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Ipecacuanha

(Science: medicine) The root of a Brazilian rubiaceous herb (Cephaelis ipecacuanha), largely employed as an emetic; also, the plant itself; also, a medicinal extract of the root. Many other plants are used as a substitutes; among them are the black or peruvian ipecac (Psychotria emetica), the white ipecac (Ionidium ipecacuanha), the bastard or wild ipecac (asclepias Curassavica), and the undulated ipecac (Richardsonia scabra).

Origin: pg. Ipecacuanha (cf. Sp. Ipecacuana); fr. Braz. Ipe-kaa-guena, prop, a creeping plant that causes vomiting.