Strychnine tree

For the album by The Veils, see Nux Vomica.

Strychnine tree
File:Koeh-266.jpg
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Loganiaceae
Genus:	Strychnos
Species:	S. nux-vomica
Binomial name
Strychnos nux-vomica L.

File:Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 6021.jpg

in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

The Strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica L.) also known as Nux vomica, is a deciduous tree native to southeast Asia, a member of family Loganiaceae. It is a medium-size tree growing in open habitats. Its leaves are ovate and 3.5 by 2 inches(~5 by 9 cm) 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.

Description

Also known as Poison Nut, Semen strychnos and Quaker Buttonswith, Strychnine is a medium-sized tree with a short and thick trunk with dense, hard white wood with close grains. The branches are irregular and are covered with a smooth ashen bark. The young shoots are a deep green color with a shiny coat. The leaves have an opposite arrangement, short stalked, are oval shaped, also have a shiny coat and are smooth on both sides. The leaves are also about 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. The flowers are small with a pale green color with a funnel shape. They bloom in the cold season and having a foul smell. The fruit are about the size of a large apple with a smooth and hard shell which when ripened is a lovely orange color. The meat of the fruit is soft and white with a jelly-like pulp containing five seeds covered with a soft woolly substance. The seeds are removed from the fruit when ripe. They are then cleaned, dried and sorted. The seeds have the shape of a flattened disk completely covered with hairs radiating from the center of the sides. This gives the seeds a very characteristic sheen. The seeds are very hard, with a dark gray horny endosperm where the small embryo is housed that give off no odor but possess a very bitter taste. The plant is native to southeast Asia and Australia normally in tropical and subtropical areas.

Medical Uses

The properties of Nux Vomica are substantially those of an alkaloid Strychnine. The powder made from the Strychnine seeds are used to alleviate indigestion. Mixtures of Nux Vomica are also used as a stimulant on the gastro-intestinal tract. In the mouth it acts as a bitter dietary, increasing appetite by stimulating peristalsis. Chronic constipation can also be cured when nux vomica is often combined with cascara and other laxatives. Strychnine also increases the flow of gastric juice. It is then rapidly absorbed as it reaches the intestines, after which it affects the central nervous system and the movements of respiratory system causing a quicker and deeper breathing motion. The heart is also slowed through excitation of the vagus center. The senses of smell, touch, hearing and vision are rendered more acute. It improves pulse and raises blood pressure and can be used as a tonic for the circulatory system in cardiac failure. Strychnine is excreted very slowly and its action is cumulative, but in small doses it is used as a gastric tonic in dyspepsia. The most direct symptom caused by strychnine is violent convulsions due to a simultaneous stimulation of the motor or sensory ganglia of the spinal cord. During the convulsions there is a rise in blood pressure. In some types of chronic lead poisoning it is useful. In cases of surgical shock and cardiac failure large doses are given by hypodermic injection. It can also be used as an antidote for poisoning by chloral or chloroform. Brucine closely resembles strychnine in its action, but is slightly less poisonous as it only causes paralysis of the peripheral motor nerves. It is said that the convulsive action of strychnine is absent in brucine. It is used in pruritis and as a local anodyne in inflammations of the external ear.

Herbal Medicine

Strychnos is recommended for liver cancer, upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal irritation, hangovers, heartburn, insomnia, certain heart diseases, circulatory problems, eye diseases, depression, migraine headaches, nervous conditions, problems related to menopause, and respiratory diseases in the elderly. In folk medicine it is used as an appetite stimulant. Strychnos is used in Chinese herbal medicine to unblock channels and reduce swelling. It also alleviates pain and can treat abscesses and yin-type ulcers. In traditional Chinese treatment of cancer, it can be used in combination with other herbs. However Strychnos has not been proven effective for the treatment of any illness. Since the seeds contain strychnine, a poisonous chemical to humans, conventional doctors do not recommend it as a medicine. It is on the Commission E list of unapproved herbs because it is not recommended for use and has not been proven to be safe or effective. There is also no clinical trial evidence of Strychnos supporting it being a viable cancer treatment. However some Chinese studies have reported that Strychnos can kill cancer cells grown in laboratory dishes.

Poisoning

If poisoned, a stomach pump should be used immediately and potassium permanganate should be given to inactivate strychnine. Violent convulsions should be controlled by administration of chloroform or large doses of chloral or bromide. Urethane in large doses is considered an antidote. Amyl nitrite is also useful because of its rapid action during convulsions and can be used if breathing stops by a hypodermic injection.

Gallery

• Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 6018.jpg

  in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 6016.jpg

  in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 5873.jpg

  in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W IMG 5872.jpg

  in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

• Strychnos nux-vomica in Kinnarsani WS, AP W2 IMG 6021.jpg

  in Kinnerasani Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh, India.

Template:Gentianales-stub

‎

yi:ברעך-נוס