Cephaeline is an alkaloid

Alkaloid

Alkaloids are a group of naturally occurring chemical compounds that contain mostly basic nitrogen atoms. This group also includes some related compounds with neutral and even weakly acidic properties. Also some synthetic compounds of similar structure are attributed to alkaloids...

 chemical that induces vomiting by stimulating the stomach lining. It is found in commercial products such as syrup of ipecac

Syrup of ipecac

Syrup of ipecac , commonly referred to as ipecac, is derived from the dried rhizome and roots of the ipecacuanha plant, and is a well known emetic .-Preparation:...

. Chemically, it is closely related to emetine

Emetine

Emetine is a drug used as both an anti-protozoal and to induce vomiting. It is produced from the ipecac root.-Early emetine-based preparations:Early use of emetine was in the form of oral administration of the extract of ipecac root, or ipecacuanha...

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Poison treatment

Cephaeline in the form of syrup of ipecac was commonly recommended as an emergency treatment for accidental poisoning until the final years of the 20th century.

It is extracted from cephaelis ipecacuanha and other plant species including Psychotria acuminata

Cephaelis

Cephaelis, also written Cephaëlis, is a genus of plant in the family Rubiaceae.A notable species is Cephaelis peruviana. Many species have been moved to Psychotria....

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