SALEP (Arab. sahleb, Gr. 6pxts)  , a drug extensively used in oriental countries as a nervine restorative and fattener, and also much prescribed in paralytic affections . It probably owed its original popularity to the belief in the " doctrine of signatures." It is not used in European medicine . It consists of the tuberous roots of various species of Orchis and Eulophia, which are decorticated, washed, heated until horny in appearance, and then dried . Its most important constituent is a mucilaginous substance which it yields with cold water to the extent of 48% .