Strychnos nux vomica L. (Fam. Loganiacee)
Arboreal plant about 12 meters high, native to the tropical areas of Asia and also present in northern Australia. The name nux vomica derives from two Latin words, combined to indicate a "nut that causes vomiting".
The vomica walnut was introduced into Europe by the Arabs in the sixteenth century and was quickly used in the elimination of troublesome animals (cats, dogs, foxes, rodents). The drug is particularly toxic to humans, so much so that it is already deadly at doses of between 30 and 90 mg. However, if used at very low concentrations it turns from poison into a medicament, useful for its eupeptic (facilitates digestion) and stimulating properties (it awakens the appetite and fights asthenia). For this reason the vomica nut is particularly used in the homeopathic field. However, it is essential to use a lot of caution, as the healing effects occur in doses very close to the toxic ones.
Strychnine is a substance with marked excitatory effects on the nervous system, where it acts by promoting a selective block of inhibitory processes. By eliminating these brakes, strychnine and the drugs that contain it (walnut vomica and St Ignatius fava) produce convulsions: the voluntary muscles contract violently and large pressure surges arise. Death occurs due to respiratory arrest (asphyxia), due to the contraction of the diaphragm and the thoracic and abdominal muscles.
