Phenology, silviculture & utilisation
Musti Ginjalu (Strychnos nox-vomica) is a
slow growing small deciduous semi-evergreen tree growing preferably
in shade attaining a height of 9 to 12 m. It is also locally
known as Crowfig, Posion nut, or Snake wood. In the more recent
Sanskrit compilations one finds mention of Nux vomica as kuchila.
Nux-vomica is widely distributed particularly in South India
and occupies prime position in the world's supply of the drug.
Its growth and development depend largely on the extent of
rainfall. In moist deciduous forests it attains a size of
about 30 m. heights with a girth of about 3.5 m. In moist
types of forests the tree is semi evergreen to evergreen but
in dry types on laterite soils, it loses its levels for a
short time in the hot season. The bark is yellowish grey to
blackish grey, thin, smooth, and covered with minute tubercles
and containing chlorophyll tissue. It has large dullish green
white flowers appearing from March to May.
Unlike the flowers, the fruit is bright looking,
brownish yellow berry about the size of a small orange, containing
large quantity of gelatinous pulp in which 1 to 5 seeds are
embedded. The fruits ripen in the winter and summer season
from December to June. The yield of seed is proportional to
the size of the tree. The interesting feature is the amazing
variation in yield from year to year and failure of many trees
to yield any seed at all. The seed is flat disc-shaped with
a diameter varying from 15 to 30 mm and 4 to 6 mm thick weighing
about 100 gms. It is hard and depressed at the centre. It
is odourless. The wood when freshly cut is light cream white
in colour but turns to light brown on exposure. The wood is
hard and close grained.
Alkaloids are present in both the seeds and
pulp even in the very early stages of development of the fruit.
The seeds contain much more alkaloids then the pulp. During
ripening, the pulp loses its alkaloid content and rather rapidly
towards the end so much so that only traces of it are left
in December / January collection. Therefore seeds are the
only product that not only has high alkaloid content but also
retains it throughout its stages of development and storage.
The total alkaloid varies from 1.8 to 5.3 per cent.
Nux-vomica, a drug, obtained from the seeds
of this tree is widely used in general prescriptions. The
seeds contain alkaloid 'strychnine', useful in pharmaceutical
industry in the treatment of fevers, ulcers, dysentery, dyspepsia
and excited mental conditions, in insecticides; pesticides
preparation and rat poison material. However it is a virulent
poison in large doses. The dry extract is combined with cascara
sagrada and other laxatives in the form of pills and given
for the treatment of constipation. It is bitter in taste and
increases gastric secretion and appetite. Strychnine is also
used in the treatment of nervous disorder and paralysis. Brucine
is used in analytical chemistry and its salt for denaturing
alcohol used in cosmetic preparation. White ants probably
on account of its bitterness do not eat the wood. It is used
in the manufacture of fancy and cabinet articles, cartwheels
and other agricultural implements. Leaves are used as a green
manure.
Collection and processing
The collection of the product should be made
very carefully. The fruits are collected on the trees as soon
as they ripen or immediately after they fall. If they are
left on the ground, the cattle devour them voraciously. However
in practice very slop-shod methods of collection are adopted
and even seeds damaged by wild animals and birds are not left
uncollected although these fetch considerably lower prices.
The way to get the best seeds is to shake the mature fruits
off the branches. The pulp is removed by retting or by rubbing
on a strong flowing / running water. The seeds are dried in
the sun by spreading them on clean mats and agitated twice
or trice a day. It takes roughly about seven days for the
seeds to dry. If the seed turns black it is not suitable for
sale.
The collection is carried out in two seasons
in a year, November and January to March. For collection,
collectors go into forest before eight in the morning and
return by sunset. The collection is carried out whole of the
season. Traditional collectors stay in the forest for six
days and can collect up to 25 kgs.
It has been observed that the seed stored
in damp place lose their original brightness and so are covered
with a surface layer of mould, but the alkaloid content remains
almost unaltered. The fungal attack is only on the outside
silky coat and does not penetrate. However in order to retain
the original brightness and consequently to get a better price,
damp places are avoided for storage. Storage of seed for year
and a half do not affect the quality of seed.
Production and pricing
The figures of procurement and sales by GCC
of the produce do not show any trend, but have shown a decline
overall. The prices have shown a spurt in the mid 90s but
have again declined and the total rise in during the period
is marginal.
Figure
: Procurement and Sales Quantity of Nux Vomica (in MT)
Figure
: Procurement and Sales Price of Nux Vomica (in MT) |
