UPDATE: Lost Empire Herbs Elderberry 64:1 Full Spectrum Extract Powder
BACK IN STOCK but limited!

Prickly Ash Bark Health Benefits and Side Effects [2022 Comprehensive List]

The Prickly Ash is a shrub or small tree native to the Eastern and Central part of the United States and Canada. Known scientifically as Zanthoxylum Americanum, the berries, leaves and bark of this plant have been used medicinally for more than a century. A similar tree species, the southern prickly ash is Zanthoxylum clava-herculis.

In particular, its bark is the main source of its healing properties.The bark is used to make a tea, brew, or herbal tincture and may come in dried broken pieces or powder. They are commercially available, many times as dried extract powder, and are deemed by the FDA as generally safe.

Prickly Ash is also referred to as the Yellow tree. In different areas throughout the world, it is also called Toothache Bark, Pepper Wood, Clavalier, Common Pricklyash, Toothache Bark, Prickly elder and Angelica tree. While not native to Japan, many practitioners of alternative holistic herbal health in that country turn to this bark for it’s many and varied health benefits. Let’s discuss those further now and then later we’ll look at any potential side effects.

Health Benefits of Prickly Ash Bark

The bark is widely used in the field of medicine. Its essential medicinal uses and benefits are listed below.

  • Supports blood circulation in the body
  • Removes blood impurities
  • Improves low blood pressure
  • Energizes the body
  • Cures leg cramps
  • Soothes cold feeling of the body.
  • Treats varicose veins.
  • Relieves leg cramps
  • Soothes arthritis and rheumatism
  • Is helpful for muscle and joint pains
  • Is used to ease stomach aches and cramps
  • Treats ulcers
  • Is helpful in digestion
  • Prevents respiratory disorders
  • Is beneficial for asthma
  • Improves nervous system
  • Cleanses and heals wounds
  • Kills parasites and microbes
  • Cleanses the body
  • Eases joint pain
  • Removes body toxins
  • Acts as carminative
  • Prevents muscle spasms
  • Relieves chronic pain
  • Is used for sore throats
  • Treat mouth sores
  • Helps in treating itchy skin
  • Treats skin infections
  • Treats skin chaps and cracks
  • Improves nutrition
  • Eases the pain caused by gonorrhoea and treats it
  • Can be helpful in treating flatulence and diarrhea
  • Is antifungal
  • Soothes toothaches
  • Benefits the teeth and gums by acting as an astringent
  • Serves as an effective insect repellent and natural insecticide

The prickly ash bark’s main benefits revolve around its capability of improving blood circulation. Through this, it also improves the conditions which are related to poor blood flow.

It is beneficial for conditions like abdominal chills, leg cramping, varicose veins, and lymphatic circulation. It can even help in treating Raynaud’s syndrome. The pains and discomfort to muscles, bones and joints can also be relieved by Prickly Ash bark. As it improves the blood flow, it is also helpful in treating arthritis and rheumatism.

Prickly Ash bark is also proven to have helpful medicinal uses surrounding the chemical compound herculin on the mucus membranes, thus preventing and treating some respiratory disorders. It soothes the mucus linings and will help in better absorption of nutrients from the foods we eat.

Fatigue, anxiety, and weakness can likewise be treated with Prickly Ash bark. It boosts the functions of nervous system through easing the nerves throughout the body. It can also be useful as an energizer.

This herb is also proven to be beneficial in the digestive system. It can also help in treating gas formation on the intestine, and can protect the stomach. It is also believed to help in the removal of waste in the body. Moreover, it also eliminates worms and parasites.

Lastly, this bark has medicinal uses in making creams and ointments to treat various skin conditions. It can act as a soothing agent for some inflammations, cracks, and skin eruptions.

Prickly Ash bark has been used medicinally for more than 100 years and while medicinal properties have yet to be fully studied, anyone could start benefiting from this all-natural remedy.

Side Effects of Prickly Ash Bark

While this section deals specifically with the bark, please note that very little is known medically about the potential side effects of the berry.

Prickly Ash Bark raises blood pressure so should be avoided by anyone suffering from already high blood pressure and since it stimulates stomach acid, those already suffering from intestinal and digestive issues strictly related to overproduction of stomach acid should beware as it will further irritate stomach problems.

Further since not enough evidence exists, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its use.




Lastly, I want you to know that I personally get almost all of my herbs from Lost Empire Herbs. Their sourcing is the best in the business and many of their herbs are grown in the USA. Click here to learn about their patented Full-Spectrum Extraction process and get 15% off your first order! Tip: Be sure to sign up for their newsletter at the top.

Join our newsletter to hear some of the latest unique research and insights in the world of all-natural, herbal health. Don't worry - we only send the newsletter when we have something exciting to share and we never share your email with anyone!

3 thoughts on “Prickly Ash Bark Health Benefits and Side Effects [2022 Comprehensive List]”

  1. Thnx. This is great info. I have several conditions that may benifit. I’ll give this a try. Have a great day. I am an RN who has also followed an alternative path, both due 2my own health issues that not 9nly didnt respond 2 western medicinal approaches, but also because of 2 children with difficult to treat conditions. We treat many of them alternatively.

  2. Another recipe for an all-natural herbal insect repellent for black flies.

    I LIVE by a black fly breeding ground – I use the below formula both for protection from the flies, and to heal bites and stop the itching once I’ve been bitten. Been using it for years – and it is probably the most requested repeat item I sold.

    Black flies come out mostly at twilight hours and on cloudy days. So apply only when needed. Application lasts for about 1-2 hours, any longer and you need to re-apply.

    45 drops lemongrass essential oil
    45 drops lavender essential oil
    20 drops rosemary
    20 drops eucalyptus
    20 drops peppermint
    10 drops lemon eucalyptus
    5 drops pennyroyal (optional)

    Put essential oils in 2 TB everclear and stir.

    Mix together:
    1/4 cup aloe pulp ( takes about 2-3 good size aloe leaves)
    1/4 cup water
    Blend together a few seconds so is quite smooth.
    Now add:
    1/4 cup almond oil
    1 TB glycerin
    3/4 tsp borax
    1/4 tsp liquid lecithin

    Mix with e/o alchohol blend. Bottle or place in mister. Shake bottle well before and while using. Apply primarily to area around hairline, armpits (and if your swimsuit is skimpy, around groin area) as those are the areas the black flies fo for primarily. I also spray my hat with the stuff.

    Too make formula simpler, you can eliminate the lemon eucalyptus (up the lemongrass by same number of drops) and can do either 40 drops of peppermint or 40 drops of eucalyptus – and eliminate the one you do not do (the peppermint or the eucalyptus). It works, nearly as well.

    If that is still too involved – simple lemongrass and lavender in an alcohol carrier is also effective – 4% solution. Use neat lavender on the bites.

    I also have just smooshed up whatever aromatic herb I found growing nearby and apply repeatedly to prime areas (most mints, most aster flowers, cedar even balsam needles all work in a pinch) Just got to apply about every 15 minutes.

    Keep away from rivers and flowing water during peak hours. Make a cedar smudge pot or smudge bundle (preferably a resinous herb such as cedar) and keep waving the smoke around.

    Black flies are easy. Anyone got ideas about stable flies and horse flies? They get you right through protective clothing and nothing I’ve tried seems to stop them – except a flyswatter (and deet products).

  3. Do you know if this is save for someone who has a blood clotting disorder. I have Leiden Factor Five and and am experiences leg swelling but I haven’t had a clot for 7 years. This is the main active ingredient in a vein supplement I am considering taking.

Leave a Comment

Pin It on Pinterest