Costa Rica is at present the principal source of the drug. World trade in the root has come down of late due to introduction of highly effective synthetic anti-amoebic drugs. Continuous use of such drugs caused resistant strains of the protozoan, resulting in the revival of demand for ipecac. At present there is a worldwide shortage of the drug. Total production of ipecac in the world is approximately 100 tonnes per year, most of which comes from Nicaragua, Brazil and India. Indian production of ipecac comes exclusively from cultivation at Mungpoo in West Bengal. In India ipecac cultivation is done by the West Bengal Cinchona Department in the Darjeeling district and to a smaller extent in Sikkim and parts of Assam. The annual production ranges between 25–30 tonnes of dry roots and part of the produce, including emetine salts is exported.

Dioscorea

It consists of the tubers or rhizomes of a number of cultivated and wild species of Dioscorea, family Dioscoreaceae.