Cocculus Indicus (Ital. coccola, 'a berry') is the fruit of the Anamirta paniculata, a climbing shrub found in the eastern parts of India, and in the Malayan Archipelago. It was introduced into Britain in the 16th century for the purpose of stupefying fish so that they might be caught by hand. It acts as an acrid narcotic poison, and when the berries are thrown into a stream it quickly poisons any fish in the neighbourhood. It contains a crystalline principle called picrotoxine, which is very poisonous. It has often been asserted that as cocculus indicus imparts to beer a bitter taste, and at the same time a fullness and apparent richness, it is largely used in the manufacture of that beverage. As its effects are very deleterious, considerable attention was directed to the point, but no evidence is as yet forthcoming to substantiate the statement. In 1876 the report of the Laboratory Department of the Inland Revenue stated that in no case were the officers of the department able to detect it either on the brewer's premises or in the beer itself. Of the large quantity imported into England, nearly the whole is re-exported to the Continent.
In Russia and elsewhere it is a popular remedy for tapeworm, lice, &c.; but when applied to the scalp it is not unattended with danger, as several deaths have occurred from its use.