The vomit tree grows in tropical and subtropical climates. Its other name is chilibuha. This plant is extremely poisonous. Emetic seeds contain the alkaloid strychnine, which gives them a bitter taste. This toxic substance has a negative effect on the central nervous system, leading to disturbances in its work. Therefore, chilibukha-based products are recommended to be taken under the strict supervision of a doctor.
Short description
The vomit is a tropical tree reaching a height of 5-15 m. Its trunk is curved and thick. There are thorns on the young chilibuha. The leaves of the plant are petiolate, opposite, ovate-elliptical with arcuate venation, having a pointed apex.
Small flowers of emetic nut are collected in apical semi-umbels, they are five-membered with a double perianth. At the same time, their corolla is grape-shaped. The fruit of the chilibukha is large, 3-5.5 cm in diameter, is a spherical orange-red berry, similar to an orange. It has a hard rind, and inside contains a colorlessgelatinous pulp. In addition, the berry contains flattened, disc-shaped and rounded seeds, which are covered with numerous transparent white hairs. Emetic is Latin for "nasty nut".
Collecting and harvesting chilibukha
For therapeutic purposes, it is customary to harvest the seeds of the emetic nut, the fruits of which are harvested during their ripening. This period falls on October-November. Seeds from berries are extracted by long boiling of the latter. Only high-quality specimens are left, rotten and unripe ones are thrown out. Raw materials with a silky-shiny surface, gray-yellowish color, 1.5–2 cm in diameter, are suitable for harvesting. Then the seeds are sent to dry in a special device at a temperature not exceeding 60 degrees. Store the emetic nut in a dry form for no more than two years. It is best to put it in the refrigerator.
What does the plant contain?
For the preparation of medicines, as a rule, chilibukha kernels are used. The emetic nut (in Latin Strychnos Nux vomica) is valued precisely for its seeds. They contain indole alkaloids (2 - 3%), consisting of strychnine, as well as brucine. In addition, in a small amount in the kernels of chilibukha there are:
- pseudostrychnine;
- triterpenoid;
- β-colubrine;
- α-colubrine;
- vomycin, which affects the gastrointestinal tract;
- loganin;
- chlorogenic acid;
- stigmasterin;
- strucsin.
More found in them:
- galactan, which is a complex polysaccharide;
- palmitin;
- oleic crude acid;
- mannan - plant polysaccharide;
Poisonous alkaloids are found not only in walnut seeds, but also in leaves, flowers and bark, however, in smaller quantities. Chilibukha, or emetic nut, contains the most poisonous and bitter substance in the world - strychnine. This alkaloid is more dangerous than potassium cyanide. For humans, 0.3 grams of strychnine is lethal, it is used as a pesticide. It is a very toxic substance, so it is not used in its pure form.
Strychnine nitrate is poorly soluble in water. This substance is in the form of a white crystalline powder or shiny needles. When swallowed, a person experiences severe convulsions and increased reflexes, since strychnine negatively affects the sensory and motor apparatus of the spinal cord.
Another alkaloid raises blood pressure. In case of an overdose of such a substance, uncontrolled muscle spasms are observed, which leads to exhaustion of the body or cardiac arrest. Such contractions can be too strong, causing the muscles to separate from the bones, leaving the unfortunate body in a twisted position.
If symptoms begin to appear quickly during poisoning, then immediate help is needed: aggressive and surgical treatment, otherwise the person will not survive. In its absence, death after an overdose of strychnine occurs in about 10–20minutes.
The chilibukha seeds also contain the alkaloid brucine. This chemical reagent is known as an analeptic that causes convulsive movements of the legs and arms, excites the nervous system, and enhances the perception of light and sound. The substance is less poisonous than strychnine.
Healing properties of chilibukha
Originally, poisonous emetic was used to induce vomiting in case of indigestion or poisoning. Then, with the development of medicine, it began to be used to treat certain ailments.
In neurology, medicines from this plant are prescribed to patients during the rehabilitation period after paresis and paralysis, as they stimulate the central nervous system.
Preparations from chilibukha are used for disorders of the visual analyzer (deterioration of the quality of vision) and diseases of the hearing apparatus. Also, funds based on emetic are prescribed in allergology to eliminate the following ailments:
- food allergies;
- atopic dermatitis (chronic inflammation of the skin);
- allergic rhinitis;
- urticaria.
It is useful to take medicines from such a plant for pathologies of the digestive organs. They help with intestinal atony - deterioration of motility and peristalsis, loss of tone. Strychnine helps to eliminate atonic constipation and normalize the frequency of rectal emptying. Vomiting agents increase appetite and restore the functional activity of the stomach.
Chilibuha has tonic properties: normalizesblood circulation and improves the condition of blood vessels. The seeds of this plant are also indicated for the exhaustion of the body, fatigue, constant fatigue, impotence and low blood pressure. Emetic preparations help in the fight against chronic alcoholism.
According to some reports, this plant is able to stop the growth of cancer cells in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the oncoprotective effect has not been scientifically proven.
Benefits of pharmacy tincture of chilibukha
Those who wish to use the plant for medicinal purposes can purchase a ready-made tincture. It is made from the extract of emetic nut, dissolved in alcohol. Such a tool can be prepared independently. For this you will need: 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dry raw materials and 0.2 liters of vodka. The plant is poured into alcohol, and the mixture is removed to infuse for 3 weeks away from sunlight. In the treatment of paralysis, drink 30 drops three times a day.
But the pharmacy tincture of emetic nut is allowed to take no more than 30 drops a day. Use it for the following problems:
- deterioration of hearing and visual acuity;
- poor digestion;
- nervous system disorder;
- weaknesses;
- metabolic disorders;
- anorexia.
The plant is used as a general tonic, and also as bitterness to increase appetite. Your doctor may prescribe strychnine nitrate by mouth as a pill or injection in a 0.1% solution.
Externally, chilibukha extract is a dry powder of light brownodorless colors. It has a very bitter taste and can be sold as an aqueous solution. The extract contains 16% alkaloids (strychnine and brucine). Assign it to 5-10 mg at a time. A single dose for adults is 10 mg, daily - about 30 mg. Children under two years of age are not recommended to give emetic nut.
Effective chilibuha recipes
Folk healers use this plant to treat various ailments. In the recipe, the emetic nut (Latin Strychnos Nux vomica) is used to make an aqueous tincture. It is used to eliminate epilepsy.
Prepare a healing agent as follows: a large leaf of chilibukha is crushed, poured with a glass of boiling water and left for 4 hours. After the time has passed, it is filtered and consumed at least three times a day, 20 grams each.
When the temperature is high, make an emetic ointment. First of all, the roots of the plant are finely chopped, then they are mixed with petroleum jelly and stirred until the consistency of sour cream. You can also add sea buckthorn oil or badger fat to this mixture.
For the treatment of heavy periods, chilibuha is also used. The ground roots and leaves of the plant are mixed and the resulting product is added at the tip of a knife to 200 ml of milk. Use it 100 grams before meals.
To stop a toothache, the leaves and roots of the emetic nut are also used. They are filled with water in a ratio of one to ten. Insist the medicine for at least 12 days. When pain occurs, apply a cotton pad moistened within the received medium.
Evomit for alcoholism
This plant also helps fight alcoholism. It is necessary to take 10 g of finely chopped leaves and 20 g of green nuts. The components are poured into a bottle of wine and left for two weeks in a dark place. The drink is given to the drinking person once a day in a glass. Best before meals. The drug leads to vomiting and severe nausea.
Another emetic tincture will help get rid of this habit: 2 grams of roots are cut, poured with boiling water and insisted for three hours. The tool is added to any food in two tablespoons, for example, during breakfast and dinner.
All the preparations from chilibukha listed in the article are allowed to be taken only as prescribed by the attending physician. Self-administration is highly discouraged!
Reviews about chilibukha are mixed, many are afraid to be treated with this plant because of its poisonous components. Although there are those who have been helped to feel better by the emetic nut.
Danger of reception
The dosage should be controlled as overdosing will lead to choking, muscle tension and convulsions. This condition can eventually lead to death. It should be remembered that the poison of the plant is due to the presence of strychnine, which is allowed to consume no more than 30 mg.
Contraindications to the use of emetic nut
Chilibukha can be harmful to he alth if a person has an individual intolerance to its components. Refuse to take seeds should be with bronchial asthma and hypertension. You should not resort to treatment with emetic nuts for people suffering from angina pectoris, hepatitis and atherosclerosis. Fruits should be completely excluded from the diet in case of hyperkinesis, chronic or acute nephritis. It is forbidden to use chilibuha with a tendency to convulsions, as well as during childbearing and lactation.
