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Nux Vomica Side Effects

Mar 23, 2010 | By Janet Contursi

Nux vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica) is a small evergreen with green and white flowers and yellow fruit. The tree is native to India and Myanmar. The bark, leaf, root and seed contain the alkaloids strychnine and brucine, which are used to treat nervous disorders, digestive problems, constipation, heart failure, and irritability in the ayurvedic and homeopathic medical systems. These alkaloids are also poisonous and can cause serious side effects in excessive doses.

Muscle Spasms

Strychnine acts as a stimulant to the central nervous system. Muscle spasms are the primary symptom of strychnine poisoning. Light and sound may increase the spasms because strychnine affects the nerve impulses in the spinal cord, making them very sensitive to outside stimuli. The 2002 issue of "Human and Experimental Toxicology" reports an incident of a woman prescribed a brew made with nux vomica seeds. The woman was given 25 times the safe dose and, shortly after drinking the brew, began to have violent spasms in her limbs, hands and feet.

Raised Blood Pressure

Smaller doses of strychnine will slow heart rate and raise blood pressure. Toxic doses of strychnine will spike blood pressure because strychnine acts on the lower part of the brainstem that controls cardiac and respiratory activity. High blood pressure from strychnine poisoning may lead to heart attack.

Arching the Back

According to the Centers for Disease Control, strychnine blocks the neurotransmitter glycine, which carries signals about muscle movement between nerve cells, and in low or moderate doses strychnine causes the back and neck to arch uncontrollably. Symptoms can appear within 15 to 60 minutes, depending on the amount ingested and the contents of the victim's stomach.

Rhabdomyolysis

Rhabdomyolysis occurs when the muscle fibers around the bones break down quickly and release toxins into the bloodstream that can cause kidney damage. The 2009 issue of the "Malaysian Journal of Pathology" reports a case of rhabdomyolysis caused by brucine that lead to kidney failure. According to the researchers, rhabdomyolysis and kidney failure occur with both strychnine and brucine poisoning, but are more common with strychnine.

Lactic Acidosis

Muscle convulsions from strychnine poisoning cause increased levels of lactic acid to build up in muscle tissue. Because these spasms are continuous, the lactic acid cannot be removed through natural processes. This can lead to a potentially fatal disorder called lactic acidosis.

Death

Death from strychnine can occur in several ways. Violent muscle convulsions eventually affect the respiratory muscles, causing irregular and interrupted breathing. If the respiratory muscles become exhausted, breathing stops. Alternatively, the poison may paralyze the nerves and muscles that control breathing, causing asphyxiation.

References

Article reviewed by Contributing Writer Last updated on: Mar 23, 2010

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