Prickly ash (toothache tree)

Zanthoxylum americanum

Edible plant

Native American

Photo credit: A. Barra

Toxicity: Low at customary use; can cause oral tingling/numbness; large amounts GI upset.

Contraindications: Pregnancy (stimulant/emmenagogue reputation); caution with bleeding (mild circulatory effect).

Interactions: Theoretical with anticoagulants.

Pregnancy & breastfeeding: Pregnancy: stimulant/emmenagogue reputation — caution.

Evidence level

Preclinical

Supported by laboratory or animal studies; not yet confirmed in humans.

decoction · bark

Part used: bark

Evidence:Folk

poultice · bark

Part used: bark

Evidence:Folk

chewed bark/berry · bark

Part used: bark

Traditional use: toothache and numbing/tingling (counterirritant); decoctions for rheumatism, sore throat, circulatory stimulant ('blood mover')

Proposed mechanism: alkaloids and aromatic amides producing local numbing/saliva-stimulating (sialagogue) effect

Evidence:Preclinical

Edible parts: Berries used as a pungent flavoring/Sichuan-pepper relative (related genus); generally a spice, not a staple.

Confirm species.

Aromatic spice; minor.

Native American

Sources (2)