Medicinal Plants : Zanthoxylum americanum

Name

Toothache Tree

Biological Name

Zanthoxylum alatum, Zanthoxylum americanum
Rutaceae

Other Names

Tumbru, Toothache Tree, Tejbal, Prickly Ash
Yellow wood, Suterberry

Parts Used

Bark, carpels, carpels of fruits, seeds

Active Compounds

Bark:

Alkaloids: g-fagarine, b-fagarine (-skimmianine), magnoflorine, laurifoline, nitidine, chelerythrine, tambetarine and candicine

Coumarins: xanthyletin, zanthoxyletin, alloxanthyletin

Resin, tannin, volatile oil.

Remedies For

Action

Branches, fruit and thorns: carminative, stomachic

Bark and Berries: alterative, anti-rheumatic, carminative, diaphoretic, hepatic, stimulant, tonic.

Uses

asthma
bronchitis
cholera
fever
fibrositis
indigestion
rheumatism
skin diseases
toothache
varicose veins

Prickly Ash is used in many chronic problems such a rheumatism and skin diseases; chilblains, cramp in the leg, varicose veins and varicose ulcers. It is also used for low blood pressure, fever, and inflammation. Externally it may be used as a stimulation liniment for rheumatism and fibrositis. It has a stimulating effect upon the lymphatic system, circulation and mucous membranes.

Description

This shrub is found in North America, India, and Bhutan.

Dosage

Bark-infusion, decoction

Infusion: Pour a cup of boiling water onto 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the bark and let infuse for 10-15 minutes. Drink this three times a day.

Tincture: take 1-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Safety

No information about the safety of this herb is available.
Use caution. Ayurvedic herbs are often taken in combination with others to neutralize the toxicity one herb with the opposing effect of other. Do not take except under the supervision of a qualified professional.