Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) has a long history of use in traditional medicine among Native American tribes and early settlers in North America. It was commonly applied topically or chewed to treat various ailments, including bites and stings from insects and possibly snakes. Ethnobotanical records indicate that different parts of the plant—such as the bark and berries—were used as poultices or infusions to reduce pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with these injuries. The rationale was likely related to the plant’s numbing (analgesic) and mildly antiseptic properties, as its bark contains bioactive alkaloids and essential oils that can produce a tingling or numbing sensation. However, there is limited scientific evidence directly supporting the efficacy of Shiny-Leaf Prickly Ash for treating bites and stings. Most modern studies focus on its general analgesic, anti-inflammatory, or antimicrobial properties rather than its effects on envenomation or insect bites specifically. Thus, while its use for bites and stings is documented in traditional medicine, robust clinical evidence is lacking. Its application today for this purpose is therefore primarily justified by traditional knowledge rather than scientific validation.

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