THE ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL CHIEF

CONSERVATOR OF FORESTS

(RESEARCH, EDUCATION & TRAINING)

MAHARASHTRA (PUNE)

PRIORITISED PLANTS BROCHURE

Strychnos nux-vomica Linn.

(kuchla)

Name and taxonomy: Scientific name : Family: Common Name: Threat status: Trade name:

Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. Loganiaceae Kajra (Marathi), Kuchla (Hindi), Nux-vomica, Poison Nut, Snake-wood, Strychnine Tree (English) Rare Nux-vomica, Kuchla.

Habit:

It is a medium-sized tree with a short thick trunk usually 10-13 m high and 0.9-1.8 m in girth. In favourable conditions, trees can grow as high as 25-30 m. attaining a girth of 2-2.5 m. The wood is hard, white and close-grained. The branches are irregular and are covered with a smooth ash coloured bark. The young shoots are of a deep green color with a shiny coat. The leaves have an opposite arrangement, short stalked and are oval shaped, with shiny coat and are glabrous on both sides. The leaves are about 6-10 cm long and 3-6 cm wide.

Distribution, Habitat and Climatic conditions:

The plant is distributed in semi evergreen and moist deciduous forests of Maharashtra spreading across Konkan, Sahyadri foot hills of Western Ghats up to altitudes of 360 m). The tree is found growing in region where maximum temperature varies from 35 to 45 celsius and minimum temperature varies from 4 to 18 celsius, and where rain fall ranges from 750 to 3750 mm. The tree is shade bearer, growing under a moderate canopy even in semi-evergreen forests. It produces root suckers and is free from damage by browsing, as animal (except goats) avoid it. In moist forest, the tree is evergreen, but in dry areas it sheds the leaves for a short time.

Part used Fruit / Seed / leaves / bark.

Uses and Economic returns:

The various parts of Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. are recommended for upset stomach, vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal irritation, hangovers, heartburn, insomnia, certain heart diseases, eye diseases, depression, migraine headaches, nervous disorders, problems related to menopause in women, and respiratory diseases in the elderly. In folk medicine, it is used as a healing tonic and appetite

stimulant. Nux-vomica is a common homeopathic medicine prescribed for digestive problems, sensitivity to cold, and irritability. It improves the pulse and raises blood pressure and is of great value as a tonic to the circulatory system in cardiac failure. It is used in pruritis and as a local anodyne in inflammations of the external ear. The powdered seeds are employed in atonic dyspepsia. The leaves are applied as a poultice on wounds and ulcers.

Flowering: The flowers are small with a pale green color and are funnel shaped. They bloom in the cold season and produce a foul smell.

Seed / Fruit collection: Collection method:

The fruits are about the size of a

large apple with a smooth and

hard shell which when ripened is

of a lovely orange color. The fruit

is soft and white with a jelly-like

pulp containing five seeds

embedded in and covered with a

soft woolly substance.

Manual collection by hand picking.

Seed extraction / pre-sowing treatment: Seed storage:

The seeds are removed from the fruit when ripe. They are

then cleaned, dried and sorted. The seeds have the shape of

a flattened disk completely covered with hairs radiating from

the center of the sides. This gives the seeds a very

characteristic sheen. The seeds are very hard, with a dark

gray horny endosperm where the small embryo is housed that

gives off no odour but possess a very bitter taste.

In gunny bags or containers up to 2-3 months

Nursery techniques / propagation

Germination and regeneration of this species is very poor. Presently this species is rarely seen in the forests and has been included in the list of endangered species. There is acute shortage of seeds and seedlings of S. nux-vomica. TFRI, Jabalpur (2009) has recommended that 72 hrs soaking of seeds in cow dung slurry gives maximum 88% germination.

Seeds are broadcasted in raised beds after treatment. Germinated seeds pricked out in polybags. In the vegetative propagation cuttings or root suckers after from the basal end are pricked out and transplanted in polybags.

Silviculture / Planting techniques:

One year old saplings planted in field in 60 cm deep pits.

Harvesting / Extraction:

Fruits, leaves and bark of moderate aged trees are collected.

Special thing to mention:

Strychnos nux-vomica Linn. is a powerful poison in large doses, producing titanic convulsions and eventually death. In comparatively lesser doses it may result in mental derangement. In the indigenous medicine, it is used as a tonic, stimulant and febrifuge and its preparations are prescribed for nervous disorders. In Konkan, small doses of the seeds are given with aromatics in colic In Cambodia seeds are used as an emetic. They are also used in the preparation of medicated products for hair and scalp.

Strychnos nux-vomica seeds contain an effective mammalian poisons called Strychnine and Brucine and at present they are used more as a poison than as a drug. It is also useful as an insecticide to kill vermin in fields. Nux- vomica seeds are often adulterated with the seeds of S. potatorum, S. nux-blanda, etc. Two candidate plus trees have been identified by the research wing at Malgaon site of Dodamarg Research Range. Saplings are being prepared by Dodamarg Resesach Range.