Xanthoxylum,—Prickly Ash.

Source and Composition. The bark of Xanthoxylum Americanum (nat. ord. Rutaceae). It contains an alkaloid,—Xanthoxyline (identical with Berberine),—a Volatile and a Fixed Oil, Gum, Resin, etc. Dose, gr. x-xxx.

Preparations.

Extractum, Xanthoxyli Fluidum, ♏︎x-ʒj.

*Decoctum Xanthoxyli, ℥j to the quart. Dose, a pint during 24 hours in divided doses.

Physiological Action. The taste of Xanthoxylum is aromatic, soon becoming acrid and bitter. It is a local and systemic sialogogue, causing profuse salivation, with tingling in the tongue, and increased secretion from stomachs, intestines, liver and pancreas. It is also diaphoretic and diuretic, increases the action of the heart, and raises the arterial tension.

Therapeutics. Xanthoxylum is efficient in—

Chronic Pharyngitis,—the Fluid Extr., ♏︎x-xxx, internally, the Decoction locally, as a gargle, give very good results in bad cases.

Jaundice from catarrh of the bile ducts,—it is highly serviceable.

Chronic Rheumatism, myalgia, lumbago, etc. ,—it has a high reputation.

Constitutional Syphilis,—is well treated by Xanthoxylum, as an alterative.

Toothache,—the root or bark chewed is a popular remedy.

Paralysis of the Tongue,—is said to be removed by chewing the root.

A Compend of Materia Medica, Therapeutics, and Prescription Writing, 1902, by Sam'l O. L. Potter, M.D., M.R.C.P.L.