Nux vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica ) is an evergreen tree with white tube-like flowers that is native to Asia. The seeds of the tree's fruit are popular as an herbal remedy in traditional European medicine and modern homeopathic medicine, and they are widely used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Nux vomica seeds, also known as ma qian zi, contain poisonous alkaloids that are central nervous system stimulants, and nux vomica's traditional use is as a stimulant and bitter tonic. Homeopathic remedies use a very dilute solution of nux vomica to treat atonic muscles, constipation, paralysis and pain. Nux vomica is a poisonous plant and ingestion of the seeds can lead to convulsions and death.
Arthritis
Arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the joints. Arthritis sufferers can take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like aspirin and ibuprofen, to reduce the pain and inflammation. In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disorder, patients may take corticosteroids to reduce the inflammation and suppress the immune system. Nux vomica seeds contain an alkaloid called brucine, which is similar to strychnine, the other poisonous alkaloid in the seeds, but not as poisonous. A study published in the October 2003 issue of the "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" found that brucine reduces pain and inflammation in test animals with induced arthritis by affecting both the peripheral and central nerve pathways.
Impaired memory
Impaired memory, especially in the elderly, may be a consequence of aging diseases like Alzheimer's. Nux vomica fruit pulp and seeds contain the bitter chemical loganin, an iridoid glycoside---a chemical some plants develop to protect themselves from plant-eating insects. Loganin also counters inflammation, a symptom in Alzheimer's disease. A study published in the October 2009 issue of the "European Journal of Pharmacology" found that loganin improved and reversed memory impairments in test animals, and may inhibit amnesia. The researchers conclude that loganin may hold value as a therapy for Alzheimer's.
Alcoholism
Alcoholism is a chronic addiction to alcohol. Among the many conventional treatments for alcoholism are drugs like disulfiram, naltrexone and acamprosate, which do not cure the disease, but reduce the urge to drink alcohol. Disulfiram actually works by making you ill after drinking alcohol. Strychnine, a poisonous alkaloid in nux vomica, may have anti-alcohol activity. A study published in the April 2001 issue of the "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine" found that nux vomica created an aversion to alcohol in test animals. The animals were given homeopathic extracts of nux vomica seeds in different dilutions, and afterwards, reduced their alcohol intake. The researchers credit the principal alkaloid in the seed, strychnine, for the anti-alcohol effect.
Cancer
Nux vomica is a popular remedy in traditional Chinese medicine. A study published in the May 2006 issue of "Toxicological Sciences" notes that nux vomica, is a major component of Chinese herbal remedies for liver cancer. The study found that the nux vomica alkaloid brucine, active against liver cancer cells, shares a chemical structure with other alkaloids, like harringtonine, vincaleukoblastine and vincristine, which have anti-tumor properties and are the basis for conventional chemotherapy drugs.
References
- "Journal of Ethnopharmacology"; Analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties of brucine and brucine N-oxide extracted from seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica; Yin W, Wang TS, Yin FZ, Cai BC; October 2003
- "European Journal of Pharmacology"; Loganin improves learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine in mice; Kwon SH, Kim HC, Lee SY, Jang CG; October 2009
- "Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine"; Strychnos nux-vomica extract and its ultra-high dilution reduce voluntary ethanol intake in rats; Sukul NC, Ghosh S, Sinhababu SP, Sukul A; April 2001
- "Toxicological Sciences"; The Apoptotic Effect of Brucine from the Seed of Strychnos nux-vomica on Human Hepatoma Cells is Mediated via Bcl-2 and Ca2+ Involved Mitochondrial Pathway; Xukun Deng, Fangzhou Yin, Xiaoyu Lu, Baochang Cai, and Wu Yin; May 2006
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