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Ipomoea purga
Species of morning glory From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Ipomoea purga is a species of flowering plant in the genus Ipomoea. It is commonly referred to as jalap[1] and is probably also the source of the John the Conqueror amulet legend.
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Description
Ipomoea purga is described as a vine that can reach heights of 12 feet (3.7 m). When fresh, the root is black externally, white and milky within, and varies in size according to its age.[2] It has heart shaped leaves and purple trumpet like flowers. Ipomoea purga is rather difficult to break down, but if triturated with cream of tartar, sugar of milk, or other hard salts, the process of pulverization is much easier, and the powder rendered much finer.[2] When in powder form in order to ingest, the color is a pale grayish brown.[2] Ipomoea purga is native to Mexico and it is naturalized in other parts of the neotropics.[1]
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Discovery
Ipomoea purga was encountered by Spanish conquistadores during the conquest of Mexico.[3] It was introduced to Europe in 1565 as a medical herb[3] used to treat an array of illnesses up until the 19th century when modern medical practices became the norm.[3]
Medical uses
Called "mechoacán" and "mechoacan potato" by English explorers, the root contains a resin known as jalap, which is a powerful cathartic that causes intense vomiting and diarrhea that in rare cases proves fatal.[2][4] When applied to a wound, it is said to induce purgation.[2]
Ipomoea purga resin can be dissolved in either ethanol as a tincture or diethyl ether. The resin that is insoluble in ether is odorless while the resin soluble in alcohol does have an odor and is typically a brownish color. A substance with the chemical formula C28H52O14 that is produced in Ipomoea purga roots can be broken apart into a sugar molecule (C6H12O6) and convolvulinolic acid (C16H30O3).[2]
Synonyms
- Convolvulus purga[5]
Bibliography
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