Prickly Ask Bark (Zanthoxylum clava herculis)

Prickly Ask Bark (Zanthoxylum clava herculis)
    Code: s390
    Price: $9.00
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    Prickly Ash Bark, (Zanthoxylum clava herculis) 1.5 Ounces 
    Commonly referred to as northern prickly ash, is an herbal supplement often used to treat joint pain, arthritis, circulation problems, and more. Prickly ash comes from the plant family of the Rue (Rutaceae) genus. Other names for prickly ash include toothache bark, zanthoxylum, suterberry, Angelica tree, pepper wood, Chuan jiao, clavalier, toothache tree, and yellow wood.

    The perennial plant grows as either a shrub or a tree that can grow up to 26 feet in height. The plant has dark brown branches with prickles that are up to a half an inch long—thus the name prickly ash. The twigs of the prickly ash shrub/tree have a strong smell, mimicking that of lemon peel. The small leaf buds are red and woolly, and greenish-yellow flowers appear in spring before its dark green leaves emerge. In late summer the fruit ripens, turning from its original green color to reddish brown.  

    Prickly ash is native to Missouri. It grows in most areas of the state (except for in the Ozarks region), as well as other areas in Eastern North America. It is commonly found in moist ravines, thickets, and woods, as well as upland rocky bluffs and hillsides and open wooded areas. There is also an Asian version (which has some of the same properties as prickly ash) called crow prickly ash. 

    Historically, many Native American tribes used prickly ash as a medicinal herb. The natives used an infusion of the bark to treat everything from itchy skin to back pain. They used prickly ash to treat cramps, fevers, colds,lung conditions, toothaches, and sore throats. Natives also used prickly ash to treat pain after childbirth as well as colic in babies.

    Prickly ash is commonly used to promote blood flow throughout the body, specifically for the treatment of rheumatism. Rheumatism (including various types of arthritis) is any disease involving pain and swelling or inflammation of the joints, ligaments, and muscles.

    Prickly ash is said to help improve rheumatism and alleviate joint pain by improving the peripheral (local) blood flow supply that carries much-needed nutrients to help repair cartilage tissue and regenerate joint and disc damage.