Snuhi : Ancient Ayurveda and Forensic Toxicology

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 Snuhi : Ancient Ayurveda and Forensic Toxicology

Category: Agadtantra (Toxicology) 

Bams 2 nd year


Snuhi, known botanically as Euphorbia neriifolia. This blog explores the characteristics, medicinal uses, and critical safety profile of this unique plant based on traditional and modern scientific perspectives. 
Snuhi is a succulent shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 2 to 6 meters. It is widely distributed across India, as well as in the regions of Sikkim and Bhutan

INTRODUCTION

• Snuhi is a Drastic Purgative

• One among the UPAVISHA

• Categorised under STHAVARA VISHA

• It has 600 varieties like Tridhari, Chaudhari etc..

• Charakacharya has divided into

  1. Alpakantaka
  2. Bahukantaka (superior)

• Latex is usually collected at the end of winter

from a plant which is 2 to 3 years old

  •  Latin Name = Euphorbia nerifolia
  •  Family = Euphorbiaceae
 Vernacular Names :

  1.  Sanskrit = 1.Vajri 2.sudha
  2.  Hindi = Sehund
  3. Marathi = Nivadung
  4. English = Common milk hedge

Classification

A) According to Ayurved.

  •  Sthavara Vegetative Poison
  •  Upavisha (Bhavprakaash & Rasatarangini)

B) According to Modern Science

  •  Irritant Organic Poison Properties

Rasapanchak 

  •  Guna: Laghu, Snigdha Tikshna
  •  Rasa: Katu.
  •  Vipak: Katu.
  •  Veerya: Ushna.
  • DOSAKARMA: vatakapha samaka
  • KARMA: virecana, dipana, gulmanasaka, kusthaghna, jwaraghna, visagna

Morphology 

  •  Utpattisthana  - All over India, Sikkim, Bhutan
  • General Description of drug:

         It is shrub or tree

         height is about 2 to 6 m

A large branched shrub or small tree with pairs of stipular spines on fubercles

  • LEAVES – fleshy (present in rainy season) Involucres yellowish, 3-7 in cyme
  • FRUITS – 3 compartment capsules sharply 2 lobed & compressed
  • FLOWERS - yellowish
  • SEED - flat
  • PART USED – ksheera, mula, kanda, patra
  • TOXIC PART – an acid, milky juice exuded from stem , Toxic Part (Vishaadhisthna): All parts specially latex (Ksheer)
Active principal 

1. Euphorbine, 2.Euphol, 3.Euphorbol 4. taraxerol

MODE OF ACTION

It is an effective anti inflammatory agent

It is also used to treat conditions caused by low calcium levels such as bone loss, weak bones

Decreased activity of parathyroid gland

In adults it effectively promotes the consolidation and maintenance of bone mass

TOXIC EFFECT

Latex of Sunhi is found to be powerful contact poison but weaker as a stomach poison

Latex can cause blindness and severe illness

Produces excruciating pain and severe inflammation if get into cut on skin or eyeball

Produces severe burning sensation when applied on skin

If consumed, over dose may cause vomiting and diarrhoea 

Blood mixed stool may be seen

 Fatal dose

  •  Uncertain

  Fatal period 

  • 12 to 24 hrs

 Toxic symptoms

   A) External symptoms - If the latex of plant comes in contact with skin; it forms blisters. If it comes in contact with eyes, severe conjunctivitis may occur which may lead to loss of vision.

    B) Internal symptoms = irritant effect of gastrointestinal track. vomiting diarrhoea, convulsions & coma like

Treatment of poisoning

1. According to Ayurveda

 For External symptoms - Apply the lepa of Temarind (Chincha) in cold water on blisters

 For Internal symptoms -

   a) Give sugar dissloved in cold water.

   b) Give buffalo milk with sugar

   c) Vaman and Virechan medicine

According to Modern

   No specific antidote. Hence symptomatic treatment is given.

 * Mouth gag

    a) Give stomach wash with warm water or potassium permangnet in proportion of 1:5000.

   b) Use the demulcents like white yolk of egg, clarified butter.

   c) Inj. Morphine 10 gm IM for pain relieving

   d) Use of stimulant drugs.

Postmortem Appearances

  •  Gangrenous patches can be seen in stomach.
  •  Spleen is in rotten condition.
  •  Stomach, intestine, oesophagus shows redness and inflammation.
  •  Shows signs of abortion.

Medico legal Importance:

  •  It is used for the purpose of criminal abortion.
  •  Used very rarely for homicide.
  •  Latex is applied on eyes & genital organs for the punishment of adultery.
  •  It is rarely used as suicidal poison
  • Juice is poured into eyes as a punishment for infidelity

Purification

  •   ​2 Pala of Sunhi is taken along with 2 Tola of filtered Chinca Patra Swarasa in a clean wide mouthed container .
  • ​The vessel is placed under sun and dried until the watery content is evaporated

Medicinal Preparations

  •  Ksharvartika
  •  Ksharsutra
  •  Arshakuthar Rasa.

Conclusion

Snuhi is a classic example of the Ayurvedic principle that even a poison can become a medicine if used in the right dose and after proper processing. However, due to its potent irritant nature and potential for severe injury—including permanent vision loss—it should never be handled or consumed without expert professional guidance.

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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. Cannabis is a regulated substance, and its use should only occur under the guidance of a qualified medical professional

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