Ashwini (Nakshtra) Kuchala (Tree)

  • Name – Kuchla
  • Botanical name – Strychnos nux-vomica
  • English name – Nux Vomica
  • Family – Loganiaceae
  • Synonyms – Kupilu,Vishatinduka,kaka Tinduka,Kakapiluka,Garadruma,Karaskra.
  • Vernacular name –
  • English – Nux Vomica
  • Hindi – Kuchala,Kuchila,Kupilu

Description

  • Morphology – It is perennial deciduous tree grows upto 100 ft. In height.                                                               

.Tree has sharp & strong axillary spines

.Bark- Thin,gray smooth or rough with lenticels

.leaves-Opposite,broadly elliptica,acute tip,glabrous & shining,the base is usually rounded & the petiole is 0.5 to 1cm long.

. InflorescenceTerminal pedunculate pubescent compound cymes.

.Flowers- Greenish white, numerous,short pedicel,pubescent corolla in 5 lobed

glabrous.

  • Properties –
    • Rasa- katu,tikta
    • Guna- Laghu
    • Veerya-Ushna
    • Vipaka-katu
  • Part used – Seed is the most used part of this herb.Rarely root and bark is also used.
  • Dosage – Seed power below 30 mg.
  • Pharmacological action – stomachic, digestive, nervine tonic, anti-hematic, aphrodisiac, analgesic, anti-colic, antipyretic, astringent, stimulant, anti-dermatosis, and anthelmintic.
  • Uses-The bark and the seeds are used in the treatment of-

          . bloating , gastritis , heartburn & nausea

          .male infertility , premature ejaculation & impotence

          .back pain

          .stress or mental strain

          . headaches especially migraine

          . menstrual problems

          . Insomnia                

          . Sciatica

          . Vertigo & dizziness

          . Trigeminal neuroglia

          .wife range of neuroglia disorders

  • Formulation – seeds of nux vomica is soaked in cow’s urine for 7 days,then cooked with cow’s milk and fried in cow’s ghee. Seeds from mature fruits are kept in the vessel filled with kanji for 3 days,later the seeds are dehusked & dried in sunlight .then it is powdered.
  • Major chemical constituents – Brucine,strychnine & vomicine,mahine & Novocine, Strychnine & isostychine,Cuchiloside loganic acid,etc.
  • Antidote- Paribhadra