Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum americanum or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) has a history of use in North American traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American tribes and in 19th-century eclectic medicine. It was used as a stimulating tonic for a variety of ailments, including digestive complaints, rheumatism, and as a general "blood purifier." Historical herbal texts and ethnobotanical sources sometimes mention its use for conditions associated with liver dysfunction, such as jaundice, based on its purported ability to stimulate circulation and promote detoxification. However, these uses are based on anecdotal reports, traditional practices, and the broad application of the bark as a "tonic" or "alterative" rather than any specific pharmacological evidence.

There is no robust scientific research or modern clinical data supporting the efficacy of Prickly Ash Bark in treating jaundice in adults. The traditional rationale for its use in jaundice likely stems from its general stimulating effects on the digestive tract and liver, but no specific active compounds or mechanisms have been identified that would directly address hyperbilirubinemia or hepatic dysfunction characteristic of jaundice. Therefore, while Prickly Ash Bark has a traditional association with supporting liver health, the evidence is weak, and its use for this specific condition is not scientifically validated. Caution should be exercised, and modern medical management should be prioritized for jaundice.