PDR for Herbal Medicines

S48/NUX VOMICA PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Production: Nux Vomica consists of the seeds of Strychnos

nux-vomica. The berries are picked when ripe. The hard

exocarp is removed and the seeds are taken out and washed

to remove any pulp residue. They are subsequently dried in

the sun.

Not to be Confused With: The seeds of Strychnos nux-

blanda, Strychnos potatorum and Strychnos wallichiana. Nux

vomica powder may be confused with the powder of date

nuts or olive stones and with by-products of stone-nut

processing.

Other Names: Poison Nut, Quaker Button's

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Indole alkaloids (2.0-5.0%): chief alkaloids strychnine and

brucine (approximately in a 1:1 ratio), including among

others, 12-hydroxystrychnine, 15-hydroxystrychnine, alpha-

colubrine, beta-colubrine, icajine

Fatty oil

Polysaccharides as insoluble reserve substances

Iridoide monoterpenes: including among others, loganin

EFFECTS

Nux Vomica increases reflex excitability. Endogenic and

exogenic stimuli reach the targeted organ without hindrance

and, as a result, possess a strengthened effect that can be

attributed to the alkaloid strychnine. The toxic principle

strychnine deadens the inhibitory synapse of the CNS and

results in overextended musculature reactions.

The strychnine and brucine components act as competitive

antagonists of the neurotransmitter glycine. The drug is

psychoaaateptic due to an increase in reflex action, i.e.,

endogenic and-~e)tGgenic stimuli reach-the targeted organ

without hindrance and as a result have a strengthened effect.

In addition, strychnine is cholinolytic in animal experiments.

In lower doses, the drug causes a reflexive increase of
glandular secretion in the gastrointestinal tract through the
amaroids.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Unproven Uses: Nux Vomica and its preparations are used in
combinations for diseases and conditions of the gastrointesti-
nal tract, organic and functional disorders of the heart and
circulatory system, diseases of the eye, nervous conditions,
depression, migraine, and climacteric complaints. In addi-
tion, the herb is used as a tonic, an appetite stimulant, for
respiratory complaints, for secondary anemia and for unspe-
cific geriatric complaints.

Chinese Medicine: The drug is used for general pain, febrile
illnesses, sore throat and abdominal tumors.

Indian Medicine: The drug is used for loss of appetite,

anemia, lumbago, asthma, bronchitis, constipation, diabetes,

intermittent and malarial fever, skin diseases, paralyses, and

muscle weakness; a special procedure is supposed to

detoxify the seeds.

Homeopathic Uses: The drug is used for inflammations of

the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts, disorders of the

urinary tract, febrile illnesses, hepatocystic disorders, hemor-

rhoids, dizziness, headache, neuralgia, rheumatic pain,

cramps, paralyses, insomnia and nervous irritability.

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

The drug is severely toxic due to the strychnine content and

is not recommended for use.

OVERDOSAGE

Symptoms of poisoning can occur after ingestion of one

bean. Strychnine doses of as little as 1.5 mg (30-50 mg of the

drug) initially cause restlessness, feelings of anxiety, height-

ening of sense perception, enhanced reflexes, equilibrium

disorders, and painful stiffness of the neck and back

musculature. Later, twitching, tonic spasms of the masseter

and neck musculature, and finally painful convulsions of the

entire body that are triggered by visual or tactile stimulation

occur. Dyspnea comes following spasm of the breathing

musculature. Death occurs through suffocation or exhaus-

tion. The lethal dosage for an adult is approximately 50 mg

strychnine (1-2 gm of the drug). Chronic intake of subcon-

vulsive dosages can also lead to death under similar

conditions after a period of weeks. This is due to an

accumulation of drug in the body, particularly in those who

have liver damage.

Following the administration of a watery suspension of

activated charcoal, the therapy for poisoning consists of

keeping external stimulation to a minimum through place-

ment in a quiet, warm, darkened room. Convulsions should

be treated with dosages of diazepam or barbital (i.v.). High-

calorie glucose infusions should also be given. Intubation

and oxygen respiration may also be required. Gastric lavage

should be avoided, due to the danger of triggering convul-

sions. Analeptics or phehothiazines should not be adminis-

tered. Because of the possibility of unwanted effects

occurring in conjunction with the administration of therapeu-

tic dosages, one should forgo any administration of the drug.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Nux Vomica is used almost

exclusively in homeopathy. Radioactively tagged strychnine

is used in medicine to detect glycinergic receptors. In

industry, the drug is used as an active agent for pest control.

Daily Dosage: The average single dose is 0.02-0.05 gm.