Curare

Curare (Curare) - extract from the bark of South American trees (Strychnos and Chondodendron species); disrupts the conduction of neuromuscular excitation (ed.) and causes relaxation and paralysis of skeletal muscles. Used for centuries by South American Indians to poison arrowheads; also previously used to relieve muscle spasms due to tetanus, and used during surgery as a muscle relaxant. Currently, tubocurarine is used instead during operations.

Curare is a drug that was used in the past to aid in operations.

Now it is used for the administration of anesthesia, convulsive and muscle relaxant, as well as in toxicology for lethal injection in forensic practice, especially in case of poisoning with fast-acting poisons. It is also used in the treatment of tetanus. The muscle relaxant tubocurarine is often used today

The source of curarine (from another species) is the Colombian vine Curare andicu. Plant of the Strakhnov family. The main purpose of the medicinal plant raw material curarina is the treatment of chronic ulcerative diseases of the stomach and duodenum, gastritis, and colitis. The content of the toxic substance curarin in the leaves is up to 0.2%. Curare is one of the most effective muscle relaxants and is still a widely used medicinal product that contains potent heather fibers. The plant is poisonous, so it is not surprising that the ancient Greeks used it only to break their enemies in battle.