Evidence supporting the use of: Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
For the health condition: Colds (with fever)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Prickly Ash, which generally refers to species in the genus Zanthoxylum (such as Zanthoxylum americanum or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), has a longstanding history of use in traditional herbal medicine in North America and parts of Asia. Traditionally, Native American and early European settlers used various parts of the Prickly Ash tree (bark and berries) to address ailments such as colds, fevers, and sore throats. The use for "colds with fever" specifically is rooted in its reputation as a warming, stimulating herb believed to promote circulation, induce sweating, and thus help "break" a fever. While ethnobotanical records and herbal texts from the 19th and early 20th centuries frequently mention Prickly Ash for this purpose, there is little to no modern clinical research validating these uses. Some phytochemical studies have identified active compounds like alkaloids and essential oils, which may have mild stimulant or antimicrobial properties, but direct evidence of efficacy in treating colds or fevers is lacking. The evidence rating is 2, reflecting a strong traditional use but poor scientific substantiation. Adverse effects are rare but possible, and it should not be used as a substitute for proven therapies in serious infections.
More about Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
More about Colds (with fever)
Other ingredients used for Colds (with fever)
aloe veragreen chiretta
anthocyanins
basil
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
blueberry
capsaicinoids
chamomile
citrus oil
clove
coconut milk
cowage seed
turmeric
elderberry
forsythia
garlic bulb
ginger
grape
green tea
lemon
licorice root
pear
plantain
pomegranate
quercetin
rhizome
rosemary
sage
sphaeranthus indicus
thyme
vitamin C
vitamin D
zinc
xanthium (cockleburs)
mugwort
nut grass
alpinia galangal
pistacia integerrima gall
blackboard tree
boxthorne
buckthorn
yerba santa
sweet flag
hyacinth bean
trichosanthes
aster root
indigo leaves
Avens
Agastache
Ardisia
acacia
Amomum
Asarum heterotropoides
Aconite
Ajuga
Andrographolide
Aerva lanata
Asam gelugor
Andrographis
Asteracea
Amor seco
Arani
Atractylone
Bermuda Grass
Baikal Skullcap
Baphicacanthus cusia
Bishop's Weed
Bayleaf
Black galingale
Bitter Grass
Bael
Baccharoides anthelmintica
Bur-Reed
Bee products
Black Nightshade
Bassia scoparia
Capillary Artemisia
Chinese Raisintree
Cowherb
Cistus
Common madia
Cinnamaldehyde
Celosia
Chrysophanics
Dragonhead
Eclipta
Little ironweed
Mallow
Vervain
Other health conditions supported by Prickly Ash (Unspecified)
Abdominal PainAcid Indigestion
Appetite (deficient)
Arthritis
Backache
Bites and Stings
Boils
Bronchitis
Bruises (healing)
Canker Sores
Chest Pain
Circulation (poor)
Colds (general)
Colds (prevention)
Colds (with fever)
Congestion
Congestion (bronchial)
Congestion (lungs)
Constipation (adults)
Cuts
Diarrhea
Digestion (poor)
Dyspepsia
Ear Infection or Earache
Eczema
Fever
Glands (swollen lymph)
Gout
Headache (general)
Headache (sinus)
Headache (tension)
Hemorrhoids
Inflammation
Insomnia
Itching