Zanthoxylum clava-herculis.- Southern prickly ash
Z. americanum.- Northern prickly ash, Xanthoxyllum fraxinium, X. americanum Prickly ash, American prickly ash   Family: Rutaceae
PART USED: Bark
TASTE: Pungent and bitter, causing salivation ODOR: Slight
ACTIONS
GROUP: The circulation system - Herbs for the veins & peripheral circulation
1. Antirheumatic.[1,2,3] Circulatory stimulant.[1] Analgesic.[3]
2. Bitter tonic.[2]
3. Diaphoretic.[1,2,3]
4. Alterative.[2] Antipyretic.[3]
5. Carminative.[1,3] Antidiarrheal.[3]
6. Sialagogue.[1]
INDICATIONS
1. Insufficient peripheral circulation.[1,2] Raynaud’s syndrome.[1,2] Intermittent claudication.[1,2] Chronic rheumatic disorders.[1,2] Cramps.[1,2] Rheumatism.[3] Insufficient circulation.[3]
2. Atonic dyspepsia. Intestinal colic.
3. Nervous headaches. Paralysis of mouth and tongue. Toothache.[3]
4. Chronic gynaecological problems.
5. Liver disorders including hypoactivity.
6. Asthma.
7. Intermittent fevers. Fevers.[3]
8. General stimulant. Tonic.[3]
SPECIFIC INDICATIONS: Peripheral circulatory insufficiency, associated with rheumatic symptoms.[1]
COMBINATIONS
- Deficient circulation, use with Myrica cerifera- Bayberry bark and Zingiber officinalis- Ginger.
- Rheumatism, use with Guaiacum, Menyanthes and Capsicum annuum.
PREPARATIONS:   3X /day
Dried bark  1-3 g,[1,2] or by decoction[1] 1:20.
Fluid extract  1: 1  in 45% alcohol 1-3 ml.[1,3]
Dried berries  0.5-1.5 g.
Tincture  1:5  in 45% alcohol  2-5 ml.[1,2]
       
PART USED: Berries- Dried full grown.
TASTE: Pungent and bitter ODOR: Aromatic
ACTIONS and INDICATIONS Similar to the bark, but more active in promoting circulation.[1]
PREPARATIONS
Dried berries 0.5-1.5 g.[1,2,3]
Liquid Extract 1:1 in 45% alcohol 0.5-1.5 ml.[1]
        
ORIGIN: Canada and USA
DESCRIPTION
 Bark: Northern prickly ash bark occurs in curved or quilled fragments about 1 mm thick, externally brownish grey, faintly furrowed with whitish patches and flattened spines about 5 mm long.
Southern prickly ash is about 2 mm thick, with conical, corky spines up to 2 cm long. Fracture short, green in the outer and yellow in the inner part.
References
Inner Path can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Similar plants
Constituents
Research
Chelerythrine is antimicrobial.[1]
References
[1] Potter's New Cyclopaedia of Botanical Drugs and Preparations  R.C. Wren Revised by Elizabeth M. Williamson and Fred J Evans. First published in Great Britain in 1988 and reprinted in 1989 and 1994 by the C. W. Daniel Company Limited. 1 Church Path, Saffron Walden Essex. Published 1988 Printed and bound by Biddles, Guildford ISBN 085207 1973.

Activity of Zanthoxylum clava-herculis extracts against multi-drug resistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (mdr-MRSA).
Gibbons S, Leimkugel J, Oluwatuyi M, Heinrich M.
Abstract
In a continuing search for compounds with antibiotic activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) possessing multidrug ef flux systems, we have demonstrated activity associated with extracts from Southern prickly ash bark, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis. Bioassay-guided isolation of an alkaloid extract led to the characterization of the benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloid chelerythrine as the major active principle. This compound exhibited potent activity against strains of MRSA, which were highly resistant to clinically useful antibiotics via multidrug ef flux mechanisms.
Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 12672160 DOI: 10.1002/ptr.1112  Phytother Res. 2003 Mar;17(3):274-5. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov