Herb: Xanthoxylum Americanum

(Common name: Prickly Ash )

Classification

• Kingdom- Plantae
• (Unranked)- Angiosperms
• (Unranked)- Eudicots
• (Unranked)- Rosids
• Order- Sapindales
• Family- Rutaceae
• Family- Rutaceae
• Species- Z. americanum

History

Prickly ash is commonly known as common ash which is an aromatic shrub. It is native to central and eastern portions of United States and Canada.

Zanthoxylum consists of almost 250 species and this particular species is mostly found in northern United States which includes many countries.

It is a most valued medicinal herb which is used from historical times for different kinds of ailments.

Plant Description

Prickly ash is an open shade tree that has pinnate leaves and alternate branches which are covered with sharp and strong prickles.

The fruit black or blue berries develop in clusters enclosed in grey shell and bears from the top of the branches.

The plant grows to a height of 10 meters with a diameter of 15 cm.

Cultivation

Prickly ash is cultivated in parts of America and Canada. Generally is propagated through seeds during autumn.

Bark of this shrub is harvested in spring whereas berries are collected in summer.

Parts Used

Root-bark and berries

Constituents

Prickly ash contains various constituents such as alkaloids, tannins, resins and volatile oil.

Uses

• Prickly ash herb is known to be a valued medicine to treat disease like rheumatism and arthritis.
• Even in therapeutic activities prickly ash's bark and extracted oils are used to treat joint pains which help in stimulating the flow of blood.
• The extracts of this herb also treats the disorders like tooth decay, toxic shock syndrome.
• The berries of prickly ash are useful in gastro problems, diarrhea and keeping digestive system on track.

Names

• BENGALI: Gaira.
• BURMESE: Gawra kha nan nan, Teza bo.
• CHINESE : Ci zhu ye hua jiao, Qin jiao (Taiwan), Zhu ye jiao (as Z. planispinum).
• ENGLISH: Bamboo-leaved prickly ash, Nepal pepper, Prickly ash, Toothache tree, winged prickly ash, Wingleaf prickly ash.
• GERMAN: Nepalpfeffer.
• HINDI: Darman, Darmar (as Z. alatum), Tejbal, Tejpal, Tejphal, Tumru.
• JAPANESE : Fuyu zanshou.
• KANNADA: Dhiva, Jimmi, Tumburudu.
• KOREAN : Gae san cho (as Z. planispinum).
• LAOTIAN: Mad.
• MALAYALAM: Thumbunalari (as Z. alatum), Tumpunal, Tumpuni.
• NEPALESE: Timbur, Timur.
• SANSKRIT: Tejohwa (as Z. alatum), Tejpal, Tumburu, Tumburuh.
• TAMIL: Tumpunalu.
• TELUGU: Gandhalu, Konda kasimi.
• THAI: Mak kak (Northern Thailand).
• VIETNAMESE: Sn gai.