Vishtinduk Vati Benefits, Uses, Side Effects & Dosage

Vishtinduk Vati is a nervine and cardiac stimulant. It is beneficial for treating neuralgia, facial paralysis, and local paralysis. It also has analgesic property. However, it is mainly indicated in lumbago (a low backache) and abdominal pain. It increases the inspiratory capacity of lungs by stimulating respiratory centers in the medulla oblongata and pons (parts of the brainstem). It exerts positive chronotropic and inotropic effects on the heart. Due to this, it increases heart rate and improves the force of heart contractions. It can also increase blood pressure due to its stimulant action. So, it is indicated in hypotension (low blood pressure). Usually, side effects occur with its high dosage. The common side effects include high blood pressure, giddiness, and muscle cramps. Therefore, the patient should take it with milk or Ghee to reduce its side effects. According to ayurveda, Ghee (clarified butter) is its antidote. The adult dosage of this medicine is 1 tablet (65 mg) twice daily.
What is Vishtinduk Vati?
Vishtinduk Vati is an ayurvedic medicine that acts on nerves, senses, and muscles. It stimulates the functions of these organs. It contains a single ingredient purified Kupilu (strychnos nux-vomica). Vishtinduk is an ayurvedic name for S. nux-vomica. It contains bitter alkaloids brucine and strychnine. These chemical constituents are very poisonous. However, the Shodhana (ayurvedic processing) reduces the content of these alkaloids in the seeds. (1)
Ingredients
Vishtinduk Vati is made of purified Kupilu (Poison Nut) seeds.
Shuddha Kupilu (strychnos nux-vomica) | 100% |
Note: Tablet may also have a silver coating.
Ayurvedic Properties
RASA (Taste) | TIKTA (Bitter), KATU (Pungent) |
GUNA (Main Quality) | RUKSHA (Dry), LAGHU (Light), TIKSHNA (Sharp) |
VIRYA (Potency) | USHNA (Hot) |
VIPAKA (Resultant) | KATU (Pungent) |
Dosha Karma
- Reduces Kapha Dosha
- Pacifies Vata Dosha aggravation associated with excess Kapha.
- It might increase Pitta Dosha.
In excess dosage, it also causes loss of OJA. The loss of OJA ultimately results in an increase of Vata Dosha in the body. Therefore, one should always use it with herbs that prevent loss of OJA and improve the strength of the body. Due to this reason, it is commonly administrated along with Ashwagandha Powder, Ghee (clarified butter) and milk.
Note: In ayurveda, OJA represents the essence of all Dhatus (tissues) and strength. It also includes immunity.
Medicinal Properties
The medicinal uses of Vishtinduk Vati are attributed to the following medicinal properties:
- Kapha pacifier
- Vata pacifier – but reduces Vata aggravation that is caused by blockage due to excess Kapha; its excess dosage can increase Vata.
- Analgesic
- Nervine tonic
- Nervine stimulant
- Cardiac stimulant
- Appetizer
- Antispasmodic (in low dose); spasmodic in high dose
- Antitussive (mainly helpful in a productive cough)
- Tonic for urinary bladder (reduces bladder sluggishness)
Indications
The classical indications of Vishtinduk Vati are as follows:
- Neuroglia
- Facial Paralysis
- Lumbago or Backache
- Insomnia (in aged patients due to nervine weakness)
- Loss of appetite
- Poor digestion
- Abdominal pain
- Bradycardia
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Cardiac weakness (along with Ashwagandha Arjuna Ksheer Pak)
- Productive cough
- Pneumonitis (along with other medicines)
- Urinary bladder sluggishness
- Enuresis (bed wetting)
- Erectile dysfunction
- Chills in chronic fever and malaria (don’t use if the patient has high-grade fever)
Vishtinduk Vati Benefits & Uses
The benefits of Vishtinduk Vati include aid in digestion, treating fatigue, low energy, constipation and low blood pressure. In low dosage, it improves muscle tone and strengthens nerves.
- Stimulates sense organs, blood vessels, nerves and muscles
- Reduces laziness and fatigue
- Increases appetite and enhances digestion
- Improves blood circulation
- Strengthens heart to increase its pumping force
- Provides strength to the urinary bladder
- Increases inhalation capacity of the lungs
- Good for men to increase physical performance and stamina
- Alleviates a low backache.
- It is an excellent medicine for breaking habit of laxatives and treating chronic constipation.
- Useful in erectile dysfunction
Let’s start a discussion about important medicinal uses of Vishtinduk Vati in a few diseases.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Vishtinduk Vati or products made of Strychnos nux-vomica are traditionally used for the management of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The treatment helps to improve the mobility of joints, reduces inflammation and alleviates joint pain and lowers joint stiffness.
Vishtinduk Vati contains Strychnos nux-vomica in which two important alkaloids are present –
- Brucine
- Brucine N-oxide
These alkaloids have analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities. (2)
A rat study also suggested its use in rheumatoid arthritis due to its antiarthritic property. The seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica showed a significant reduction in paw edema and improvement in hematological parameters in arthritic rats. Radiological and histopathological studies also suggested the antiarthritic activity of seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica. (3)
Vishtinduk Vati also contains purified seeds of Strychnos nux-vomica, which are a safer option than unpurified seeds. Because it has similar therapeutic effects, but fewer side effects.
Muscle Weakness
Its low dose is effective for stimulating muscles. It improves the therapeutic effects of Ashwagandha for strengthening muscles and makes a person more energetic. This combination is highly beneficial for treating muscular debility, especially in the aged people.
Its alkaloids are likely to increase glutamic acid (GA) level in the brain. GA excites muscle contractions by stimulation of excitatory nerve impulses. In low dosage, it helps to improve muscle tone. However, it causes several side effects due to overstimulation in high dosage. The ideal dosage for muscular debility is 30 to 65 mg. Moreover, it should be taken with Ashwagandha Powder and milk.
Lumbago & Backache
Vishtinduk Vati is an excellent remedy for a low backache. Due to its anodyne action, it alleviates back pain. It is commonly included in some ayurvedic medicines that are used for treating muscle pain and joint disorders.
Cardiac Weakness
In the chronic heart diseases, the heart becomes weak and enlarged, which cause pedal edema. In addition, the patient feels restlessness at night and suffers from sleeplessness. In such case, this medicine can help along with Ashwagandha Arjuna Ksheer Pak. Moreover, mild diuretic medicines including Punarnava, Punarnavadi Kashayam, Punarnavarishta etc. should also be used.
Constipation
Vishtinduk Vati is beneficial in chronic constipation. It helps to break laxative habit. It acts on the intestine. It stimulates peristaltic movement and eases in having a regular bowel movement.
In such cases, 1 tablet is given along with 1 teaspoon of cow’s ghee and 250 ml milk. It should be taken in the morning. The therapy is advised for 15 days along with dietary improvements.
In a few cases, the patient may require it for more than 15 days. However, the patient must stop it for 7 days and restart it for another 15 days. Maximum 3 cycles can be repeated to get a complete cure for chronic constipation.
Acute Asthmatic Attack
It can help to reduce acute aggravation of asthma or breathing trouble. It is used when the patient has restlessness and tiredness and feel difficulty in breathing. It is also beneficial if the patient has excess mucus in airways.
Opium Withdrawal
Vishtinduk Vati is an antidote for opium. It is an essential ayurvedic medicine for opium withdrawal. Taking it for a few days help to treat opium addiction.
For more details, read the article here: Ayurvedic Treatment for Opium Addiction & Opiate Withdrawal Symptoms
Dosage
The classical ayurvedic dosage of Vishtinduk Vati is as follows: | |
For Adults | 1 tablet (65 mg) |
Maximum Possible Dosage | 2 tablets (130 mg) Per Day (in divided doses) |
Anupaan (Adjuvant) | A cup of Milk |
Frequency | 2 times a day |
Timing | After breakfast and dinner |
Side Effects & Safety
Strychnos nux-vomica used in Vishtinduk Vati is processed as per ayurvedic Shodhana process. It reduces brucine and strychnine content in the processed nux-vomica and decreases its toxic effects. Therefore, its side effects are not common as nux-vomica used in other modalities of medical science. However, side effects can still occur when it is taken in high dosage or with a low dosage in people with Pitta Prakriti. It can cause the following adverse effects:
- Giddiness
- High blood pressure
- Tachycardia (increased heart rate)
- Muscle Cramps
Unprocessed Strychnos nux-vomica can cause very severe side effects exceeding 30 mg per day. Therefore, ayurveda always recommend using Shuddha (purified) Kupilu for preparing ayurvedic medicines.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
Pregnant women and lactating mothers should not take this medicine.
Contraindications
Patients with the following health conditions should not use it:
- High blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Ama accumulation in the abdomen
- High-grade fever
- Convulsions
- Pitta disorders or Pitta Prakriti
- Liver disease
Manufacturers & Brands
- Zandu