ipecacuanha
A pharmacist carefully measures dried ipecacuanha root for a traditional remedy.
Definition
- Noun:
- A medicinal plant: "ipecacuanha" refers to a tropical South American shrub (Carapichea ipecacuanha) whose dried root is used as an emetic and expectorant.
- A drug derived from the root: "ipecacuanha" also denotes the substance obtained from the root, historically used to induce vomiting in cases of poisoning.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The pharmacist prepared a syrup containing ipecacuanha to treat the patient's cough. (A medicinal substance from the plant.)
- Ipecacuanha was once a common household remedy for accidental poisoning. (The drug derived from the root.)
- The botanist identified the dried root as ipecacuanha due to its characteristic annulations. (The plant material.)
Advanced Usage
"ipecacuanha root": the specific part of the plant used medicinally.
- The ipecacuanha root must be dried carefully to preserve its active alkaloids. (The root of the shrub.)
"syrup of ipecacuanha": a liquid preparation containing the drug.
- The doctor prescribed syrup of ipecacuanha to help clear the patient's airways. (A medicinal syrup.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ipecac (n): a shortened form of "ipecacuanha", commonly used in medical contexts.
- The paramedic administered ipecac to induce vomiting. (A common abbreviation of the drug.)
- Ipecacuanhic (adj): relating to ipecacuanha.
- The ipecacuanhic properties of the root were well-known to indigenous healers. (Pertaining to the plant or its effects.)
Synonyms
- Emetic: a substance that causes vomiting.
- Expectorant: a substance that helps clear mucus from the respiratory tract.
Phrasal Verbs
- (No common phrasal verbs are associated with "ipecacuanha" as it is a specific noun.)
Related Idioms
- (No common idioms are associated with "ipecacuanha" as it is a technical term.)