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Zanthoxylum americanum (Rutaceae)
PRICKLY ASH, TOOTHBRUSH BUSH
North American Indians used this
herb for toothache. Herbalists now give the bark and berries for
inflammatory disorders and poor digestion. Chinese medicine uses it for
similar purposes.
North American Indians used prickly ash to cure the excruciating pain of toothache.
It was brought to Europe in the mid-19th century for the same purpose but is now
also a recognized circulatory stimulant and has a wide application in natural medicine.
Found only in the United States on rich woodland soil, it is a shrub with palm
shaped leaves and sharp spines on its branches. Flowers appear in early spring.
PARTS USED
Bark, berries.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Quaternary alkaloids, including chelerythrine, magnoflorine, nitidine,
and laurifoline; pyranocoumarins, including xanthyletin and xanthoxyletin; volatile oil.
ACTIONS
Circulatory stimulant; local counterirritant; induces sweating; antirheumatic; promotes saliva production.
MEDICINAL USE
Used to treat skin, joint and general inflammatory disorders when sluggish circulation is a factor,
and for debilitated digestion associated with colic and flatulence. In Chinese medicine, prickly ash is prescribed for very similar conditions.
PREPARATIONS
Decoction, tincture, tablets. |
