This product is the mature seed of the large woody vine plant Strychnos pierriana A. W. Hill (Yunnan Strychnos) or S. nuxvomica L. (Strychnos). The former is mainly produced in Yunnan, Guangdong, Hainan, and other regions; the latter is primarily found in India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand, and other areas. The seeds are collected when the fruit ripens in winter, then dried and processed for medicinal use.

Nux vomica is also known as nux vomica; another plant, cochinchina momordica seed, also called cochinchina momordica seed, belongs to a different family and genus, with distinct medicinal properties, and should not be confused. Nux vomica is round, with a central depression on one side, resembling a button, and densely covered with silky hairs. Cochinchina momordica seed is flat and plate-like, with a raised center and serrated edges, lacking hairs. Clinically, nux vomica (nux vomica) is more commonly used, while cochinchina momordica seed (cochinchina momordica seed) is sweet and warm in nature, toxic. It functions to reduce swelling and resolve toxins, mainly used for swelling toxins, acute mastitis, scrofula, and other conditions.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter, cold. extremely toxic. Act on liver and spleen meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Disperse nodules and reduce swelling, dredge collaterals and relieve pain.

bubble_chart Indications

1. Used for traumatic injuries, Yongju swelling and pain, etc. This product disperses nodules, reduces swelling, and relieves pain. It is often combined with Pangolin Scales and others, such as in the "Rescue from the Sea of Suffering" Maqian Powder and the "Surgical Formula with Odd Ingredients" Qinglong Pill. For pharyngitis with swelling and pain, it is combined with Vietnamese Sophora Root and ground into powder for throat application, as in the "Summary of Medical Formulas" prescription. In modern times, this product is combined with bran (2:1) to treat abscesses, acute and chronic erysipelas, with good efficacy.
2. Used for wind-dampness obstinate impediment, numbness, paralysis, etc. This product has a strong effect on opening the meridians, reaching the joints, and relieving pain. For wind-dampness obstinate impediment, it is combined with Ephedra, Earthworm, etc.; for numbness of the hands and feet, hemiplegia, it can be ground into powder and taken with Liquorice Root powder in honeyed pills.
3. In modern clinical practice, this product is used to treat severe myasthenia gravis, starting with a daily dose of 0.45g, divided into three doses, gradually increasing to 1～1.2g per day. It has shown some efficacy.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Compendium of Materia Medica: "For cold-damage disease Rebing, pharyngitis pain, to dissipate stuffiness lumps, hold it in the mouth and swallow the juice, or grind it with water and hold it in the mouth to swallow."
2. Records of Heartfelt Experiences in Medicine with Reference to the West: "The power to open and connect the meridians and to penetrate and reach the joints far surpasses that of other medicines."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

For internal use, it should be processed and mostly used in pills or powders, with a daily dosage of 0.3 to 0.6g. For external use, apply an appropriate amount by grinding into powder and mixing for topical application.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

It should not be taken internally in large amounts or for a prolonged period, and must be sand-fried until it swells and turns brown or dark brown before it can be used as medicine. It is contraindicated for pregnant women. Overdose poisoning can cause limb tremors, convulsions, difficulty breathing, and even unconsciousness.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains various alkaloids, mainly nux vomica alkaloids (strychnine), nux vomica alkaloids, as well as chlorogenic acid, nux vomica glycosides, fatty oils, proteins, etc.

1. Effect on the central nervous system: The nux vomica alkaloids contained in this product have a stimulating effect on the central nervous system. They first stimulate the reflex function of the spinal cord, then the respiratory center and vasomotor center of the medulla oblongata, and can enhance the function of the sensory center of the cerebral cortex, causing convulsions in large doses. Clinically, it has been tried for facial nerve paralysis, hypertrophic lumbar spondylitis, and the treatment of depressive and delusional types of schizophrenia, with some effectiveness.
2. Effect on the digestive system: Nux vomica alkaloids have a strong bitter taste, which is still present at concentrations below 1:400000. Clinically, nux vomica tincture has been used as a bitter stomachic to promote appetite, but its use is not widespread.
3. Effect on the respiratory system: The nux vomica alkaloids contained in this product, when administered orally to mice, have a significant antitussive effect and also have a dispelling phlegm effect. Clinically, nux vomica alkaloid tablets have been tried in patients with chronic bronchitis, with some effectiveness.
4. Nux vomica alkaloids have a paralyzing effect on sensory nerve endings.
5. Antibacterial effect: Nux vomica alkaloids have an inhibitory effect on Haemophilus influenzae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus type A, and Catarrhalis in vitro. They also have varying degrees of inhibitory effects on various skin fungi. Clinically, they have been tried for the treatment of carbuncles, subcutaneous nodules of the lung, and cervical erosion of the uterus, among other infectious diseases, with some effectiveness.
6. Toxicity: The LD₅₀ of nux vomica seeds, nux vomica alkaloids, and nux vomica alkaloids administered orally to mice are 234.5mg/kg, 3.27mg/kg, and 233mg/kg, respectively.