Abstract

KUCHALA; A MIRACLE REMEDY OR POISON NUT - A REVIEW

Dr. Paras Gupta*, Dr. Ramesh Chandra Tiwari, Dr. Bhawana Mittal, Dr. Manisha Dikshit and Dr. Ved Bhushan Sharma

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Abstract

Strychnos nux-vomica, commonly known as kuchala, (Loganiaceae- Family) is a widely distributed poisonous plant but it is used in many medicinal preparations of ayurveda and other allied medicinal pathies. It is included in Surasadi Gana in Sushruta , Amradi Phala Varga in Bhavaprakash and Vishatindukadi Varga in Nighantu Adarsh. The traditional medicinal component is its seed, called nux-vomica. Kuchala is well known for its anti-phlegmatic effect, nerve tonic and stimulant properties which makes it an important drug in treatment of insomnia, epilepsy, paralysis, nocturnal incontinence of urine, impotence etc. Many compounds including alkaloids, flavonoid glycosides, triterpenoids, steroids and organic acids have been isolated and identified from Strychnos nux-vomica. These compounds have analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, antimicrobial effect and regulates the immune function. Strychnine, the principal toxic compound is used in medicine as a stimulant & also as a rodenticidal agent.

Keywords: Kuchala, Nux-vomica, Ayurveda, Insomnia, Strychnine.