COCCULUS INDICUS Meaning and
Definition
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Cocculus Indicus, also known as Indian Cockle, is a climbing shrub of the Menispermaceae family, native to India and other Southeast Asian countries. It is widely valued for its medicinal properties and has been used in traditional Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine for centuries.
The plant has a woody stem with tendrils and glossy leaves. It produces small, greenish-yellow flowers and round fruits that turn red when mature. The fruits contain a single seed that is commonly referred to as "Cocculus Indicus seed" or simply "cocculus". The seeds are known for their high alkaloid content, particularly the compound picrotoxin.
Cocculus Indicus has various uses and applications. It is primarily considered a potent poison, with the alkaloids in the seeds known to have toxic effects on the central nervous system. Thus, it has been used as a traditional fish poison, often employed in some regions for capturing fish by stunning them.
Furthermore, Cocculus Indicus has been utilized medicinally in limited quantities due to its potential toxicity. It has been used as an antiemetic, to alleviate nausea and vomiting, and as a sedative or hypnotic agent. In some cultures, it has been used as an herbal remedy for motion sickness or for treating certain digestive disorders.
However, it is important to note that due to its potential toxicity, the use of Cocculus Indicus requires caution and should be done under the proper guidance of trained practitioners.
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Fish berry, Indian berry, the dried fruit of Anamirta cocculus or A. paniculata, a climbing shrub of India, the source of picrotoxin.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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The fruit of a large tree, possessing narcotic and poisonous qualities.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for COCCULUS INDICUS
- xocculus indicus
- vocculus indicus
- focculus indicus
- docculus indicus
- cicculus indicus
- ckcculus indicus
- clcculus indicus
- cpcculus indicus
- c0cculus indicus
- c9cculus indicus
- coxculus indicus
- covculus indicus
- cofculus indicus
- codculus indicus
- cocxulus indicus
- cocvulus indicus
- cocfulus indicus
- cocdulus indicus
- coccylus indicus
Etymology of COCCULUS INDICUS
The word "Cocculus Indicus" has its etymology rooted in Latin and Greek.
The term "Cocculus" comes from the Latin word "cocculus", which means "berry" or "fruit". It refers to the dark, berry-like appearance of the seeds of the Cocculus Indicus plant.
The term "Indicus" originates from the Latin word "indicus", which means "Indian" or "from India". This indicates the plant's origin or association with India.
Therefore, the etymology of "Cocculus Indicus" suggests that it is a plant with berry-like seeds that are native or related to India.
