Aesculus. Aesculus glabra.

Synonym—Buckeye.

CONSTITUENTS—

A poisonous principle acting like nux vomica.

PREPARATIONS—

Specific Aesculus. Dose, from one-tenth of a minim to five minims.

Physiological Action—Aesculus Glabra acts on the cerebro-spinal system; and in toxic doses causes vertigo, vomiting, wryneck, opisthotonos, tympanites, stupor, coma and death.

Therapy—Aesculus Glabra is a narcotic, but actively stimulates the nervous system somewhat like nux vomica. It has a special influence on the capillary circulation of the rectum, and on the pelvic and portal circulations and overcomes constipation and congestion associated with hemorrhoids, and aids in the absorption of the coagulated blood in hemorrhoidal tumors where a surgical operation is not deemed advisable. It lessens the caliber of the capillary vessels, and removes obstructions to the pelvic circulation, and is applicable whenever congestion results in hemorrhoids, or in enlargement of the uterus.

Concerning the application of this remedy for piles, Dr. Bloyer in The Gleaner said the piles are usually large and purple. They rarely bleed. There may be a sense of fullness in the rectum or there may be dryness with stricture of the rectum, causing a proctitis, all of which is relieved by this remedy as well also as the headache, backache and digestive or asthmatic disturbances, which are reflexly induced.

In paralysis it is a stimulant similar to strychnine. As a narcotic it acts similarly to opium but has much less narcotic power.

The American Materia Medica, Therapeutics and Pharmacognosy, 1919, was written by Finley Ellingwood, M.D.
It was scanned by Michael Moore for the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine.