Prickly Ash Bark (Zanthoxylum americanum or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly among Native American and early North American herbalists. Traditionally, it has been employed for a variety of ailments, including digestive complaints such as indigestion, colic, and sometimes nausea. The bark is known as a "warming" or "stimulating" remedy in herbalism, believed to enhance circulation and support the digestive system. However, direct traditional references to its use specifically for nausea and vomiting are limited and often generalized under broader digestive support.

From a scientific perspective, there is little to no clinical research directly supporting the efficacy of Prickly Ash Bark in treating nausea or vomiting. The available literature focuses mainly on its analgesic, circulatory, and anti-inflammatory properties, rather than antiemetic effects. Any benefit for nausea is inferred from its broader traditional role in digestive support rather than demonstrated by targeted studies. Overall, while the use of Prickly Ash Bark for nausea and vomiting is primarily justified by tradition, the evidence is weak and largely anecdotal, meriting a low evidence rating.