Jalapa

Botanical

What is it

Jalapa (Ipomoea purga or Ipomoea jalapa) is a Mexican vine in the morning-glory family. Its tuberous root has been used historically as a strong purgative (laxative).

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Purgative (historical)

Mixed Evidence

Effective as a purgative, but safer alternatives are universally preferred today.

How it works

Jalapa root contains resinous glycosides (jalapin, convolvulin) that act as drastic intestinal stimulants when ingested. They are not absorbed but irritate the intestinal lining, producing watery diarrhea. Historically used as a purgative when softer laxatives were unavailable. Modern medicine has safer alternatives; jalapa is rarely used today and is mostly of historical interest.

Dosage

No safe established supplement dose. Historical purgative doses were small (0.3-1 g of powder) and supervised by practitioners.

When and how to take it

Not recommended for use.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Dried tuber (powder)

Historical pharmaceutical form.

Strong purgative resin glycosides.

Safety

Strong purgative effects can cause severe diarrhea, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, abdominal cramping, and nausea. Risk of rectal prolapse with abuse. Not appropriate for self-medication.

Who should be cautious

Avoid in pregnancy, breastfeeding, in children, in older adults, and in anyone with cardiac, kidney, or electrolyte problems.

Interactions

Increases gastrointestinal motility; may reduce absorption of oral medications and contraceptives. Combined use with diuretics or other laxatives can worsen electrolyte loss.

Frequently asked questions

Is jalapa the same as the chili pepper?⌄

No. The chili (jalapeno) is unrelated. Jalapa (Ipomoea purga) is a morning-glory species used as a laxative.

Is jalapa safe?⌄

It is a strong purgative with risks of dehydration and electrolyte loss. Not recommended for self-use.

References

Jalapa on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database) — NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Jalapa (PubMed search) — PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.