Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. - mahaforest.nic.in
Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. - mahaforest.nic.in
Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. - mahaforest.nic.in
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THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF<br />
CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS<br />
(RESEARCH, EDUCATION & TRAINING)<br />
MAHARASHTRA (PUNE)<br />
PRIORITISED PLANTS BROCHURE<br />
<strong>Strychnos</strong> <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong> <strong>L<strong>in</strong>n</strong>.<br />
(kuchla)
Name and taxonomy:<br />
Scientific name :<br />
Family:<br />
Common Name:<br />
Threat status:<br />
Trade name:<br />
Habit:<br />
Distribution, Habitat<br />
and Climatic<br />
conditions:<br />
<strong>Strychnos</strong> <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong> <strong>L<strong>in</strong>n</strong>.<br />
Loganiaceae<br />
Kajra (Marathi), Kuchla (H<strong>in</strong>di), Nux-<strong>vomica</strong>, Poison Nut,<br />
Snake-wood, Strychn<strong>in</strong>e Tree (English)<br />
Rare<br />
Nux-<strong>vomica</strong>, Kuchla.<br />
It is a medium-sized tree with a short thick trunk usually 10-13<br />
m high and 0.9-1.8 m <strong>in</strong> girth. In favourable conditions, trees<br />
can grow as high as 25-30 m. atta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g a girth of 2-2.5 m. The<br />
wood is hard, white and close-gra<strong>in</strong>ed. The branches are<br />
irregular and are covered with a smooth ash coloured bark.<br />
The young shoots are of a deep green color with a sh<strong>in</strong>y coat.<br />
The leaves have an opposite arrangement, short stalked and<br />
are oval shaped, with sh<strong>in</strong>y coat and are glabrous on both<br />
sides. The leaves are about 6-10 cm long and 3-6 cm wide.<br />
The plant is distributed <strong>in</strong> semi evergreen and moist deciduous<br />
forests of Maharashtra spread<strong>in</strong>g across Konkan, Sahyadri<br />
foot hills of Western Ghats up to altitudes of 360 m).<br />
The tree is found grow<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> region where maximum<br />
temperature varies from 35 to 45 celsius and m<strong>in</strong>imum<br />
temperature varies from 4 to 18 celsius, and where ra<strong>in</strong> fall<br />
ranges from 750 to 3750 mm. The tree is shade bearer,<br />
grow<strong>in</strong>g under a moderate canopy even <strong>in</strong> semi-evergreen<br />
forests. It produces root suckers and is free from damage by<br />
brows<strong>in</strong>g, as animal (except goats) avoid it. In moist forest, the<br />
tree is evergreen, but <strong>in</strong> dry areas it sheds the leaves for a<br />
short time.<br />
Part used Fruit / Seed / leaves / bark.<br />
Uses and Economic<br />
returns:<br />
The various parts of <strong>Strychnos</strong> <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong> <strong>L<strong>in</strong>n</strong>. are<br />
recommended for upset stomach, vomit<strong>in</strong>g, abdom<strong>in</strong>al pa<strong>in</strong>,<br />
constipation, <strong>in</strong>test<strong>in</strong>al irritation, hangovers, heartburn,<br />
<strong>in</strong>somnia, certa<strong>in</strong> heart diseases, eye diseases, depression,<br />
migra<strong>in</strong>e headaches, nervous disorders, problems related to<br />
menopause <strong>in</strong> women, and respiratory diseases <strong>in</strong> the elderly.<br />
In folk medic<strong>in</strong>e, it is used as a heal<strong>in</strong>g to<strong>nic</strong> and appetite
stimulant. Nux-<strong>vomica</strong> is a common homeopathic medic<strong>in</strong>e<br />
prescribed for digestive problems, sensitivity to cold, and<br />
irritability. It improves the pulse and raises blood pressure and<br />
is of great value as a to<strong>nic</strong> to the circulatory system <strong>in</strong> cardiac<br />
failure. It is used <strong>in</strong> pruritis and as a local anodyne <strong>in</strong><br />
<strong>in</strong>flammations of the external ear. The powdered seeds are<br />
employed <strong>in</strong> ato<strong>nic</strong> dyspepsia. The leaves are applied as a<br />
poultice on wounds and ulcers.<br />
Flower<strong>in</strong>g: The flowers are small with a pale green color and are funnel<br />
shaped. They bloom <strong>in</strong> the cold season and produce a foul<br />
smell.<br />
Seed / Fruit<br />
collection:<br />
Collection method:<br />
Seed extraction / presow<strong>in</strong>g<br />
treatment:<br />
Seed storage:<br />
Nursery techniques /<br />
propagation<br />
The fruits are about the size of a<br />
large apple with a smooth and<br />
hard shell which when ripened is<br />
of a lovely orange color. The fruit<br />
is soft and white with a jelly-like<br />
pulp conta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g five seeds<br />
embedded <strong>in</strong> and covered with a<br />
soft woolly substance.<br />
Manual collection by hand<br />
pick<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
The seeds are removed from the fruit when ripe. They are<br />
then cleaned, dried and sorted. The seeds have the shape of<br />
a flattened disk completely covered with hairs radiat<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
the center of the sides. This gives the seeds a very<br />
characteristic sheen. The seeds are very hard, with a dark<br />
gray horny endosperm where the small embryo is housed that<br />
gives off no odour but possess a very bitter taste.<br />
In gunny bags or conta<strong>in</strong>ers up to 2-3 months<br />
Germ<strong>in</strong>ation and regeneration of this species is very poor.<br />
Presently this species is rarely seen <strong>in</strong> the forests and has<br />
been <strong>in</strong>cluded <strong>in</strong> the list of endangered species. There is acute<br />
shortage of seeds and seedl<strong>in</strong>gs of S. <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong>.<br />
TFRI, Jabalpur (2009) has recommended that 72 hrs soak<strong>in</strong>g<br />
of seeds <strong>in</strong> cow dung slurry gives maximum 88% germ<strong>in</strong>ation.
Silviculture / Plant<strong>in</strong>g<br />
techniques:<br />
Harvest<strong>in</strong>g /<br />
Extraction:<br />
Special th<strong>in</strong>g to<br />
mention:<br />
Seeds are broadcasted <strong>in</strong> raised beds after treatment.<br />
Germ<strong>in</strong>ated seeds pricked out <strong>in</strong> polybags. In the vegetative<br />
propagation cutt<strong>in</strong>gs or root suckers after from the basal end<br />
are pricked out and transplanted <strong>in</strong> polybags.<br />
One year old sapl<strong>in</strong>gs planted <strong>in</strong> field <strong>in</strong> 60 cm deep pits.<br />
Fruits, leaves and bark of moderate aged trees are collected.<br />
<strong>Strychnos</strong> <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong> <strong>L<strong>in</strong>n</strong>. is a powerful poison <strong>in</strong> large<br />
doses, produc<strong>in</strong>g tita<strong>nic</strong> convulsions and eventually death. In<br />
comparatively lesser doses it may result <strong>in</strong> mental<br />
derangement. In the <strong>in</strong>digenous medic<strong>in</strong>e, it is used as a<br />
to<strong>nic</strong>, stimulant and febrifuge and its preparations are<br />
prescribed for nervous disorders. In Konkan, small doses of<br />
the seeds are given with aromatics <strong>in</strong> colic In Cambodia seeds<br />
are used as an emetic. They are also used <strong>in</strong> the preparation<br />
of medicated products for hair and scalp.<br />
<strong>Strychnos</strong> <strong>nux</strong>-<strong>vomica</strong> seeds conta<strong>in</strong> an effective<br />
mammalian poisons called Strychn<strong>in</strong>e and Bruc<strong>in</strong>e and at<br />
present they are used more as a poison than as a drug. It is<br />
also useful as an <strong>in</strong>secticide to kill verm<strong>in</strong> <strong>in</strong> fields. Nux-<br />
<strong>vomica</strong> seeds are often adulterated with the seeds of S.<br />
potatorum, S. <strong>nux</strong>-blanda, etc.<br />
Two candidate plus trees have been identified by the research<br />
w<strong>in</strong>g at Malgaon site of Dodamarg Research Range. Sapl<strong>in</strong>gs<br />
are be<strong>in</strong>g prepared by Dodamarg Resesach Range.