Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Southern Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) has a long history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, particularly by Indigenous peoples and later by eclectic physicians. It has been used as a remedy for a variety of skin conditions, including boils, abscesses, and ulcers. The bark and berries were typically prepared as decoctions or poultices and applied topically or taken internally to support the body’s response to infections and skin eruptions. The rationale for its use was rooted in its perceived ability to "stimulate circulation" and act as a "blood purifier," concepts common in 19th-century herbal practice.

However, scientific evidence supporting the use of Southern Prickly Ash for boils is minimal. A handful of laboratory studies have identified some antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory constituents in related Zanthoxylum species, but there are no clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies specifically validating its efficacy for boils in humans. Thus, while the use of Southern Prickly Ash for boils is justified by tradition, the level of evidence remains low and primarily anecdotal.

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Other ingredients used for Boils

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