Prickly ash (Zanthoxylum species), sometimes referred to as "Sichuan pepper" or "Northern prickly ash," has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and North American indigenous medicine. In TCM, prickly ash is often included in herbal formulas aimed at promoting the movement of "Qi" and alleviating digestive disturbances such as belching, bloating, and indigestion. The traditional rationale is that prickly ash warms the middle burner (stomach and spleen), dispels cold, and relieves stagnation, which are believed to be underlying causes of belching and similar symptoms.

Scientific evidence directly supporting the use of prickly ash for belching is limited. Some preclinical studies suggest that compounds in prickly ash may have mild prokinetic and antispasmodic effects, which could theoretically help with gastrointestinal symptoms, but robust clinical trials are lacking. Thus, its use for belching is primarily justified by traditional medical systems and historical practice rather than strong scientific validation. Most contemporary herbal references cite its traditional applications rather than evidence-based outcomes.