-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Xanthoxylum spp. (Prickly Ash)
Botanicals

definition

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.