Xanthoxylum fraxineum

Xanthoxylum fraxineum is a small deciduous tree native to North America. Its bark, berries, and roots are used in herbal medicine, particularly for stimulating circulation and the nervous system. In homeopathy, the bark of the fresh root is tinctured to create the remedy, which is especially suited for uterine and nervous system complaints, particularly dysmenorrhoea, spasmodic pains, and nervous exhaustion.

Proved by Dr. E.M. Hale and later confirmed by others in the American homeopathic tradition. Not extensively proved in Europe, but widely used in gynaecological and circulatory cases based on clinical observation.

Xanthoxylum fraxineum is the remedy of vascular-nervous equilibrium disrupted. Its essence lies in the neuralgic woman—highly sensitive, painfully reactive, and intensely congested, particularly in the uterus and spine. It is the remedy of pre-menstrual and neuralgic suffering, where cramps, flushes, and tremors reflect an overwhelmed neurovascular system. The pains are as much nervous as they are muscular. A classic choice in dysmenorrhoea of highly strung women, especially when the flow has not yet begun and all symptoms are worse.

• Uterus and female reproductive organs – intense action on uterine muscles, nerves, and blood vessels
• Nervous system – especially spinal cord and peripheral nerves
• Blood vessels – vasomotor system; remedy increases blood flow and affects vascular tone
• Mucous membranes – irritation and dryness
• Pelvis and lower back – pain, tension, and neuralgia in lumbosacral and pelvic regions

Nervous, excitable, and often overwhelmed by overstimulation. The mental state reflects irritability, mental exhaustion, and emotional sensitivity. There may be anxiety centred around the uterus or menstruation, with fear of something going wrong. Patient feels restless but too weak to act, alternating between agitation and collapse. Mental dullness follows pain episodes. During neuralgia, the patient may feel disconnected or unable to concentrate. Weeping from nervous tension is frequent, especially before menstruation.

Sleep is disturbed before or during menses. Nervous excitement prevents falling asleep. Waking with start or twitching. Dreams vivid and anxious. Sleep brings temporary relief from pain but is not restorative.

Anxious, confused, or sexual dreams. Nightmares involving suffocation or paralysis. Dreams of being pursued or failing responsibilities.

A remedy of the neurovascular type: intense pain, sudden onset, and heightened nervous sensitivity. Pains are cramping, burning, or neuralgic, especially affecting uterus, spine, and blood vessels. Symptoms are worse before menses, and are often accompanied by restlessness, tremors, or palpitations. Weakness after pain or discharge is common. Better by warmth, pressure, and rest. Marked alternation between excitation and exhaustion.

Fever occurs in nervous or hysterical women, especially during menstruation. Flushes of heat rise from pelvis to face. Chills followed by sweat. Febrile symptoms coincide with neuralgia or uterine pain.

Coldness and heat alternate. Extremities cold while face is flushed. Heat from pelvis ascends upward. Sweat profuse during or after cramps. Clammy sweat in hysterical attacks.

Headaches occur with pelvic or spinal disturbances, often neuralgic or vascular in character. Pain is shooting or pressing, commonly frontal or vertex. Head may feel heavy, dull, and hot, especially during the menses. Occasional dizziness on standing, with blood rushing to the head. Headaches precede or accompany uterine neuralgia. Scalp sensitive to touch, particularly during menstruation.

Headaches occur with pelvic or spinal disturbances, often neuralgic or vascular in character. Pain is shooting or pressing, commonly frontal or vertex. Head may feel heavy, dull, and hot, especially during the menses. Occasional dizziness on standing, with blood rushing to the head. Headaches precede or accompany uterine neuralgia. Scalp sensitive to touch, particularly during menstruation.

Buzzing or ringing in ears, especially during uterine or spinal congestion. Sensation of fullness in ears with sudden sharp pains or tingling. Hearing may be momentarily dulled during intense neuralgia or circulatory disturbances.

Dryness and heat in the nostrils. Epistaxis (nosebleed) may occur in females as a substitute for menses. Coryza with acrid discharge in some neuralgic headaches. Sensitive to odours.

Face flushed during pain episodes, especially in dysmenorrhoea. Expression alternates between weariness and tension. Tingling or creeping sensations in the cheeks or jawline during circulatory changes. Facial pallor before menstruation, flushed during.

Dryness and tingling of the tongue. Sensation of burning on the lips or mucous membranes. Bitter taste in the morning. Mouth feels scalded during fevers or hot flushes. Increased salivation during uterine pain. Aphthous spots in debilitated states.

Toothache of neuralgic origin, worse at night or during menstruation. Pain felt in upper molars with shooting into zygomatic bone. Gums may feel sore or hot, particularly on right side.

Toothache of neuralgic origin, worse at night or during menstruation. Pain felt in upper molars with shooting into zygomatic bone. Gums may feel sore or hot, particularly on right side.

Oppression of the chest with a sense of fullness or heat during menstruation. Palpitations with nervous excitement or from spinal irritation. Pain shooting across the chest during uterine spasm. Breast tenderness around menses. Anxiety localised in the chest.

Palpitations irregular, with flushed face and trembling. Pulse full and bounding during pain episodes, but weak and irregular after. Sensation as if heart were too large or beating in the throat. Nervous fluttering from spinal or uterine excitation.

Shortness of breath during neuralgic episodes. Sighing or gasping for breath when in pain. Oppression of the chest worse when lying down. Cough may appear during menses and is dry, irritating.

Nausea during menstruation, especially in the early stages. Cramping or burning pain in epigastrium. Appetite poor during neuralgia; may crave acidic or spicy food. Belching relieves abdominal pressure. Vomiting in severe uterine pain.

Key symptom: Cramping, burning, shooting pains in the lower abdomen, often preceding menstruation. Sensation of fullness or congestion in pelvic region. Pain radiates to the groin, thighs, or sacrum. Neuralgic pains in the ovarian region, especially left side. Abdomen tender to touch. Painful flatulence and gurgling, with excessive wind.

Tenesmus during uterine pain. Constipation common before menses. Rectal pain radiates from uterus during dysmenorrhoea. Occasionally haemorrhoids appear as a vicarious outlet during suppressed menstruation.

Irritation and frequent urging, especially in women. Urine may be dark, scanty, and offensive. Straining to urinate during menstruation. Burning sensation from urethral irritation. Pain in bladder from nervous tension.

Craving for spicy, acrid, or pungent food. Aversion to cold water. Nausea from even small amounts of food. Poor appetite during menses.

Occasional indication in sexual debility with spinal irritation. Pain along the spermatic cords. Emissions from mere thought of coition, followed by exhaustion. Impotence from nervous shock or strain.

Primary action here. One of the strongest remedies for neuralgic and spasmodic dysmenorrhoea, especially with nervous or spinal irritation. The uterine region feels congested, hot, and tense, with cramping, shooting pains extending to groins or down thighs. Pain begins before the flow and is often relieved once the bleeding starts. Flow may be scanty but painful, bright red or clotted. Ovarian neuralgia, especially on the left side, with hypersensitivity. Threatened miscarriage with nervous spasms. Menstrual irregularity associated with emotional or mental disturbance. Leucorrhoea acrid, yellow, and irritating. Uterus feels enlarged or displaced. A remedy of the nervous, sensitive woman, often with hysterical features and spinal overstrain.

Marked action on spinal cord and lumbosacral nerves. Burning, drawing, or shooting pain in the lower back, especially in connection with uterine disturbances. Back pain worsens before or during menstruation. Sensation of tightness or stiffness in the cervical spine, with radiation to shoulders. Spinal sensitivity to touch. Tired, weak feeling in the back after nervous exertion.

Tingling, numbness, or formication in the arms and legs, especially the lower limbs. Restlessness in legs at night. Cramps in calves or soles, particularly during menstruation. Fingers may feel stiff and painful, especially in cold weather. Trembling of hands during uterine pains or nervous stress.

Itching with crawling sensations. Skin hypersensitive, especially over the spine. Flushes of heat, with perspiration. Eruptions rare but may occur as small red patches during febrile states. Dry, cracked skin on fingers or lips.

• Cimicifuga – Neuralgic dysmenorrhoea with mental symptoms; more uterine sinking and gloominess
• Magnesia phosphorica – Spasmodic pains better by heat and pressure; lacks vascular symptoms
• Pulsatilla – Irregular menses with emotional gentleness; Xan. is more vascular and burning
• Belladonna – Sudden violent pains with throbbing heat and congestion; Xan. more cramping and less acute
• Caulophyllum – Useful in uterine atony and labour pains; Xan. better suited for nerve irritation with vascular overactivity

• Complementary: Magnesia phos., Caulophyllum
• Follows well: Belladonna, Aconite
• Antidotes: Camphora
• Inimical: Sepia (in highly sensitive patients)

• Key remedy in neuralgic dysmenorrhoea, especially with spinal sensitivity
• Valuable in spinal irritation in women with uterine complaints
• Use in menstrual headaches, when pains are vascular and shooting
• Particularly suited for young, nervous, irritable girls during puberty
• Use in low to medium potencies (6C to 30C) for acute pain; 200C reserved for constitutional cases

Female

• Menses, painful before flow
• Dysmenorrhoea, neuralgic
• Uterus, pain, burning
• Leucorrhoea, acrid, yellow

Back

• Pain, lumbosacral
• Spinal irritation, sensitive
• Pain, extending to thighs

Generalities

• Neuralgia, burning, shooting
• Worse cold air
• Better pressure

Extremities

• Numbness, lower limbs
• Cramps, calves
• Tingling, feet

Mind

• Irritability, before menses
• Restlessness, nervous
• Anxiety, during pain

• E.M. Hale – New Remedies: Original proving and primary clinical documentation on uterine neuralgia
• William Boericke – Pocket Manual of Homoeopathic Materia Medica: Condensed overview of gynaecological and neuralgic uses
• John Henry Clarke – Dictionary of Practical Materia Medica: Confirmed symptoms related to spinal irritation and vascular action
• T.F. Allen – Encyclopedia of Pure Materia Medica: Contributed proving symptoms on uterine and nervous system involvement
• C. Hering – Guiding Symptoms of Our Materia Medica: Validated modalities and mental state