Nux vomica
Dutch: Braaknootboom
French: Vomiquier; Noix vomique
Gertman: Brechnussbaum; Strychninbaum scary: Nux vomica
Important ingredients:
The most important alkaloids are strychnine and brucine. There are also numerous ancillary alkaloids.
Strychnine activity:
Strychnine stimulates the central nervous system and strengthens sensory functions. Strychnine activity at the injection level results in an unhindered and thus enhanced transfer of endogenous and exogenous stimuli to the receptor pathways. At high or toxic doses, this can lead to tetanic convulsions and death from respiratory paralysis.
The alkaloid brucine possesses only one-fifth of the activity of strychnine.
Source: Van Hellemont, Phytotherapeutic Compendium, Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema, 9, second edition)