Prickly ash (Rutaceae)

Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a deciduous shrub or small tree growing to about 10 ft (3 m), featuring thorny gray branches and compound leaves. Its bark and berries have a warming, stimulating effect on circulation, offering relief for rheumatic pains, digestive sluggishness, and conditions like Raynaud’s disease (cold extremities) and intermittent claudication.

Circulatory Stimulant & Antirheumatic: Improves blood flow to stiff joints, beneficial for arthritis, rheumatic pain, and poor peripheral circulation (Raynaud’s disease). Carminative & Diaphoretic: Helps relieve gas, mild digestive issues, and promotes sweating in fevers. Alterative (Blood Purifier): Some herbal traditions use it to enhance the removal of waste products. Analgesic (Anodyne): Berries and bark were historically chewed to alleviate toothache and other pains.

Pregnancy & Lactation: Avoid, as it can stimulate circulation and possibly affect uterine function. General: Considered relatively safe in moderate amounts, but professional guidance is advised if taking regularly.

Native to southern Canada and northern/central U.S. regions, prickly ash grows in moist, shady woodland areas. It’s propagated by seed in autumn. The bark is harvested in spring; berries in summer.