German Ipecac

Reviewed on 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Asclépiade Blanche, Asclepias vincetoxicum, Cynanchum vincetoxicum, Dompte-Venin, Dompte-Venin Officinal, Swallow Wort, Vencetósigo, Vincetoxicum hirundinaria, Vincetoxicum officinale.

Overview

German ipecac is a plant. The leaf, root, and underground stem (rhizome) are used to make medicine.

Despite safety concerns, people take German ipecac for digestion problems, kidney disorders, fluid retention, and snakebite. They also take it to cause vomiting and sweating.

Women take German ipecac to treat painful menstrual periods.

Some people apply German ipecac directly to the skin in a warm compress (poultice) for healing swelling and bruising.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information to know how German ipecac might work.

SLIDESHOW

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Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Digestive problems.
  • Kidney problems.
  • Painful menstrual periods.
  • Snakebite.
  • Fluid retention.
  • Swelling and bruising, when applied to the skin.
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of German ipecac for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

German ipecac might be UNSAFE to take by mouth. It can cause vomiting, breathing problems, paralysis, heart stoppage, and other problems.

There isn’t enough information to know whether it is safe to apply German ipecac directly to the skin.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: German ipecac might be UNSAFE for anyone to take. If you are pregnant or breast-feeding, concern for you baby’s health gives you extra reasons not to use it.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of German ipecac depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for German ipecac. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

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References

Gruenwald J, Brendler T, Jaenicke C. PDR for Herbal Medicines. 1st ed. Montvale, NJ: Medical Economics Company, Inc., 1998.

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