Strychnine tree

For the album by The Veils, see Nux Vomica.

Strychnine tree
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Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Gentianales Family: Loganiaceae Genus: Strychnos Species: S. nux-vomica
Binomial name
Strychnos nux-vomica Linnaeus

The Strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica L.) also known as Nux vomica, is an evergreen tree native to southeast Asia, a member of family Loganiaceae. It is a medium-sized tree growing in open habitats. Its leaves are ovate and 3.5 by 2 inches in size.

It is a major source of the highly poisonous alkaloids strychnine and brucine, derived from the seeds inside the tree's round, green to orange fruit. The seeds contain approximately 1.5% strychnine, and the dried blossoms contain 1.023%. However, the tree's bark also contains poisonous compounds, including brucine.

Uses in Homeopathy

In homeopathy, Nux-v. — as it is commonly abbreviated — is one of the most commonly prescribed remedies, used for patients who are competitive, ambitious, driven,and irritable.

A passage taken from Dorland's Medical Dictionary (1938) follows:

nux vomica The poisonous seed of strych'nos nux-vomica, a loganiaceous tree of the East Indies. It contains several alkaloids, the principal ones being strychnine and brucine, on which the properties of the drug depend. It is a bitter tonic, stimulating the gastric secretion. It is a heart stimulant and a stimulant to the respiration and the motor centers of the cord. In large doses it causes tetanic convulsions. Nux vomica is used in dyspepsia and loss of appetite, in chronic constipation from atony of the intestine, in acute infectious diseases, in shock, in conditions attended with dyspnea, in poisoning by opium, lead, tobacco, or alcohol, in bronchitis, and in incontinence of urine from atony of the bladder. Dose, 1-5 grains (0.066-0.333 Gm.); of abstract, ¼-½ grain (0.016-0.033 Gm.); of extract (U. S. P.) ⅛-½ (0.008-0.033 Gm.); of fluidextract, 1-5 minims (0.066-0.033cc.); of tincture (U. S. P.). 5-20 minims (0.333-1.333 cc.).

A passage taken from New International Encyclopedia follows:

Nux vomica is poisonous in a greater or lesser degree to most animals. In very small doses its effects upon man are those of a general tonic, acting as a stimulant to digestion, circulation, respiration, and the nervous system. It seems to exert a selective action upon the cells of the anterior horns of the spinal cord. In larger doses there is a disordered state of the muscular system; the limbs tremble; a slight rigidity or stiffness is felt when an attempt is made to put the muscles in action; respiration is jerky and there is a sense of uneasiness. If the medicine is continued these effects increase in intensity and the voluntary muscles are thrown into a convulsed state by very slight causes, as, e.g., by inspiring more deeply than usual or even by turning in bed. In paralysis the effects are most marked in the paralyzed parts. In toxic doses the drug paralyzes the functions of the spinal cord, and the respiratory centres, death resulting from suffocation. The symptoms closely resemble those of tetanus. It is difficult to say what is the smallest dose that would kill an adult. Thirty grains of the powdered nuts are known to have had a lethal result. Three grains of the extract have proved fatal; half a grain of strychnine sulfate caused death in 14 minutes. Its chemical antidote is tannin, which forms a partially insoluble compound.

External links

• http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/n/nuxvom08.html