botanical name(s): Xanthoxylum americanum, Xanthoxylum clava-herculis
synonyms: prickly ash, toothache tree, toothache bush, yellow wood; zanthoxylum
part(s) used: bark, berries
qualities: sweet, bitter, neutral
affinities: lymphatics, intestines, lungs, vasculature
actions: antirheumatic, analgesic, diaphoretic, carminative, antipyretic, antidiarrheal, stimulant, lymphatic stimulant, circulatory stimulant, tonic, alterative
dosage:
» decoction: bark; 1 oz. root to 1 pint water; 1 cup three times daily
» infusion: berries; 1 oz. to 1 pint water, drink 1 cup three times daily
» tincture: 1 - 3 ml.
therapy: rheumatism, skin disease, cramping in leg, varicose veins, colds, influenza, gastrointestinal disturbance, bad circulation; it is used both internally and externally to treat rheumatism and toothache, for fevers and as a tonic, and for circulatory insufficiency
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b
toxicity: 2
» contraindicated in pregnancy due to its emmengogoue effect (Brooks, Felter and Lloyd)
» contraindicated for nursing mothers, probably since it can irritate the stomach (Brooks)
» contraindicated in acute stomach and/or intestinal ulcers or inflammation, due to its stimulation of gastrointestinal mucosal secretions (Brinker, Felter and Lloyd)
» protoberberine alkaloids have a potential for developing photosensitivity reactions and acting as carcinogens (Philogene et al)
constituents:
» bark: alkaloids; coumarins
» X. americanum: xanthyletin, xanthoxyletin, alloxanthyletin
» X. clava-herculis: amides; asarinin, a lignan. In both: resin, tannin, volatile oil
footnotes
Brinker F. 1989. To Health With Herbs (from Eclectic Dispensatory of Botanical Therapeutics. vol. I, Alstat E (comp.)), Portland, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Brooks S (ed.). 1995. Botanical Toxicology. Protocol J Bot. Med, 1:147-58.
Felter, H. W., and Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.
Philogene, B.J.R.; Arnason, J.T., Towers, G.H.N., Abramowski, Z., Campos, F., Champagne, D., McLachan, D. 1984. Berberine: a naturally occurring phototoxic alkaloid. New York: Plenum Publishing Corp.