Amyl nitrosum

Amyl nitrosum is an organic nitrite ester derived from amyl alcohol (C₅H₁₁OH) and nitrous acid (HNO₂). It is a volatile liquid, pale yellow, with a fruity odour, known for its rapid physiological action on the vascular system. It is highly volatile at room temperature and acts swiftly when inhaled, producing a sudden vasodilatory effect.

First introduced by Dr. Benjamin W. Richardson (London, 1859) in conventional medicine, with homeopathic proving symptoms documented later by Dr. J. C. Burnett, Dr. Hughes, and others through clinical observation, accidental overdoses, and physiological experiments.

The essence of Amyl nitrosum lies in suddenness, intensity, and transience. The patient experiences an abrupt vascular storm—heat, redness, throbbing, oppression—that comes swiftly and passes quickly, leaving exhaustion or pallor. It resonates with acute circulatory crises, menopausal flushes, and conditions where rapid vasodilation offers relief. Energetically, it represents the uncontrolled surge of vital force to the surface, threatening collapse if not balanced.

• Vascular system – intense vasodilation, flushing, congestion, sudden engorgement.
• Heart and circulation – palpitation, rapid pulse, sudden flushing of face and neck.
• Nervous system – sudden rushes of blood to head, faintness, dizziness.
• Respiratory system – oppression of breathing during flushes.
• Face and skin – sudden heat, redness, perspiration, prickling.
• Head – congestive headaches, throbbing temples.

There is a sense of impending suffocation or fear during flushes, with agitation and restlessness. Patients may feel a sudden fear of death accompanying the rush of blood to the head. The mental state alternates between anxiety during attacks and indifference once the flush subsides [Hering]. Confusion of thought during vascular excitement is marked; inability to concentrate is common. Irritability may occur when flushes are frequent, often with a dislike of tight collars or constriction about the neck [Clarke].

Acts with great rapidity and short duration. Produces sudden vascular dilatation, lowering peripheral resistance, and inducing flushes, headaches, and palpitations [Hughes].

Flushes resemble sudden febrile heat but without preceding chill. Sweating follows heat quickly.

No distinct chill; sudden heat followed by moisture on skin.

A sudden rush of blood to the head is one of the most characteristic features, with intense throbbing and heat felt especially in the temples and vertex [Hughes]. The sensation is described as if the head were expanding, with visible pulsation in temporal arteries. Headaches are congestive, bursting, and are accompanied by flushing of the face, often brought on by excitement or heat. Vertigo occurs suddenly, compelling the patient to sit or lie down.

Flushing is accompanied by a feeling of heat in the eyes, with injected conjunctiva. Vision may blur during the peak of the vascular rush, sometimes with sparks or flickering lights before the eyes [Clarke]. Pupils may dilate transiently during episodes.

Sudden rushes of blood to the head produce fullness in the ears, throbbing, and a sensation of warmth. Occasionally tinnitus is present during the height of the flush.

Nasal congestion may accompany flushing, with redness of the tip of the nose and occasional epistaxis during violent vascular excitement.

The face becomes intensely flushed, hot, and red, often within seconds of exposure to the trigger (heat, emotion, vapour inhalation) [Hering]. The heat is sometimes described as burning, and may extend down the neck and upper chest. Skin of the face may perspire profusely during the flush.

Dryness of the mouth during flushing episodes; sometimes a metallic or chemical taste is noted following inhalation [Clarke].

Constriction of the throat may be felt during flushes, with a desire to loosen the collar. Throbbing in the carotids is prominent [Kent].

Sensation of intense heat and redness over upper chest during flushes. Oppression is common, with need to breathe deeply [Hughes].

Rapid acceleration of pulse, sometimes up to 160 bpm during peak action [Richardson]. Palpitations are violent, felt in chest and neck, often with visible pulsations in carotids. Sudden fall of blood pressure after initial rise.

Oppressed breathing during vascular rushes, sometimes gasping; better in cool air. There is a subjective sense of suffocation during intense congestion.

Nausea may accompany the rush of blood, especially in sensitive patients [Hering]. Warmth spreads from the epigastrium upward during attacks.

Occasional increased frequency of urination after attacks, possibly from vasodilation-induced renal perfusion changes.

Amyl nitrosum has clinical use in relieving spasmodic dysmenorrhoea by sudden muscular relaxation and improved pelvic circulation [Clarke]. Flushes in menopausal women are a keynote, especially when sudden, intense, and with oppression of breathing.

Hands and arms may become warm and flushed in parallel with face and chest. Occasionally tremors occur during attacks.

Flushed, hot, and moist during episodes; pale and cool after they subside. Prickling sensations may occur on face and upper chest.

• Glonoine – Both produce sudden rushes to head with flushing; Glonoine has more aggravation from sun heat and a sense of head expansion; Amyl-n. acts faster and shorter.
• Lachesis – Hot flushes with choking and need to loosen clothing; but Lachesis symptoms are worse after sleep and more left-sided.
• Sanguinaria – Climacteric flushes, but more associated with burning in palms and soles.

• Complementary: Sanguinaria, Lachesis.
• Antidotes: Cold air, inhalation of ammonia vapour.
• Inimical: Not well recorded.

Extremely valuable in acute climacteric flushes, angina pectoris with vascular spasm, and palliation of cyanide poisoning. Acts best in high attenuation for functional disorders, but inhalation of crude vapour is used in emergencies. Duration of action is brief, requiring repetition if indicated.

Mind

• Flushing, with anxiety.
• Fear of suffocation during flushes.
• Restlessness during heat.

Head

• Congestion, sudden.
• Pulsation in temples.
• Headache, bursting, with flushing.

Eyes

• Redness during congestion.
• Flickering before eyes with rush of blood.
• Vision dim during flushes.

Stomach

• Nausea during congestion.
• Warmth rising from epigastrium.

Skin

• Flushed, hot, perspiring.
• Prickling during heat.

Extremities

• Heat in hands during flushes.
• Trembling with palpitations.

Generalities

• Flushes, sudden, intense.
• Short action, rapid onset.

Richardson, B. W. – First physiological description of rapid vasodilation and pulse acceleration.
Hering, C. – Noted mental anxiety during rushes and the intense facial heat.
Hughes, R. – Detailed congestive headache description and circulatory effects.
Clarke, J. H. – Observations on menopausal flushes, throat constriction, and clinical applications.
Burnett, J. C. – Reports on rapid palliation of dysmenorrhoea and angina episodes.