Jalapa is a climbing plant that can be easily found in Northeastern Brazil. With a preference for hot and humid climates, the plant, also known as purge potato, bryony from America and milk yellow purge, belongs to the Convolvulaceae family , and its scientific name is Ipomoea purga .
The plant, originally from Mexico, has a climbing stem and alternate leaves measuring 9 cm long and 5 cm wide that are heart-shaped and smooth, with a dark green color on the upper part and whitish tones on the lower part. Its leaves, yellow in color and fused petals, are solitary, and its fruit is an ovoid capsule and has 4 seeds.
With tuberous roots, the plant is widely used in folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases. For these purposes, the dry tuber should be used for decoction. In addition, the plant, being very beautiful, is used as an ornamental plant, mainly in China.
Index
The benefits and properties
The plant has medicinal properties and can be used to treat congestion, cerebral and pulmonary hemorrhages, dropsy, constipation, edema, headaches, inflammation and fever. In addition, its use also helps to prevent and improve illnesses that usually affect the skin and eliminate toxins from the body, thus helping with weight loss.
Its active ingredients are caffeic acid, convolvulin, jalapinha, jalapinolic acid, resin, scopoletin, starch and valeric acid, and it has analgesic, anti-inflammatory, depurative, diuretic, energetic, febrifuge, laxative and purgative medicinal properties.
How to prepare tea?
In a pot, place a liter of water and two tablespoons of jalapa. Wait until it comes to a boil, then time the period for approximately ten minutes. After this period, turn off the heat and cover, leaving it to stand for about ten minutes. After resting, the drink can be strained and consumed in a dose between two and three cups a day, consumed spaced apart. If necessary, sweeten with brown sugar or honey, but never refined sugar or sweetener.
Contraindications and side effects
The plant has very common side effects such as nausea, spasmodic pain and gastroenteritis. When ingested in large quantities, the procedure of gastric emptying by means of siphoning nasogastric soda, in addition to symptomatic treatment, should be performed. It is contraindicated for children, pregnant or lactating women.
Observations: Attention, the plant should only be used in cases that justify the high toxicological index of the plant.
