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.