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Other common
name(s): nux vomica, poison nut, Quaker buttons,
strychnine tree, ma qian zi (also written maqianzi)
Scientific/medical
name(s): Strychnos
nux-vomica
Description
Strychnos
nux-vomica is the name of an evergreen tree native to
southeast Asia, especially India and Myanmar, and cultivated elsewhere.
Its dried seeds or beans, and sometimes its bark (called nux vomica) are
used in herbal remedies. The seeds contain organic substances,
strychnine and brucine, that are used in herbal remedies.
Overview
Available scientific evidence does not support claims that Strychnos nux-vomica
is effective in treating cancer, relieving the side effects of
conventional cancer treatment, or in treating any other conditions. The
chemicals in the seeds are poisonous and may cause convulsions and
death.
How is it promoted for use?
In herbal medicine, Strychnos
nux-vomica is recommended for liver cancer, upset stomach,
vomiting, abdominal pain, constipation, intestinal irritation,
hangovers, heartburn, insomnia, certain heart diseases, circulatory
problems, eye diseases, depression, migraine headaches, nervous
conditions, problems related to menopause, and respiratory diseases in
the elderly. In folk medicine, it is used as a healing tonic and
appetite stimulant. Strychnos
nux-vomica is used in Chinese herbal medicine to unblock
channels and obstructions, reduce swelling, alleviate pain, and to
treat abscesses and yin-type ulcers. In traditional Chinese treatment
of cancer, it can be used in combination with other herbs.
What does it involve?
The seeds of the Strychnos
nux-vomica tree are removed from the ripened berries of
the tree and dried in the sun. Sometimes they are heated or further
processed, which may reduce the amount of poison in the seeds. Various
herbal preparations are made from the dried seeds, including tablets,
liquid extracts, and tinctures. Some practitioners use single dosages
that range from 20 milligrams to 1 gram. Homeopathic dilutions are also
made (see Homeopathy),
which contain little, if any, of the actual seeds.
What is the history behind it?
Strychnos
nux-vomica is one of the ingredients used, in small
amounts, in traditional Chinese herbal treatments for liver cancer and
numerous other health problems. Native tribes in Central and South
America have also used extracts from this plant for centuries as a
medicine to inhibit muscle contractions and as a poison for the tips of
arrows. Some physicians used Strychnos
nux-vomica in the treatment of stomach cancer in the late
nineteenth century. It was given to patients to induce vomiting, which
was felt to help relieve the patient's discomfort.
Strychnos
nux-vomica is still used as an active ingredient in pest
control products, in gopher bait, and in some rat poisons. Today, it is
rare to find any form other than the homeopathic preparation
recommended for human treatment.
What is the evidence?
Strychnos
nux-vomica has not been proven effective for the treatment
of any illness. Since the seeds contain strychnine, which is poisonous
to humans, conventional medical practitioners do not recommend it as a
medicine. Some research has shown that the level of poison in nux
vomica preparations may depend greatly on how the seeds are processed.
The herbal remedy is on the Commission E (Germany’s
regulatory agency for herbs) list of unapproved herbs, meaning it is
not recommended for use because it has not been proven to be safe or
effective.
There is no clinical trial evidence of effectiveness as a
cancer treatment reported in peer-reviewed English-language journals.
Some Chinese studies have reported that Strychnos nux-vomica
can kill cancer cells grown in laboratory dishes.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
Strychnine, one of the substances in the seeds of the nux
vomica tree, is a poison that, in doses of 5 milligrams or more (as
little as one seed), can cause anxiety, restlessness, painful
convulsions of the body, breathing difficulties, and even death from
suffocation or exhaustion. Long-term intake of even small amounts of
strychnine can cause liver damage. This herb should be avoided,
especially by women who are pregnant or breast-feeding. Relying on this
type of treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical
care for cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Blumenthal M, ed. The
Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal
Medicines. Austin, TX: American Botanical Council; 1998.
Cai BC, Hattori M, Namba T. Processing of nux vomica. II.
Changes in alkaloid composition of the seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica on
traditional drug-processing. Chem
Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 1990;38:1295-1298.
Cai BC, Wang TS, Kurokawa M, Shiraki K, Hattori M.
Cytotoxicities of alkaloids from processed and unprocessed seeds of
Strychnos nux-vomica. Zhongguo
Yao Li Xue Bao 1998;19:425-428.
Chan TY. Herbal medicine causing likely strychnine poisoning. Hum Exp Toxicol.
2002;21:467-468.
Chu JHK. Ma qian zi, fan mu bie. Complementary and Alternative
Healing University Web site.
http://alternativehealing.org/ma_qian_zi.htm. Accessed August 6, 2008.
Deng X, Yin F, Lu X, Cai B, Yin W. The apoptotic effect of
brucine from the seed of Strychnos nux-vomica on human hepatoma cells
is mediated via Bcl-2 and Ca2+ involved mitochondrial pathway. Toxicol Sci.
2006;91:59-69.
Gruenwald J. PDR
for Herbal Medicines. 3rd ed. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR;
2004.
Ma qian zi. Chinese Medicine Tools Web site.
http://www.chinesemedicinetools.com/ma-qian-zi. Accessed August 6,
2008.
Wang Z, Zhao J, Xing J, He Y, Guo D. Analysis of strychnine
and brucine in postmortem specimens by RP-HPLC: a case report of fatal
intoxication. J Anal
Toxicol. 2004;28:141-144.
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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