A brief review on Nux vomica: A panacea homoeopathic remedy

INTRODUCTION

Strychnos nux-vomica is a polychrest remedy in Homoeopathy; it has been used widely for various ailments in the homoeopathic system of medicine, including alcoholism, anger effects of, colic, constipation, dyspepsia, gastrodynia, haemorrhoids, tea and tobacco habit, insomnia, nightmares and lumbago. Nux vomica is one among the most prescribed homoeopathic medicines in general clinical practice.^[1] Although it has a wide range of traditional uses from the homoeopathic point of view, research regarding most of these therapeutic uses has not reached the level of clinical trials. In fact, the current state of knowledge pertaining to Nux vomica research has not been consolidated. An animal study by Sukul et al. demonstrated for the 1^st time the in vivo antidotal potential for Nux vomica.^[2] This has led to a series of studies exploring the various beneficial uses of this remedy.

Nux vomica is an accessible and economical homoeopathic medicine that not only targets a wide range of chronic diseases with fewer side effects compared to conventional allopathic treatment but also has the ability to tackle acute diseases. To enable more directed future studies on this medicine, consolidation of scientific research with convergence between results and homoeopathic Materia Medica and possible gaps in the knowledge needs to be addressed.

The present review aims to consolidate the traditional homoeopathic uses of Nux vomica and current state of scientific proof available on Google Scholar and PubMed from January 1980 to December 2018 on the homoeopathic uses of Nux vomica. We hope that the findings of this study will encourage its clinical use for different diseases as an economical adjunct and identify areas of future research for this medicine as an alternative therapeutic agent for various ailments.

FOLK AND TRADITIONAL MEDICINAL USES

In homoeopathy, Nux vomica is reported to be useful in the treatment of alcoholism, effects of anger, colic, constipation, dyspepsia, gastrodynia, haemorrhoids, tea and tobacco habit, insomnia, nightmares and lumbago.^[3] Nux vomica is known to affect the grey matter of the cerebrospinal nervous system. Homoeopathy is a holistic treatment mainly based on selection of the individualised similimum remedy.^[4] Nux vomica is frequently the first remedy prescribed in homoeopathy after extensive treatment. It establishes equilibrium by its antidotal effects on large doses of various medications and by neutralising their chronic effects.^[5]

Nux vomica is frequently used for ailments caused by a sedentary lifestyle. The characteristic features of Nux vomica patient are thin body, quick actions, nervousness, activeness and irritability. Mental strains, sedentary lifestyle, excessive studying and prolonged office work are some of the causative factors. To keep up with the excessive work, people often require higher quantities of stimulants such as tea, coffee and wine. Therefore, Nux vomica has excessive desire for tea, coffee and wine. The excessive stimulant use causes over excitement, which then requires sedatives. The patient indulges in tobacco or opium. Nux vomica patient desires rich and spicy food and is involved in wine and women to forget their demanding routine. All these factors cause heavy head, digestive complaints and irritability. The digestive complaints are usually constipation that requires laxatives; the patient develops a tolerance for laxatives, leading to further complications. These ailments and weaknesses are more common in men than women; Nux vomica is, therefore, mainly considered a male remedy. Nux vomica patient has an enthusiastic, fiery, irritable nature; patients are strongly chilly and open air increases their complaints.^[6] The characteristics of Nux vomica are the irritable nature, quarrelsomeness, short temper and competitiveness.^[7]

According to Kent, Nux vomica patient is an old dyspeptic who is hungry, lean, withered, prematurely aged and bent forward. He craves tonics, pungent and bitter things. The digestive power of the stomach is weak; after meals, there is pain in the stomach, the stomach sinks in, causing nausea and retching. Intense fever and sweat, heat and sweat are often intermingled. Fever is attended with digestive troubles. Moreover, Nux vomica has the power to enable the patient to quit the habit of taking stimulants and wine.^[8]

PROVED PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS

OTHER PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS

Whitmarsh et al. randomised 63 patients with migraine and individually prescribed one of 11 remedies: Nux vomica, Bryonia, Belladonna, Iris versicolor, Lachesis, Kalium bichromatium, Natrium muriaticum, Sepia, Sanguinaria, Silicea or Sulphur (all in 30C potencies). Nux vomica and other remedies proved to be active in declining migraine frequency.^[29,30] Nux vomica showed positive effects on larval and shell weight, silk ratio and breakages during reeling of silk worm (Bombyx mori) that were nourished on mulberry leaves. Nux vomica tincture was found to help in fortification of leaves with nutrients; thus, the quality and quantity of silk can be increased after treating mulberry leaves with Nux vomica.^[31]

Nux vomica 10C prepared in ethanol was found to significantly inhibit Helicobacter pylori-induced gene expression by acting on heparin-binding epidermal growth factor gene expression in KATO-III cells.^[32]

A randomised, blinded clinical trial showed the effectiveness of homoeopathic medicines in treating adenoid vegetation in young children who were recommended surgery. Nux vomica 200C was one of the medications used in this study.^[33] In a Japanese study, atopic dermatitis was successfully treated with homoeopathic medicines; Nux vomica was one of the most frequently prescribed remedies.^[34]

CONCLUSION

Nux vomica is a panacea that is used traditionally in homoeopathy. Various studies on Nux vomica have supported its traditional uses, especially its anti-alcoholic effects. Other researches have described its efficacy in various clinical conditions, including fever, pock-like lesions and Reiter’s disease. Further research studies are required to explore its traditional uses in other diseases. Clinical trials should be performed to confirm its anti-alcoholic effects presented in several animal trials.