Woorari

Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. Nux vomica is an energetic poison, exerting its influence chiefly upon the cerebro-spinal system; it affects the spinal cord principally, because the division of this cord does not prevent its poisonous influence, and, again, because when the cord is destroyed by the introduction of a piece of whalebone into the spinal canal, the convulsions immediately cease.

Specific Indications and Uses. Atonic states; tongue pallid and expressionless, uncoated, or coated with a pasty-yellowish coat; yellowness of the conjunctiva; yellow or sallow countenance, and yellowish or sallow line around the mouth; fullness and dull pain in the right hypochondrium; pain in shoulder, colicky pains pointing to the umbilicus; menstrual colic; constipation; diarrhoea of atony; functional forms of paralysis.

History and Description. The nux vomica tree inhabits India, along the Coromandel coast, Ceylon, and other parts of the East Indies. The wood is exceedingly bitter, especially that of the root, which is said to cure intermittent fevers and bites of venomous snakes.

Preparations: Extract of Nux Vomica - Fluid Extract of Nux Vomica - Tincture of Nux Vomica Related entries: Ignatia: Ignatia - Strychnina (U. S. P.): Strychnine - Strychninae Sulphas (U. S. P.): Strychnine Sulphate - Curare: Woorari - Physostigma (U. S. P.): Physostigma: arrow poison - Strophanthus (U. S. P.): Strophanthus "The seed of Strychnos Nux vomica, Linné" ... (U. S. P.). Nat. Ord: Loganiaceae. COMMON NAMES: Nux vomica, Nux vomica seed, Quaker buttons, Poison nut (Semen nucis vomicae). ILLUSTRATION: Bentley and Trimen, Med. Plants, 178.