TOXIC PLANTS IN TRADITIONAL INDIAN SYSTEMS OF

MEDICINE

Thomas M.Walter*, Gopi G.Radha**.

Introduction:

The World Health Organization (WHO) estimated that 80% of the population
of developing countries relies on traditional medicines, mostly plant drugs, for
their primary health care needs. Also, modern pharmacopoeia still contains at
least 25% drugs derived from plants and many others which are synthetic
analogues built on prototype compounds isolated from plants.

Siddha system is one of the oldest systems of medicine in India. The Siddha
system is capable of treating all types of disease (especially chronic diseases)
other than emergency cases.

The Pharmacology (Materia Medica) of Siddha system is divided into three

major parts namely Herbal kingdom, Metals & Minerals and Animal kingdom.
The initial treatment consists of Herbal treatment followed by metal and mineral
preparations. It is important to have an awareness regarding the poisonous
plants which when used in the proper, prescribed dose, acts as potent
therapeutic agents.

Toxins are molecules that are harmful to living organisms. It is a fact that
virtually any substance can be harmful at high enough concentrations - as
Paracelsus (1493-1541) said in the sixteenth century, "the dose makes the
poison." Poisons include both naturally produced compounds and chemicals
manufactured by humans. Natural poisons are produced by species of bacteria,
fungi, protists, plants, and animals.

This article has the basic details such as the Botanical & Family names,
Common names, toxic parts of the plant, chemical constituents, signs and
symptoms of toxicity, its use in Traditional Indian Systems of Medicine (in
prescribed doses), and information about Lethal dose and Fatal period of the
important plants (such as Papaver somniferum, Datura alba, Nerium oleander,
Strychnos nux vomica, Cleistanthus collinus, Cannabis sativa, Gloriosa superba,
Anamirta cocculus, Citrulus colocynthis, Abrus precatorius, Semecarpus
anacardium, Excoecaria agallocha, Digitalis purpurea, Aconitum ferrox, Croton
tiglium and Plumbago zeylanica) noted as poisons in the Traditional Indian
Systems of Medicine.

*
Asst. Lecturer, Dept. of Pharmacology, Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, T.N., INDIA.
**
House-Surgeon, Govt. Siddha Medical College, Palayamkottai, T.N., INDIA.
Bot.name & Common Toxic Constit Action Uses Note
Family Name parts uents
Jequirity, Roots, Abrin Vomiting, Externally LD: 90gm-
Abrus Precatorius Indian seeds,& Cardiac used in 120gm.
Jamaica or leaves poison. Alopecia,
Wild Sciatica, FP: 24-72
Liquorices Paralysis& hrs.
Other nervous
diseases

Externally
Aconitum ferox Gastro used in LD: 2.5-
(Ranunculaceae) Indian aconite Dried Napelline or Intestinal Neuralgia, 4gm
or Monkshood tuberous Pseudo Tract Muscular
root aconite irritant rheumatism, FP: 5 hrs
&Cardiac Nervine tonic
poison. in case of
paralysis.

In smallest
Anamirta cocculus, doses it is
Menispermaceae Indian berry, Fresh Picrotoxin given in
fish berry. fruit - epilepsy. -

Deliriant Neuralgia, LD:

Cannabis sativa Dried Cannabin, poison, Migraine, Bhang:10g
(Cannabinaceae) Indian hemp flowers cannabinon, produce Whooping m
and fruits cannabinol Over cough, Ganja:8gm
excitement Asthma, Charas:2g
, Narcotic Dysmenorrhea m.
stage & &
Death. Menorrhagia. FP: 24hrs-
7 days.

Cleistanthus collinus Bark Saponins Extremely Bark is a fish

(Ephorbiaceace) poisonous poison.
Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth, Fruit, Ascitis,
(Cucurbitaceae) Indian wild Root, Jaundice,
Gourd or bitter Dried Colocynthin Amenorrhea,
apple, bitter Pulp of Fever,
cucumber. the fruit. Constipation.

Dropsy,
Croton tiglium Cerebral
(Euphorbiaceae) Purgative Seed, oil. Tiglinic acid, GIT irritant affection like LD: 1 seed
croton, croton Crotonic, or &Cardiac apoplexy, Oil: 15-
oil seed. quartenylic poison. Convulsions, 20ml.
acid. Insanity,
Obstinate FP: 6 -
constipation, 36hrs.
intestinal
obstruction.

Datura alba
(Solanaceae)
Whole Daturine. Deliriant Spasmodic LD: 0.6-
Thorn apple plant poison asthma. 1gm.
produce
collapse & FP: 24 hrs.
death.

LD: 15-30
Digitalis purpurea mg
Terophularaceae
Cardiac FP: 30 min
Fox glove _ _ poison. - 24 hrs.
 Epilepsy,
Excoecaria Tiger’s milk externally in
agallocha, tree _ _ ulcers, snake
Euphorbiaceae poison.

Gloriosa superba Gonorrhea,

(Liliaceae) Tubers(ro Superbine& GIT irritant externally in LD:800mg
Superblily ots) glucosine. &Respirato snake bite&
ry poison. Scorpion FP: 12-24
Sting. hrs.

Small doses in
Nerium oleander Snake bites&
(Apocynaceae) Sweet scented Root Neriodorin. Cardiac powerful LD:16gm
oleander, &root- poison venomous
Roseberry bark bites, FP: 24-36
spurge. externally hrs.
used in
Hamorrhoids,
Cancers.

LD:Opium:
Papaver somniferum 0.9-1.8gm
(Papavaraceae) Morphine:3
Opium poppy Ripe Morphine, Depression Cough, 0mg
capsules, &dried Narcotine, Narcotic Asthma, Codeine:1
White poppy, capsules, Codeine, poison. Insomnia, 0-60mg
poppy seeds. petals Thebaine. Diarrhoea, Tincture
seeds. Dysentry, opium:250
Intestinal mg
inflammatory Pethedine:
pain. 1gm

FP: 6-12
hrs.
Plumbago zeylanica Internally root
Plumbaginaceae Ceylon Externally causes
leadwort, Plumbagin. it produces Abortion, LD:5gm
White Root rashes & Externally in
leadwort. Gastro Abscess,
intestinal Leprosy and
poison. Scabies.

Internally used
Semecarpus GIT irritant, in Syphilis, LD: 5 – 10
anacardium Markins nut Fruit, Anacardiac Externally Piles, gm
(Anacardiaceae) tree. Gum, oil. acid & it produces Rheumatism,
Cardol Rashes on Palsy, FP: 12 –
anacardol skin. Epilepsy, 24 hours.
Chronic
enlargement
of spleen.

Internally used
in Neuralgic
affection,
Strychos nux vomica Nux vomica or Stem Strychnine. Spinal Hysteria, LD: 30-
(Loganiaceae) Strychine tree, bark, poison, Mental 120mg
poison nut, Dried ripe produce emotion,
quaker button seeds. Convulsion Epilepsy, FP: 1-2
& death. Prolapse of days.
rectum,
Chronic
Rheumatism,
Cholera,
Acute
Dysentery,
Externally
used in
Headache,
Palsy.

Abbreviations Used:

L.D. Lethal Dose

F.P. Fatal Period.

 Pharmacological terms and their meanings:

Abortifacient: Drug that induces expulsion of a non-viable fetus.

Alterative: Medicine that "alter" the morbid or unhealthy process
of nutrition and excretion, restoring in some unknown
way, the normal functions of an organ or of the system
without producing any sensible effect or obvious
impression on any of the organs of the body.
Analgesic, A remedy which relieves pain.
Anodyne:
Antacid: Drug that counteracts or neutralizes the acidity in the
stomach.
Anthelmintic: Any remedy for the destruction or elimination of
intestinal worms.
Antibacterial: Any agent which destroys bacteria.
Antidote: A remedy which counteracts or neutralizes the action
of a poison.
Anti- Any agent which prevents inflammation.
inflammatory:
Antipyretic: Any agent which allays or reduces fever.

Antiseptic: A remedy that arrests or prevents putrification or

which prevents or retards the growth of micro-
organisms as long as they remain in contact with them
but not destroy them.
Antispasmodic: Any measure used to relieve spasm occurring in
muscle.
Aphrodisiac: An agent which stimulates or increases sexual
excitement, sexual appetite, passion and virile power.
Aromatic: Substances characterized by a fragrant, cordial, spicy
taste and / or odour and containing volatile oils and
stimulates to the gastro intestinal mucous membrane.
Astringent: Any agent which contracts organic tissue thus
lessening secretion.
Cardiac Drugs which lessen the activity of heart.
depressant:
Cardiac Drugs which maintain an efficient circulation when the
stimulant: heart becomes weak to perform its function by
 improving its activity.
Carminative: Calming or soothing medicines that act by relieving
pain in the stomach and bowel and expel flatulence
and gas from the stomach or intestines by increasing
or regulating peristalsis.

Cholagogue: Remedy which stimulates the action of liver, empties

the gall bladder, promoting or increasing the secretion
or excretion of bile, and produces free purgation at the
same time.

Demulcent: A slippery, mucilaginous fluid which allays irritation

and sooths inflammation, especially of mucous
membranes.
Deobstruent: A medicine that removes functional obstructions of the
body.

Diaphoretic: An agent which induces diaphoresis(perspiration). It is

milder in action.
Digestive: An agent which assists the stomach and intestine in
their normal functions of promoting digestion of foods.
Diuretic: An agent which increases the flow of urine.

Emmenogogue: These are medicines, which by their stimulating action

on the uterine fiber (a) directly assist in increasing or
restoring disordered menstruation when deficient or
absent. (b) by removing the cause of the suppression,
allow the discharge to return.
Emetic: Any agent used to produce vomiting.
Expectorant: A drug which promotes or increases the elimination of
secretion from the respiratory tract by coughing or by
sputum.
Galactagogue: An agent inducing or increasing the flow of milk.
Haematinic: Any substance which is required for the production of
red blood cell and the constituents.

Haemostatic: Any agent which arrests bleeding.

Laxative: A mild aperient.
Lithontriptic: A medicine supposed to possess the power of
dissolving urinary calculi, i.e., stone in the urinary
bladder.

Nutritive: Nourishing medicines.

Refrigerant: Medicines having cooling properties on the surface of
the body, or lowering bodily temperature, and which
quench thirst, and medicines which suppress an
unnatural heat of the body.
Rubefacient: A substance which when applied to the skin, cause
redness.
Sedative: Drug that exerts a soothing effect by lowering
functional activity. Drug which quiets the nervous
system without actually producing sleep.
Sialogogue: An agent which increases the flow of saliva.
Stimulant: An agent which increases or excites functions.

Stomachic: An agent which increases the appetite and digestion.

Styptic: An astringent applied to stop bleeding.

Tonic: Medicine which permanently increase the tone of the

part upon which they act, as well as improve the entire
general tone of the system, jointly and severally, by
stimulating the nutrition.

Bibliography:
1. Indian Materia Medica Vol: 1 by, Dr. K.M. Nadkarani, Publisher:
Popular Prakash, Mumbai.

2. The Wealth of India Vol 1- 12, Publisher Council for Scientific and
Industrial Research (C.S.I.R), New Delhi.

3. Textbook of Medical Jurisprudence and Toxicology by Dr. C.K Parikh,

CBS Publisher, Mumbai.

4. Siddha Materia Medica (Medicinal Plants Division) by Murugesa

Mudaliar, Published by The Directorate of Indian Medicine &
Homeopathy, Chennai.