Ipecac has been used traditionally for the symptomatic relief of nausea and vomiting, morning sickness, travel sickness, gastric upset and spasmodic cough with nausea and vomiting.

This remedy is mainly indicated for persistent nausea and vomiting. There is a sensitivity to noise, the person feels chilly and irritable and averse to eating. It may be useful when symptoms come on after eating unripened fruits in summer or spasmodic chest symptoms during a period of cold, dry north winds. All ailments are accompanied with nausea and profuse saliva in the mouth. There may be a tendency towards nosebleeds or other blood losses that are accompanied by nausea. Symptoms may follow cold nights after hot days.