Scammonium - resin from the roots of the convolvulus resinous Convolvulus Scammonia L., belongs to the resin group itself, odorless.
Gathering
Scammonium is mined both by collecting the outflowing lacteal juice from the incisions in the roots, and by extracting the crushed roots with 90% alcohol .
Properties
Scammonium is a yellowish-brown, gray-brown, or dark-brown mass, somewhat translucent, with a brilliant yellowish fracture. It easily turns into a powder of a grayish-white color, with a pungent taste. Mixed with water, the powder turns into an emulsion or a sticky, sticky mass.
Composition
The resin consists mainly of glycosides of yalapic acid and its methyl ester (jalapine, scammonin), also contains scopoletin glycoside, dioxycinnamic acid, about 10% gum , volatile fatty acids , essential oils .