Nutritional Supplement

Prickly Ash

Also indexed as: Ash (Prickly), Zanthoxylum americanum, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis

How to Use It

A tea of prickly ash is made by simmering 1–2 teaspoons (5–10 grams) of the bark for 10–15 minutes. Three cups (750 ml) per day are recommended.13 Alternatively, a tincture, 1/2–3/4 teaspoon (2–4 ml) three times per day, may also be used.13 Prickly ash is best taken just before meals. Traditionally, the bark was chewed to relieve tooth pain.15

References

1. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, rev ed. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, 304-5.

2. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1998, 160-1.

3. Schulz V, Hänsel R, Tyler VE. Rational Phytotherapy: A Physician's Guide to Herbal Medicine. 3rd ed, Berlin: Springer, 1998, 168-73.

4. Blumenthal M, Busse WR, Goldberg A, et al. (eds). The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin: American Botanical Council and Boston: Integrative Medicine Communications, 1998, 425-6.

5. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, rev ed. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, 304-5.

6. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1998, 160-1.

7. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1998, 160-1.

8. Vogel VJ. American Indian Medicine. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970, 352-4.

9. Felter HW. Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1922, 1998, 697-8.

10. Foster S. 101 Medicinal Herbs. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1998, 160-1.

11. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element, 1990, 225.

12. Bensky D, Gamble A, Kaptchuk T. Chinese Herbal Medicine Materia Medica, rev ed. Seattle: Eastland Press, 1993, 304-5.

13. Hoffmann D. The New Holistic Herbal, 3rd ed. Shaftesbury, Dorset, UK: Element, 1990, 225.

14. Vogel VJ. American Indian Medicine. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1970, 352-4.

15. Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998, 113.

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.