DEFINITION

Ipecac consists of the dried rhizome and roots of Cephaëlis acuminata Karsten, or of Cephaëlis ipecacuanha (Brotero) A.Richard (Fam. Rubiaceae). Ipecac yields NLT 2.0% of the total ether-soluble alkaloids of ipecac. Its content of emetine (C₂₉H₄₀N₂O₄) and cephaeline (C₂₈H₃₈N₂O₄) together is NLT 90.0% of the amount of the total ether-soluble alkaloids. The content of cephaeline varies from an amount equal to, to an amount NMT 2.5 times, the content of emetine.