Jalap facts for kids
Jalap is a type of medicine that comes from the roots of a plant called Ipomoea purga. This plant is a kind of morning glory and grows in the mountains of Mexico. It was once used to help people with constipation, but it is not commonly used in Western medicine anymore.
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What is Jalap?
Jalap comes from the large, tuber-like roots of the Ipomoea purga plant. This plant is part of the Convolvulaceae family, which includes many types of morning glories. It grows in the eastern Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in Mexico, especially near Chiconquiaco in the state of Veracruz. These plants are found at high elevations, usually between 5,000 and 8,000 feet (about 1,500 to 2,400 meters) above sea level.
History of Jalap
People in Europe first learned about jalap in the early 1600s. The name "jalap" comes from the city of Xalapa in Mexico, which is close to where the plant grows. For a long time, people knew about the medicine, but they weren't sure exactly which plant it came from. In 1829, a doctor named J. R. Coxe from Philadelphia finally described the correct plant.
Types of Jalap
The most common type of jalap sold is called Vera Cruz jalap. This name comes from the port city of Veracruz, where it was shipped from.
Other Places Where Jalap Grows
Jalap has also been grown in other parts of the world, like India and Jamaica. In India, especially in Ootacamund, the plant grows very well, producing large roots that can weigh over 9 pounds (about 4 kilograms). These roots are rich in a special substance called resin, which is the active part of the medicine.
Tampico Jalap
Another type of jalap, called Tampico jalap, has also been imported. It looks different from Vera Cruz jalap, being more shriveled and lighter in color. It also doesn't have the small marks that true jalap has. This type of jalap comes from a different plant called Ipomoea simulans.
Ipomoea jalapa
There is another morning glory plant, Ipomoea jalapa, that can also be a source of jalap. This plant was first described by the famous scientist Carl Linnaeus. However, it is not as important for commercial use. For many years, people often confused I. jalapa with I. purga because both grow in Veracruz. Scientists finally sorted out this confusion in 1989.
See also
In Spanish: Jalapa (planta) para niños
