Strychnos ignatii vs Lemon Balm Toronjil

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Strychnos ignatii

Nervine

Lemon Balm Toronjil

Melissa officinalis (tropical)

Nervine

⚠️ Pregnancy & Nursing Warnings

Strychnos ignatii

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Lemon Balm Toronjil

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

✅ Generally safe while nursing

Description

Philippine vine with seeds containing strychnine and brucine, used in Ayurveda and homeopathy in detoxified forms.

Tropical variety of lemon balm naturalized in Latin America and used in Mexican and Caribbean folk medicine for anxiety, digestive complaints, and fever.

Active Compounds

strychnine, brucine, loganin, caffeic acid

rosmarinic acid, citral, geraniol, luteolin, apigenin

Traditional Uses

Traditional Philippine medicine for fevers and digestive complaints, Homeopathic source material Ignatia amara

Anxiety, Digestive complaints, Fever, Heart palpitations

Modern Uses

Homeopathic grief and anxiety remedy, Traditional Philippine medicine, Strychnine research

Anxiolytic activity, Antispasmodic effects, Antiviral properties, Sedative action

Adult Dosage

Homeopathic dilution only; raw seeds extremely toxic

Herb tea: 2-3 cups daily; 1-2ml tincture 3x daily

Contraindications

All conditions without extreme dilution or pharmaceutical preparation, Pregnancy

Hypothyroidism high doses, Sedative medications additive

Side Effects

Convulsions, Death from strychnine at minute doses

Drowsiness, Mild GI effects, Thyroid effects with very high doses

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E

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