Prickly ash (commonly referring to species in the Zanthoxylum genus) has a history of use in traditional medicine, particularly in North America and Asia. In some traditional systems, it has been used for gastrointestinal complaints, including symptoms that may overlap with those of cholera, such as diarrhea and cramps. Native American and traditional Chinese medical sources sometimes mention prickly ash bark or berries as part of herbal mixtures for digestive ailments. The rationale was often based on its perceived "warming" and stimulant properties, which were thought to help restore function to a weakened digestive tract.

However, there is little in the way of rigorous scientific evidence supporting the efficacy of prickly ash specifically for cholera, a severe bacterial infection caused by Vibrio cholerae. Modern research on prickly ash focuses more on its potential analgesic or circulatory effects, with few, if any, studies directly investigating its antibacterial properties against cholera or its impact on severe diarrheal diseases. Therefore, while its use for cholera is rooted in tradition, particularly in the context of broader gastrointestinal support, this practice lacks robust scientific validation.

In summary, prickly ash's use for cholera is primarily traditional, with a low level of supporting evidence and no direct scientific confirmation of efficacy for this specific condition.