns and for the treatment of sores and wounds.

How to use:

• The decoction of the root is used as a purgative and for the treatment of piles.
• The juice of the root is used to promote vomiting in cases of food poisoning.
• The juice of the leaves is strongly recommended for all of the disorders given in point 3 of Medicinal use. 
• The milky latex of the plant is applied externally for curing warts and corns.
• The powdered leaves and flowers are used for treating sores and wounds.

Parts used:
The root, leaves, flowers and the milky latex.

Dose:
As indicated above.