2. Synonyms:
Semen strychni, Nux vomica Seed, Poison Nut, Semen
strychnos, Quaker Buttons, Bachelor’s buttons, Dog
buttons, Vomit nut, Crow fig
Botanical origin:
Nux vomica consists of the dried ripe seeds
of Strychnos nux vomica Linn.
Family:
Loganiaceae
Part used:
Dried ripe seeds
Distribution:
It is mainly found in South India, Malabar Coast,
Kerala, Bengal, Eastern Ghats, North Australia and
Ceylon.
3. Strychnos nux-vomica is a medium-sized evergreen tree
that can grow up to 25 meters in height.
The tree has a dense, spreading crown and a straight
trunk.
The leaves are leathery, glossy, and elliptical in shape.
The tree produces small, greenish-white flowers that are
fragrant and arranged in clusters.
The fruit is a large, round berry with a smooth, yellowish-
green skin.
The seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica are flat, disc-shaped,
and have a hard, woody shell.
4.
5. Tree Structure:
Strychnos nux-vomica is a medium-sized evergreen tree
with a straight trunk.
Bark:
The bark is thick, smooth, and greenish-gray when young,
becoming darker and rougher with age.
Leaves:
The leaves are glossy, leathery, and elliptical in shape.
They are arranged oppositely on the branches.
Flowers:
The plant produces small, greenish-white, and fragrant
flowers.
The flowers are typically bisexual.
6. Fruits:
The fruits are large, round, and orange when mature.
They have a smooth, hard shell.
Seeds:
The seeds are flat, round, and disc-shaped.
The seeds are embedded in a gelatinous pulp within the
fruit.
Odor:
The seeds have a strong, disagreeable odor.
Taste:
The seeds have an intensely bitter taste.
7. The powdered drug derived from Strychnos nux-
vomica, commonly known as nux vomica, is obtained
from the seeds of the plant.
Color and Texture:
The powdered drug is often light brown to grayish
in color.
The texture is typically fine and powdery.
Odor:
Nux vomica powder may have a distinctive,
somewhat bitter odor.
8. Epidermis consists of thick-waved, bent and
twisted lignified covering trichomes. The base of
the trichome is large thick walled with slit like
pits. The upper part of the trichome is nearly at
right angle to the base and has wavy walls.
Endosperm consists of thick walled isodiametric
cells consisting of hemicellulose which swells
with water and contains plasmodesma. Aleurone
grains and fixed oil are present in endosperm and
embryo..
11. Strychnos nux vomica is known for its stimulating effects
on the central nervous system.
The plant is used in traditional medicine to address
digestive issues and stimulate appetite.
Nux vomica is suggested to have analgesic effects,
contributing to its historical use for pain relief.
In homeopathy, Strychnos nux vomica is employed for
various conditions, including digestive and neurological
disorders.
Due to its toxicity, controlled and limited medicinal use
of nux vomica is observed, especially in traditional and
alternative medicine.
