Gelsemium sempervirens L.
Loganiaceae: pharmacology
Strychnos nux vomica L.
Ignatia amara L.
Lat: Jasminum luteum doorhalm Ned: fragrant yellow jasmine Fra.: Jasmin Sauvage
Gelber Jasmin.
Woodbine
Uses pantendeel in phototherapy: root.
Main ingredients:
Indolalkaloids: gelsemine, gelsemicine, sempervirine, gelsidine, delivery. Furthermore, fatty and essential oils.
The action of the indolalkaloids is expressed at the level of the central nervous system, which is initially stimulated and then depressed at the Plant seminar, Part 2, 24-25 May 2002, © HAU, Stichting Alonnissos
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..is going to be more than one. Toxic doses lead to death from respiratory paralysis.
Semperverine and gelsemine cause strychnine cramps.
Gelsemicin is the most toxic alkaloid. It stimulates the breathing centre, the intestine, lowers blood pressure, and causes mydriasis. After a short period of stimulation, the gesemium alkaloids cause a state of paralysis.
The intoxication symptoms are for small overdoses: mydriasis, facial weakness, drooping of the eyelids, asthenia and depression. Higher overdose rates are caused by general weakness and a reduction in wrist and respiratory frequency.
(Source: Le Strange, Chronicle of Herbal Medicine, Strengholt,92)
Loganiaceae
Most of the plants of this genus of woody, climbing shrubs and trees are found in the tropical regions of America and Asia.
Strychnos nux vomica
Strychnos nuxvomica belongs to the poisonous species.
Natural habitat: India. However, it is also found in the wild in Australia and Malaysia.
From the dried seeds one extracts the alkaloids strychnine and brucine, as well as the glucoside loganine, a trace of copper and caffeine tannic acid. (Van Hellemont makes no mention of loganin and copper.)
In the 9th century, the plant was prescribed as a medicinal herb in tinctures and liquid extracts from the seeds ground into powder, in very small quantities, and often mixed with other medicines. This is because of its tonic, bitter and stimulating properties for cases of atonic dyspepsia, neuralgia, weakness, impotence, constipation, ear infections, and as a heart-strengthening agent. Also for paralysis and nerve disorders.
Although the plant was known before the e century, it was hardly used at that time. It was used to poison cats, dogs, crows, and ravens.
The seeds of this plant were once considered beneficial against cholera, and further prescribed for all kinds of nervous disorders.