Fraxinus. Fraxinus americana.

Synonyms—Black Ash, Elder Leaved Ash, or White Ash.

PREPARATIONS—

Specific fraxinus, ten to sixty drops.

The Homeopathic mother tincture, same dosage.

Specific Symptomatology—Uterine disease, depending upon sub-involution. Dragging pains in the lower abdomen—great weight; a sensation of hardness extending into the vagina; irregular lochial or menstrual discharge; general plethora; constant headaches, with soreness and pain in the top head.

Accompanying these symptoms there is a sore spot on the top of the head which is hot, and where if continued the hair becomes stiff and brittle.

This is often accompanied with persistent headache difficult to control. The headache is not influenced by eating or sleeping. It resembles an anemic headache as it is more or less constant, unless relieved by the recumbent position or by a position in which the hips are raised and the head lowered.

Therapy—In uterine diseases, where there is no permanent organic change, Dr. Shafer gave this remedy first place. He used it for several years, and his observations should carry weight. It is indicated in uterine tumors, of somewhat speedy growth, and in hypertrophy of the uterus. Where the tumors are of long-standing its influence is less satisfactory. It influences cell proliferation in hypertrophy, assisting in the reduction of size of an enlarged organ and in the restoration of a correct position, normal function and normal size.

One patient had a sensation of much weight in the lower abdomen with a sensation of hardness extending down into the vagina, pressure in the rectum, hard and enlarged cervix, greatly enlarged womb, constant sensations of desire to pass urine with no relief when passed. The organ was reduced to normal size in four months' time, by the persistent use of twenty minim doses of this remedy four times daily. No other agent was used.

Another case of hypertrophy, resulting from a miscarriage, was as satisfactorily cured. Cases of subinvolution, following a poor getting up, after labor, were satisfactorily cured with this remedy alone. The agent must be given immediately following confinement in those cases where convalescence threatens to be protracted.

One young lady, severely injured by falling from a carriage, had severe uterine inflammation, which left chronic enlargement, as its result. She had been told that hysterectomy only would cure. The organ was enlarged to six times its usual size, though she was only eighteen years old. She was completely cured with this remedy alone.

Prior to the use of this remedy, for uterine disorders, it was recommended as one that influences the chylopoietic viscera. In large doses it will induce active purgation. It has found a place in the treatment of diseases of the liver or spleen, in that form known as ague cake, resulting in obesity, dropsical affections and constipation.

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.