Gunja is one of the Sthavar Visha. In ayurveda this is classified in upvisha. Abrin is the component which is poisonous. in this presentation, Abrus Habitat , synonyms, its treatment, sodhana, signs and symptoms, external applications medicolegal aspects has been mentioned.

1. GUNJA
PRESENTED BY
DR POOJA PRASAD
PG SCHOLAR
AGAD- TANTRA

2. Type of poison- Organic irritant poison
Botanical name- Abrus precatorius
Family- Fabacea
Vernacular names
Hindi – Gunja
English- Indian liquorice, jequirity, rosary bead, ratti.

3. Synonyms
रक्तिका,रिा,ताम्रिका,
शीतपाकी
Toxic part
Seed
Habit
A deciduous, slender,
twining, climber with
slender flexible branches,
stem attaining 4-5 m height.

4. Description
Leaves- compound feather
like with 10-15 pairs of
narrow leaflets, 1-2.5 cm
long.
Flowers- long, pink, purple
, yellowish or whitish,
clustered.
Seeds- 3-6 ovoid, 7.5 cm
long, scarlet with a black
spot at the hilum, polished,
average weight 120-125mg,
present in a seed pod.

5. Habitat – Its is found all over the India.
Rasa Panchaka:
रस -म्रति ,कषाय
गुण - लघु ,तीक्ष्ण ,रुक्ष
वीयय -उष्ण
म्रवपाक -कटु
Toxic chemical constituents- Abrin, Abrine, Abralin.

6. Signs and Symptoms
Internal administration
When the seeds are swallowed raw or after cooking they are
not poisonous. Seeds must be crushed or chewed for
harmful effects to occur.
Symptoms may be delayed from a few hours to 2-3 days
when given orally.
they include severe irritation of upper GIT, abdominal pain,
nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, weakness , cold
perspiration, trembling of the hands, weak rapid pulse ,
rectal bleeding, tachycardia, headache, dilated pupils,
hallucinations, drowsiness, tetany and circulatory collapse.

7. External applications
The seeds alone or mixed with Dhatura, Opium and onion
are worked with a small quantity of spirit into paste, which
is made into spikes or suis and then hardened in the sun.
These sharp pointed spikes which weigh on an average 90-
120 mg are then placed in a wooden handle and thrust with
great force into the skin of the animal intended to be killed.
For homicidal purpose the spike is kept between two fingers
and is pushed into the skin while slapping a person.

8. The symptoms resembles those of viper snake bite.
When extract of seeds is injected under skin of the animal it
results in a local lesion, characterized by edema, necrosis
and oozing of hemorrhagic fluid from the puncture site.
The animal becomes apathetic and drowsy. Its is disinclined
to take food. In 3-4 days its unable to move , drops down,
becomes comatose and dies. Convulsion may precede
death.

9. Human poisoning is characterized by a local painful
swelling and ecchymosis, followed by necrosis.
Fatal dose- 90-120 mg by injection
1-2 crushed seeds by mouth
Fatal period- 3-5 days

10. Treatment
1- gastric lavage
2- activated charcoal
3-Purgative
4- dissecting out the sui and injection of anti-abrin

11. Post mortem appearance
The injured site is swollen, inflamed and necrosed.
Fragments of sui are usually found in wound. Internal
organs are congested and hemorrhagic.
Mucous membrane of the stomach and intestine is highly
congested with numerous hemorrhagic patches on its
surface.

12. Medico-legal importance
Most of the cases are accidental like consumption of
attractive seeds by children
Suis are used to kill cattle either to produce cheap hides or
for revenge
For homicide, the needle is kept between fingers and giving
a slap which drives the needle into the body.
The used of abrus as an arrow poison is unknown
malingers use the powdered seeds to produce
conjunctivitis.

13. Method of shodhana
Gunja seeds are tied in a pottali to do dolayantra swedana
with kanjika as liquid media for three hours. The external
cover is removed, washed with warm water, dried well and
used.

14. • औषध योग : गुन्ज्याध्यातैल ,गुन्ज्जाजीवनरस , गुन्ज्जाभद्र रस
Therapeutic dose- बीज चूणय 1/2- 1 1/2 रत्ती