Also known as toothache tree, it is native to Canada and America. northern prickly ash is Z. americanum and southern prickly ash is Z. clava-herculis. In both cases the bark is used in herbal medicine and berries are also of some use. Another species growing in Asia is called Chinese prickly ash, Z. bungeanum.
Medicinal Properties of Prickly Ash
The bark contains alkaloids, in particular chlerythrine, which is antimicrobial. It also consists of the cinnamamide – herclavin, and some volatile oils, tannins and resins. Northern prickly ash contains coumarins, and southern prickly ash contains the lignan, asarinin and the amides, herculin and neoherculin, which are thought to be anaesthetic in action. The herb is anti-rheumatic, analgesic, circulatory, and digestive stimulant, diaphoretic (induces swelling), carminative (wind relieving), antipyretic (reduces fever) and antidiarrhoeal. Berries are richer in the volatile oil.
Prickly Ash Herbal Remedies
Historically Prickly Ash has been used to treat a number of conditions including:
Arthritis
Chilblains
Diarrhoea
Fevers
Indigestion
Intermittent claudication
Intestinal parasites (Chinese prickly ash)
Poor circulation
Poor digestion and saliva stimulation
Raynaud’s disease
Rheumatic conditions
Sore throats
Toothache
Varicose veins
Other Prickly Ash Information
The berries or powdered bark of Prickly Ash can be used to make a herbal tea, although the bark is often found in licensed herbal products aimed at treating arthritis and rheumatism. A qualified herbalist can advise on other Prickly Ash preparations.
Side Effects of Prickly Ash
The safety of prickly ash during pregnancy and lactation has been studied (British Herbal Compendium Vol 1) and it should be avoided.
It has been suggested that it may aggravate certain digestive disorders due to its stimulating effects, these include stomach and duodenal ulcers, ulcerative colitis and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease.
At the time of writing there are no other well known side effects, drug interactions or contra-indications.
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