Description: Jalap resin is a mixture of glycosidal resins obtained by extraction of ground roots of a native plant of Brazil (Operculina macrocarpa). After purified and concentrated, the resin is throughly water washed and dried. Before grinding the resin is of dark brown color; when ground its of a dark brown with a peculiar odor. In its powder form the resin is used as a laxative either alone or combined with other products of anti-cholinergic effect.

The tincture of jalap contains around 0.15% of the pure resin and a mixture of 2:1 of alcohol and water and it is windely used in Brazilan folk medicine.

- Loss on drying ................................. 8.0% (max.)
- Residue on ignition .......................... 1.0% (max.)
- Saponification value ........................ .160 to 190
- Acid value ... ................................... 10 to 28
- Solubility     in ether ......................... 2% (max.)
                    in chloroform ................. 45% (max.)
                    in water ......................... 3% (max.)
                    in ethanol ...................... 2% (max)

Note: The Bristish Parmacopea mentions Scamonea resin only. Both resins are very similar and only the amount of water soluble particles is smaller on the scamonea resin.