jalap
/ˈdʒæləp/
noun
- A plant (Ipomoea purga) whose dried root is used as a strong laxative.
- In the 18th century, jalap was a common ingredient in purgative medicines.
- Farmers in Mexico have cultivated jalap for its medicinal root for centuries.
- The herbalist prepared a remedy from jalap to treat severe constipation.
- The dried root of the jalap plant, used in traditional medicine as a cathartic.
- She read that jalap should be used with caution due to its strong effects.
- Jalap was once listed in many pharmacopoeias as a standard laxative.
- The pharmacist ground the jalap into a fine powder for the prescription.