Medicinally nux vomica mainly refers to the mature seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, which is a plant in the family Loganiaceae. So, other names include poison nut, Nux-Vomica Seeds, Semen Strychni, strychni semen, Quaker buttons, Strychnos Seed, Semen Strychni Nux-vomicae, and so on. The former one is mainly cultivated or uncultivated in India, Vietnam, Myanmar, Thailand and other places. It is usually harvested in winter when the fruits are ripe. After then it needs to remove the flesh, take the seeds, dry in the sun, and process in order to reduce toxic.

NUX VOMICA BENEFITS 
As previously mentioned, this poisonous herb can be also a good medicine for some life-threatening illnesses. (1) The plaster, composed of semen strychni 1g, camphor powder 0.3g, and white wax 4g, can be used for the facial paralysis treatment. The common usage is to paste it on the nerve trunk area in front of the ear lobe in affected side, once every 4 days. Among the 100 cases, 98 cases were cured, and 2 cases were improved after 4 to 32 days of treatment. (2). After treated with Feng Tong San, made of equivalent semen strychni and Ma Huang (Ephedra), the relief was provided in 35 out of 58 cases of chronic rheumatic arthritis, 9 out of 16 cases of chronic rheumatoid arthritis, 3 out of 5 cases of chronic hypertrophic arthritis, and 13 out of 24 cases of general joint pain. (3). 100 cases of neurodermatitis were cured by the preparation of soaking semen strychni 3g and Mi Tuo Seng (lithargite) 3g in 200ml saponated cresol solution. (4). This herb can be also used for the treatment of tinea pedis and manuum, trigeminal neuralgia, myasthenia gravis, respiratory muscle paralysis, Chronic Bronchitis, Schizophrenia, Epilepsy, shoulder periarthritis, and so on.

Nux Vomica

SELECTED STRYCHNOS SEED RECIPES ON HERBAL REMEDIES 
According to Chinese Pharmacopoeia, it is bitter in flavor and warm and extremely poisonous in nature. It goes to meridians of liver and spleen. Basic functions are activating meridians to stop pain and removing stasis to reduce swelling. Fundamental nux vomica uses and indications include rheumatism and obstinate arthralgia, numbness, paralysis, traumatic injury, ulcer and swelling, post-polio syndrome, and rheumatoid arthritis joint pain. Recommended dosage is from 0.3 to 0.6 grams in pills or power. Attention please, before the use it should be processed to reduce the toxicity. Generally the strychnine and brucine content can be significantly reduced by stir-baking in sand, frying in oil, boiling along with licorice, and other heating methods.

1. Jiu Fen San from Ji Jiu Ying Yan Liang Fang (Confirmed Effective Prescription for Emergency). It is combined with Ma Huang (Ephedra), Ru Xiang (Frankincense), and Mo Yao (Myrrh) for trauma, fracture, swelling and pain.

2. Ma Qian San from Jiu Sheng Ku Hai (Saving Lives from Abyss of Misery). It is equipped with Shan Zhi Ma (Narrowleaf Screwtree Root), Frankincense, and Chuan Shan Jia (Pangolin Scales) for the treatment of initial period of ulcer, external and internal injuries, and wandering arthritis.

3. Fan Mu Bie San from Yi Fang Zhai Yao (The Summary of Medical Prescriptions). It is formulated with Qing Mu Xiang (Radix Aristolochiae), Shan Dou Gen (Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis), etc., to cure carbuncle and sore throat.