Prickly Ash Bark

History:

Prickly Ash is a beautiful, deciduous tree that is a native of North America, growing anywhere from four to about twenty-five feet in height and may be found in woodlands and on riverbanks, thriving in damp, fertile, well-drained soil in sun or shade. The Northern Prickly Ash is one of over two hundred species of the botanical genus, Zanthoxylum, whose name is said to be derived from the Greek words, zanthos and xylum (ξανθὸν ξύλον), meaning "yellow wood." True to its name, the Prickly Ash's branchlets are loaded with thorns and also produce alternately-growing, pinnate leaves, and the bruised foliage exudes a delicious, resinous citrus-orange-like fragrance. The evergreen tree (or shrub) also bears small, yellowish-green flowers that grow in clusters from April through June, before the leaves appear, and they are followed by small, red, edible berries. Prickly Ash Bark was widely used by numerous Native American tribes used it for teeth, joints, throat, and as a wash for itchy skin. In the case of teeth, a piece of the bark was apparently inserted into the tooth cavity for the ache, but it was never clear whether help was due to its actual anodyne effects or distraction of attention caused by irritation produced by the bark (although it is interesting to note that rubbing the berries on the skin is said to produce a numbing effect). Native Americans shared their knowledge of the herb with settlers, and Prickly Ash soon became popular for joints and teeth (giving the tree several of its common names, "Toothache Tree," etc.). The herb was included in Dr. Jacob Bigelow's monumental, three-volume American Medical Botany of 1817-1820, and he noted: "Many physicians place great reliance on its powers in rheumatic complaints." Prickly Ash Bark became official in the United States Pharmacopœia from 1820 to 1926 for rheumatism, gas and loose bowels. Although it was a widely-used traditional American support for teeth and joints, John Nash introduced the herb into mainstream medicine in the nineteenth century, when he used it for typhus and cholera epidemics. Today, herbalists still specify Prickly Ash Bark to support joints and muscles and also for blood circulation. Prickly Ash Bark is a spicy, warming, stimulant herb, and it is said to act in the same manner as Cayenne, but with a somewhat slower action. The bark and fruits are used in herbal preparations, and the essential oils are used in perfumery. Some of the constituents contained in Prickly Ash Bark include alkaloids (chelerythrine, magnoflorine, laurifoline, nitidine, tambetarine, candicine and gamma- and beta-fagarine), coumarins (xanthyletin, zanthoxyletin and alloxanthyletin), an aromatic bitter oil (xanthoxylin), tannin, volatile oils and resin.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) to three (3) capsules, one (1) time each day with water at an early to midday mealtime.

Contraindications:
Pregnant and nursing women should not use Prickly Ash Bark Herbal Supplement, nor should those who experience stomach inflammation or intestinal ulcers. Use of Prickly Ash Bark may cause one to become more sensitive to sunlight and burn more easily.

Capsule Information:
Our Prickly Ash Bark supplements are encapsulated in 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose, Certified Kosher, size "00" Capsules.(click here for size comparison) Each capsule contains approximately 600 mgs.

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Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.