Use
Strychnine as nux vomica was available in apothecaries throughoutthe 19th century, and strychnine salts such as strychnine sulfate, strychnine nitrate, andstrychnine phosphate were a popular medicine. It was sold as pills, powders, and tinctures.Small quantities of strychnine were added to tonics to serve as stimulants. Because its bittertaste stimulates saliva and gastric production, strychnine was used to counteract the lossof appetite produced by various diseases. Hypodermic injections of strychnine along withdigitalis were prescribed for treating acute heart failure in the early 20th century. Otherconditions for which strychnine was prescribed included paralysis, impotence, alcoholism,and drug addiction.Today strychnine as nux vomica is still available as an herbal ingredient for herbal and homeopathic remedies. The action of nux vomica is attributed to strychnine and brucine. It is recommended for stomach ailments such as atonic dyspepsia, constipation, heart burn, and indigestion. It is reported to relieve nausea during pregnancy. Chinese herbalists use nux vomica externally to treat tumors, headaches, and paralysis. It is recommended for the treatment of Bell's palsy. Strychnine has some uses in modern traditional medicine. It has been used to treat the genetic disorder nonketotic hyperglycinaemia (NKH). NKH is related to glycine metabolism; it can lead to high levels of the inhibitory receptor glycine resulting in seizures. Strychnine is used in neurological research by applying it to areas of the brain or spinal column and observing how the nervous system responds. This method is called strychnine neuronography. Strychnine has been used in conjunction with antivenoms to treat poisonous snake bites. Strychnine is sometimes cut into cocaine, heroin, and other illegal substances in the production of designer drugs. Strychnine was once used liberally as a pesticide, especially to control vertebrates.It is used as a salt in granular bait formulations. In the United States its use has been progressively limited over the years. . In the1980s, its use was curtailed for above-ground applications to reduce toxicity to nontargetspecies, especially birds; by the end of the decade, its use was limited to below ground.Currently, strychnine is only registered for use by the EPA as a below-ground bait pesticidefor use on pocket gophers.