Ipomoea purga vs Convolvulus scammonia

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Ipomoea purga

Digestive

Digestive

Ipomoea purga

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Convolvulus scammonia

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Mexican tuberous vine; resin used as powerful cathartic in traditional and colonial medicine.

Middle Eastern and Anatolian climbing plant; resin one of the most powerful purgatives known.

Active Compounds

jalapin, jalapinolic acid, convolvulin, resin, glycosides

scammonin, scammonic acid, resin glycosides

Traditional Uses

constipation, intestinal worms, dropsy

constipation, intestinal worms, edema, dropsy

Modern Uses

cathartic, purgative, anthelmintic

powerful cathartic (historical)

Adult Dosage

Resin 200-500mg as cathartic (historical)

Not recommended; dangerous purgative

Contraindications

pregnancy, IBD, intestinal obstruction

pregnancy, IBD, intestinal obstruction, cardiac conditions

Side Effects

severe purgation, GI cramping, dehydration

severe purgation, severe GI cramps, dehydration

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E