prickly ash
Zanthoxylum americanum · Accepted scientific name
Scientific literature: Very Extensive (302 studies) · ★★★★★
Prickly ash, scientifically known as Zanthoxylum americanum, is a versatile medicinal shrub native to North America. Renowned for its aromatic, pungent bark, it has historically been used in traditional herbalism to treat digestive issues, respiratory ailments, and skin irritations, offering potent antimicrobial and analgesic properties for holistic wellness.
Names
Common Names
- American prickly-ash
- northern prickly-ash
- toothache tree
- prickly-ash
- common prickly ash
- northern prickly ash
- prickly ash
- common prickly-ash
Regional and Traditional Names
Spanish:
- Thylax fraxineum
- Zanthoxylum mite
- Zanthoxylum ramiflorum
- Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium
- Zanthoxylum fraxineum
French:
- clavalier d'Amérique
- frêne épineux
- clavalier d'Amérique
- frêne épineux
- clavalier d’Amérique
Scientific Names
Accepted name
Zanthoxylum americanumSynonyms
- Thylax fraxineum
- Mioptrila odorata
- Zanthoxylum fraxineum
- Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium
- Zanthoxylum ramiflorum
- Zanthoxylum mite
- Zanthoxylum americanum f. armatius
- Zanthoxylum americanum f. impuniens
- Zanthoxylum clava-herculis var. americanum
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Sapindales and the family Rutaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Zanthoxylum, specifically as the species Zanthoxylum americanum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Rutaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Zanthoxylum | WCVP |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across parts of North America. In Eastern Canada, its presence is noted in the provinces of Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Québec. Moving into the North-Central United States, the species can also be found within the state of Illinois. Additionally, its distribution extends into the state of Iowa. Together, these locations highlight the specific regional habitats where the species thrives.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern Canada | Nova Scotia | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Ontario | WCVP |
| Eastern Canada | Québec | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Illinois | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Iowa | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Kansas | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Minnesota | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Missouri | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | North Dakota | WCVP |
| North-Central U.S.A. | Nebraska | WCVP |
Chemicals
Zanthoxylum americanum has 29 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alloxanthoxyletin, Xanthoxyletin, Xanthyletin, (+)-Laurifoline, Asarinin.
| Chemical | Supporting sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Alloxanthoxyletin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Xanthoxyletin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Xanthyletin | 2 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Laurifoline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Asarinin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| BETA-SITOSTEROL | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candicine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Cnidilin | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Dipetaline | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Herclavine | 1 supporting sources | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Alloxanthoxyletin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Xanthoxyletin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Xanthyletin
- Dr. Duke
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
(+)-Laurifoline
- Dr. Duke
Asarinin
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
BETA-SITOSTEROL
- Dr. Duke
Candicine
- Dr. Duke
Cnidilin
- Dr. Duke
Dipetaline
- Phytotherapy research : PTR
Herclavine
- Dr. Duke
Activities
Zanthoxylum americanum has 244 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Cytotoxic, (+)-Inotropic, 12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient.
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Consensus |
|---|---|---|
| Cytotoxic | Dr. Duke (and other 2 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-Inotropic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 12-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 5-Lipoxygenase-Inhibitor | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Abortifacient | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenolytic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Adrenostimulant | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Amebicide | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Analgesic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Androgenic | Dr. Duke (and other 1 sources) | ★☆☆☆☆ |