Nux vomica is created from the seeds of the strychnos nux vomica tree, an evergreen tree native to parts of Asia and Australia. The seeds contain several alkaloids including strychnine and brucine. Nux vomica has been used traditionally as a homeopathic medicine to treat digestive issues, irritability, and other conditions. However, taking nux vomica for an extended period or in high amounts can cause serious side effects and toxicity due to the strychnine content.

1. A Presentation On Nux Vomica
Submitted To:
Assistant Professor
Pharmacy Discipline,
Khulna University,
Khulna.
Submitted By:
151115
Year: 2nd , Term: 1st
Pharmacy Discipline,
Khulna University,
Khulna.
Date of Submission: 31 May, 2016

2. Nux vomica

3. Nux vomica is the
homeopathic remedy that
is created from the seeds
of the strychnos nux
vomica tree. This tree is
an evergreen tree. Nux-
vomica is from two Latin
words meaning, “ a nut
that causes vomiting”.
Figure: Nux vomica tree with fruits

4. Biological source: Nux vomica is the ripe,
dried seed of strychonos nux-vomica.
Synonyms:
Family: Loganiaceae
 Nux vomica seed
 Kuchla ( Hindi)
 Poison nut
 Vomit nut
 Bachelor’s buttons
 Dog buttons
 Quaker buttons
 Semen strychnos
Figure: Nux vomica seeds

5. Kingdom Plantae – Plants
Subkingdom Tracheobionta – Vascular plants
Superdivision Spermatophyta – Seed plants
Division Magnoliophyta – Flowering plants
Class Magnoliopsida – Dicotyledons
Subclass- Asteridae
Order- Gentianales
Family Loganiaceae – Logania family
Genus Strychnos L. – strychnos P
Species Strychnos nux-vomica L.

6. Geographical source:
The plant is native to east indies
and also found in the forests of
Morphology:
 Sri Lanka
 Malabar coast
 Northern Australia and
 India

7.  Branches are irregular and covered with a smooth
ash-colored bark.
 Flowers are small, greeny-white, funnel shape, in
small terminal cymes and have a disagreeable
smell. It blooms in the cold season.
 Fruit size is large with a smooth hard rind or shell.
 When the fruit is ripen, it gets a lovely orange
color, filled with a soft white jelly-like pulp
containing five seeds covered with a soft woolly-
like substance, white and horny internally.
 The seeds are removed when the fruits are riped,
cleansed, dried and sorted. Seed is disc shaped,
10-30mm in diameter, 4-6mm thick.

8. Cultivation and Collection:
 It grows well in tropical and sub tropical climate.
 It is propagated by seeds. Seeds are sown in polythene
bags during May – June.
 Before sowing the seeds, it is soaked in water so that
there sill be better germination.
 The seeds will germinate within 20 - 25 days.
 The seedling are planted at a distance of 6 x 6 m
distance during July.
 The tree comes to flower after about three years of
planting. Flowering starts in the month of August and
fruits ripen during October.

9. Chemical Constituents:
 Alkaloids :1.8-5.3%
 Loganine : As glycoside
 Fixed oil: 3%
 Caffeotannic acid
 Proteins
 Chlorgenic acid
 Strychnine
 Brucine
 α-Colubrine
 β-Colubrine
 3-methoxyicajine
 Vomicine
 Novacine
 Protostrychnine
 N-oxystrychnine
 Isostrychnine

10. Loganine
Vomicine

21. Chemical Tests:
1. Strychnine Test: A mixture of ammonium
vandate and sulphuric acid on addition to
strychnine or a thick section of endosperm
gives purple color.
2. Potassium Dichromate Test: Addition of
potassium dichromate and conc. H2SO4 with
strychnine forms violet color.
3. Brucine Test: Addition of conc. HNO3 to
brucine or thick section of endosperm
produces yellow to orange color.

22. How Does it work?
Nux vomica contains strychnine and other
chemicals that affect the brain and cause
muscle contractions.
This can lead to convulsions and death.
Strychnine in amounts that are too small to
produce symptoms can still be a serious problem.
Small amounts of strychnine build up in the body
with continued use, especially in people with liver
disease.
This can cause death in a period of weeks.
Strychnine poisoning can be detected with
laboratory tests.

23. Mental: Does not want to be touched, Sedentary life style,
Impatient.
Coughs: Dry and tickling cough, Feeling that coughs tears
something loose in chest.
Influenza: Nausea, Cannot get warm, Shivering-especially
after drinking.
Head: Over sensitiveness, Congestive headache, related with
hemorrhoids.
Eyes: Photophobia Optic neuritis.
Female: Menses too early lasts too long ,Dysmenorrhœa
& Inefficient labor-pain, Metrorrhagia.
Male: Weakness and irritability, Spermatorrhœa, with
dreams; Pain in testicles, Orchitis .
Symptoms:

24.  In atonic dyspepsia
 as circulatory stimulant
 as nervine
 as sex tonic
 as stimulant for GIT
 improve digestion
 increases blood presure
 in over sensitivity & irritability
 as anti-tumor
 as nervous system stimulant
 as pain reliever
 in relieve paralysis
Medicinal Uses:

25. Traditional Uses:
Nux-vomica is a common homeopathic
medicine prescribed for
 digestive problem,
 sensitivity to cold,
 Irritability,
 Mental strain from over working,
 Self indulgence,
 Ineffectual urge to vomit.
 Impatience.

26.  Most accidental poisoning
is by breathing in the powder
or by absorption through the skin.

27.  Taking nux vomica for more than a week, or in
high amounts of 30 mg or more, can cause
several problems. Like restlessness anxiety,
dizziness, neck and back stiffness, spasms of
jaw and neck muscles, convulsions, seizures,
breathing problems, liver failure, and death.
 Taking nux vomica can harm both mother and
child during pregnancy.
 The strychnine in nux vomica can cause liver
damage or make liver disease worse.