Strychnos nux-vomica (Strychnos nux-vomica): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Frequently asked questions

How does Strychnos nux-vomica work as a nerve tonic?

Strychnos nux-vomica contains strychnine and brucine as primary active compounds. Strychnine acts as a competitive antagonist at glycine receptors in the spinal cord, blocking inhibitory neurotransmission. This produces CNS stimulation and increased motor neuron excitability. At minute, detoxified doses used in Ayurveda, this mechanism may enhance nerve signaling and muscle responsiveness, supporting its traditional use in paralysis rehabilitation. Evidence level: C.

Is Strychnos nux-vomica safe during pregnancy?

No, Strychnos nux-vomica is unsafe during pregnancy. Strychnine and brucine can cross the placenta and may cause fetal harm, including convulsions and potential fetal death. The uterine stimulation properties may also trigger premature labor. Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy should avoid all nux-vomica preparations. Evidence level: C.

What is the safe dosage of Strychnos nux-vomica?

Strychnos nux-vomica should ONLY be used in properly detoxified (shodhit) Ayurvedic preparations under qualified practitioner supervision. Traditional Ayurvedic texts specify minute doses, typically measured in milligrams of processed seed material. The therapeutic window is extremely narrow, and self-medication is strictly contraindicated. Raw seeds are potentially lethal and should never be used internally. Evidence level: Traditional.

Does Strychnos nux-vomica interact with medications?

Yes, Strychnos nux-vomica may interact with CNS-stimulating medications, causing additive stimulation and increased seizure risk. Concurrent use with drugs that lower seizure threshold, such as certain antidepressants and antipsychotics, is particularly dangerous. Strychnine is metabolized by cytochrome P450 enzymes, so medications affecting these pathways could alter strychnine levels. Professional guidance is essential for any combination. Evidence level: C.

Why are raw nux-vomica seeds dangerous?

Raw Strychnos nux-vomica seeds contain high concentrations of strychnine, a potent neurotoxin. Ingestion causes uncontrolled muscle contractions, spinal rigidity, convulsions, respiratory failure, and death. There is no safe home preparation method. Ayurvedic shodhit (detoxification) processes reduce strychnine content, but must be performed by trained practitioners. Self-treatment with raw seeds has caused numerous documented fatalities. Evidence level: C.

What is Strychnos nux-vomica used for in Ayurveda?

In Ayurveda, properly detoxified Strychnos nux-vomica seeds are traditionally used as a nerve tonic, for paralysis rehabilitation, as a digestive stimulant, and as an aphrodisiac. Homeopathic preparations use highly diluted forms for various conditions. The raw seeds are never used internally due to lethal strychnine content. All internal uses require professional guidance and properly processed preparations. Evidence level: C.

PubMed-compiled information sheet

This sheet was compiled from PubMed (NIH) abstracts using AI assistance. Every factual claim is cited to a real PubMed article (see the source list). It has not yet been human-reviewed — confirm with a healthcare provider before use.

Compiled from 28 PubMed articles · model: gemma4:31b

Summary

Strychnos nux-vomica is an evergreen tree native to Southeast Asia, India, and Australia, whose seeds are used in traditional and homeopathic medicine [PMID:28120207, PMID:37011123]. It contains highly toxic alkaloids, primarily strychnine and brucine, which limit its clinical application [PMID:37011123, PMID:32308621].

Background

Strychnos nux-vomica L. belongs to the genus Strychnos of the family Loganiaceae and grows in Sri Lanka, India, and Australia [PMID:29298518]. The traditional medicinal component is the seed, often referred to as Nux vomica [PMID:29298518].

Traditional uses

Traditionally used in Chinese, Tibetan, and Unani medicine for conditions including neurodisorders, arthritis, vomiting, diabetes, asthma, as an aphrodisiac, to improve appetite, and to elevate blood pressure [PMID:28120207, PMID:25594733, PMID:22707864, PMID:21731158]. It is also used in homeopathic medicine for a wide range of conditions, including heart disease and cancer [PMID:37011123].

Active compounds

The seeds contain over 84 compounds, including alkaloids (strychnine, brucine, protostrychnine, vomicine, n-oxystrychnine, pseudostrychnine, isostrychnine), iridoid glycosides (loganic acid and its acetylated derivatives), flavonoid glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids, and organic acids [PMID:29298518, PMID:22707864, PMID:14629997].

Mechanism of action

Strychnine and brucine act as central nervous system stimulants [PMID:28120207]. The herb is reported to have anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:33949930, PMID:29298518].

Clinical evidence

Evidence DSciatic nerve crush injury

Processed S. nux-vomica seeds (250 mg/kg) promoted functional recovery and attenuated oxidative stress in a mouse model [PMID:32527244]

Evidence DEthanol intake

Nux MT and Nux 30c significantly reduced voluntary ethanol intake and increased water intake in rats [PMID:11327524]

Evidence CRheumatoid Arthritis

Strychni semen showed promising results through anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and immunomodulatory effects [PMID:33949930]

Evidence DMyasthenia Gravis

Network pharmacology and molecular docking suggest potential mechanisms for the prevention of Myasthenia Gravis [PMID:35795289]

Safety & adverse effects

The plant is highly toxic due to strychnine and brucine [PMID:37011123]. Toxicity manifests as neuromuscular hyperexcitability, agitation, muscular spasms, convulsions, rhabdomyolysis, metabolic acidosis, and respiratory and cardiac arrest [PMID:37011123]. Animal studies in zebrafish and rats indicate potential liver and kidney toxicity [PMID:30277848, PMID:28459520, PMID:28648929]. However, ingestion has not been shown to cause serum aminotransferase elevations or liver injury in humans [PMID:37011123].

Evidence summary

The evidence consists primarily of reviews, animal models, and toxicological studies. There is a lack of high-level human clinical trial data, although traditional use is documented and some homeopathic products are reported to contain negligible amounts of toxic alkaloids [PMID:34181973].

PubMed sources

1.PMID: 37011123 (2012) — Osler on migraine. · The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques
2.PMID: 29298518 (2018) — Botany, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Toxicity of Strychnos nux-vomica L.: A Review. · The American journal of Chinese medicine
3.PMID: 34181973 (2021) — Negligible Nux Vomica: Homeopathic Nux Vomica remedies don't contain strychnine? · Toxicon : official journal of the International Society on Toxinology
4.PMID: 25594733 (2015) — Important poisonous plants in tibetan ethnomedicine. · Toxins
5.PMID: 28120207 (2017) — A review on medicinal uses, analytical techniques and pharmacological activities of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.: A concise report. · Chinese journal of integrative medicine

Strychnos nux-vomica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Strychnos nux-vomica

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Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources

Strychnos nux-vomica

Sources & Citations

Calculate a safe dose of Strychnos nux-vomica

Related Herbs

Citrus hystrix

Stachys officinalis

Hericium Coralloides

Frequently asked questions

Summary

Background

Traditional uses

Active compounds

Mechanism of action

Clinical evidence

Safety & adverse effects

Evidence summary

PubMed sources

Government sources