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Poison Nut (Kuchla / Vishamushti)

Strychnos nux-vomica

କୋଚିଳା (Kochila)कुचला (Kuchla)Vishamushti
Family
Loganiaceae
Origin
Tropical Asia
Plant Type
Tree
Habitat
Outdoor

About the Plant

Medium evergreen tree with dark-grey smooth bark; opposite broadly ovate leaves with 3-5 prominent nerves, greenish-white tubular flowers, and orange-red disc-seeded berries.

Traditional Uses

Paralysis, neuromuscular weakness, sciatica, and loss of appetite (purified)

Parts Used

Processed seeds, bark, leaves

Ayurvedic Properties

  • Rasa: Tikta, Katu
  • Guna: Laghu, Ruksha, Teekshna
  • Virya: Ushna
  • Vipaka: Katu

Health Benefits

  • Stimulates nervous reflexes, treats paralysis, and cures facial palsy (processed)

Precautions

Extremely poisonous; contains strychnine and brucine; lethal if unprocessed; requires strict Shodhana

Interesting Facts

Strychnine is one of the bitterest substances known, detectable by human taste at 1 part in 700,000