A brief review on Nux vomica: A panacea homoeopathic remedy

Abstract

Strychnos nux-vomica is a homoeopathic remedy that has long been considered a panacea. This review collected the clinical trials and/or experimental studies on the pharmacological effects of Nux vomica. An electronic database search was run on Google Scholar and PubMed from 1980 to 2018. Data from homoeopathic texts available on paper and electronically were also included. Conventionally, Nux vomica is a medicine for alcoholism, anger effects of, colic, constipation, dyspepsia, gastrodynia, haemorrhoids, tea and tobacco habit, insomnia, nightmares, lumbago and many more diseases. Various pharmacological studies have proved its anti-alcoholic effect. Studies also showed its effect on sleep quality, anxiety-related behavioural patterns and epilepsy survival time. It also inhibited Helicobacter pylori-induced gene expression. Nux vomica was found to be beneficial in treating baker’s yeast-induced acute high-grade fever, pock-like lesions and Reiter’s disease. However, further research studies are required to explore its traditional uses for other diseases.