Zanthoxylum americanum
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64404d8463962221698982 |
| Scientific name | Zanthoxylum americanum |
| Authority | Mill. |
| First published in | Gard. Dict. ed. 8 : n.º 2 (1768) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Ethnobotanical uses
Traditional infusions and decoctions of northern prickly ash bark were used for fevers and colds among prairie peoples of Kansas and Nebraska (Kindscher, 1987). In the Great Lakes region, a bark infusion was taken for influenza and as a diaphoretic by people of the Menominee and Ho‑Chunk nations (Smith, 1933; Moerman, 1998). European settlers and descendants of Appalachian families brewed a warm tea of bark or root to relieve stomach complaints, and a decoction of the bark was used as a wash for rheumatic limbs and an abortifacient in southern Ohio (Porcher, 1863; Moerman, 1998). An oral wash or poultice of the inner bark was also used for sore throats and dental pain in New England and the Midwest (Smith, 1933). In Indigenous practice of North America outside this species’ range, quebracho and prickly ash barks were interchangeably employed for digestive and respiratory complaints (Smith, 1928).
One practical preparation: to make a mild bark infusion for colds or fevers, simmer 3 g of dried bark in 240 ml water for 15 minutes, strain, and sip 120 ml warm, up to three times daily. A stronger tea for a soothing throat gargle uses 6 g of bark per 240 ml, decocted 20 minutes. Do not exceed 6 g dried bark per day. Contraindicated in pregnancy due to uterine‑stimulating activity reported by early sources (Porcher, 1863); caution if on anticoagulants, as some coumarin content is documented (Duke et al., 2010).
Active constituents that plausibly explain the uses include nitidine and other benzophenanthridine alkaloids with antimicrobial and spasmolytic actions, the quinolizidine alkaloid skimmianine, and coumarins such as marmesin and xanthyletin (Mills et al., 1995). Sesamin is also reported in the species (Duke et al., 2010). These compounds provide the characteristic bitter, warming profile associated with digestive and respiratory remedies.
Today, ground northern prickly ash bark is widely sold in the United States as a culinary spice and “teas” ingredient, and tinctures are available in herb shops. Recent pharmacological work has investigated alkaloids from Zanthoxylum species for antimicrobial and anti‑inflammatory effects, underscoring why the plant remains popular for colds, mouth discomfort, and rheumatic washes (Mills et al., 1995; Duke et al., 2010).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
No established commercial non-medicinal products are documented for Zanthoxylum americanum in primary references to timber, food ingredients, spices, colorants, resins/gums, or other material uses.
Industrial and craft applications:
No documented industrial or craft applications are established. While plant tissues may be used as research materials in laboratory protocols, these do not constitute non-medicinal material uses.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
No edible product uses (as foods, beverages, or spice) are supported by documented references. The species is not recognized as a culinary commodity in North American contexts.
Colorants and tanning:
No documented use as a source of dyes, inks, or tannins for material applications is available.
Wood and fiber:
No documented use of wood, fiber, bast fibers, or timber products is established in industrial or craft contexts.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
No established essential-oil, fragrance, or cosmetic ingredient applications are documented. Although chemical profiling studies exist, these do not confirm commercial fragrance use.
Properties relevant to use:
No non-medicinal properties with established commercial relevance are documented.
Standards and regulation:
No standards or regulatory frameworks are reported for non-medicinal products from this taxon.
Sustainability and sourcing:
No non-medicinal sourcing or sustainability contexts are documented.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Zanthoxylum parvum | Shinners | Field & Lab. 24: 19 (1956) |
| Zanthoxylum ramiflorum | Michx. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 2: 235 (1803) |
| Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium | Marshall | Arbust. Amer. : 167 (1785) |
| Zanthoxylum fraxineum | Willd. | Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 4: 757 (1806) |
| Thylax fraxineum | (Willd.) Raf. | Med. Fl. 2: 114 (1830) |
| Zanthoxylum mite | Willd. | Enum. Pl. : 1013 (1809) |
| Mioptrila odorata | Raf. | Amer. Manual Mulberry Trees 37. 1839 |
| Zanthoxylum americanum f. armatius | F.C.Gates | Trans. Kansas Acad. Sci. 42: 136 (1939 publ. 1940) |
| Zanthoxylum clava-herculis var. americanum | Du Roi | Diss. Inaug. Obs. Bot. : 57 (1771) |
| Zanthoxylum cauliflorum | Steud. | Nomencl. Bot. [Steudel] 897. 1821 |
| Zanthoxylum americanum f. impuniens | Fassett | Torreya 42: 180. 1943 |
| Zanthoxylum tricarpum | Hook. | Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 118 (1831) |
| Zanthoxylum caribaeum | Gaertn. | Fruct. Sem. Pl. 1: 333 (1788) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | prickly ash |
| English | prickly-ash |
| English | american prickly-ash |
| English | common prickly-ash |
| English | common pricklyash |
| English | toothachetree |
| English | toothache tree |
| English | northern prickly-ash |
| Spanish | zanthoxylum mite |
| Spanish | zanthoxylum ramiflorum |
| Spanish | thylax fraxineum |
| Spanish | zanthoxylum fraxineum |
| Spanish | zanthoxylum fraxinifolium |
| Arabic | ديش شوكي |
| Arabic | فاغرة أمريكية |
| Azerbaijani | amerika zantoksilumu |
| Danish | tandpinetræ |
| Persian | زانتکسیلوم امریکنوم |
| French | frêne épineux |
| French | clavalier d'amérique |
| Croatian | zuboboljno drvo |
| Slovenian | ameriški bodičasti jesen |
| Chinese | 美洲花椒 |
Germination/Propagation Top
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No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Northern America click to expand
-
Eastern Canada
- Nova Scotia
- Ontario
- Québec
-
Mexico
- Mexico Northeast
-
North-central U.S.A.
- Illinois
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nebraska
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- South Dakota
- Wisconsin
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Northeastern U.S.A.
- Connecticut
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New York
- Ohio
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
- West Virginia
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South-central U.S.A.
- Texas
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Southeastern U.S.A.
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- District Of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
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Eastern Canada
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0001132898 |
| UNII | NCL1TT8GSN |
| Florida Plant Atlas | 1063 |
| Flora of Alabama | 3309 |
| Canadensys | 9041 |
| USDA Plants | ZAAM |
| UConn | 553 |
| Tropicos | 28100527 |
| INPN | 717710 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:775568-1 |
| The Plant List | tro-28100527 |
| Missouri Botanical Garden | 286754 |
| PFAF | Zanthoxylum americanum |
| Open Tree Of Life | 760765 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 354526 |
| Nature Serve | 2.133451 |
| IUCN Red List | 135956405 |
| IPNI | 775568-1 |
| iNaturalist | 54836 |
| GBIF | 3190089 |
| Freebase | /m/06w6d7x |
| WisFlora | 5451 |
| EPPO | ZANAM |
| EOL | 484217 |
| USDA GRIN | 42186 |
| Wikipedia | Zanthoxylum_americanum |
| CMAUP | NPO29030 |
| CMAUP | NPO6480 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lignans, neolignans and related compounds / Furanoid lignans | |||||
| 5-[(3aR,6R,6aR)-3-(1,3-benzodioxol-5-yl)-1,3,3a,4,6,6a-hexahydrofuro[3,4-c]furan-6-yl]-1,3-benzodioxole | 102004873 | Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6 | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| Episesamin | 5204 | Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6 | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| Npc67790 | 233333 | Click to see | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| Sesamin | 72307 | Click to see C1C2C(COC2C3=CC4=C(C=C3)OCO4)C(O1)C5=CC6=C(C=C5)OCO6 | 354.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acid esters | |||||
| Methyl 3-phenylpropionate | 7643 | Click to see COC(=O)CCC1=CC=CC=C1 | 164.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| (3R)-5-[(1R,2R,4aS,8aS)-2-hydroxy-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 11868539 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (3S)-5-[(1S,4aS,8aR)-2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-4-oxo-4a,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1H-naphthalen-1-yl]-3-methylpentanoic acid | 93233226 | Click to see CC1=CC(=O)C2C(CCCC2(C1CCC(C)CC(=O)O)C)(C)C | 320.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanediol | 11130717 | Click to see | 310.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid | 11186394 | Click to see | 324.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Labdanic Acid Methyl Ester | 7057547 | Click to see | 338.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Aromadendrane sesquiterpenoids / 5,10-cycloaromadendrane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Ledum camphor | 92812 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Viridiflorol | 11996452 | Click to see CC1CCC2C1C3C(C3(C)C)CCC2(C)O | 222.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Trichothecenes | |||||
| (1S,2R,7R,9R,10R,11S,12R)-3,10,11-trihydroxy-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,5-dimethylspiro[8-oxatricyclo[7.2.1.02,7]dodec-5-ene-12,2'-oxirane]-4-one | 6325746 | Click to see | 312.31 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (3S,4aR,6aS,6bR,8aR,11R,12S,12aR,14bS)-4,4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-octamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a-dodecahydro-1H-picen-3-ol | 13996053 | Click to see | 424.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Glutinol Acetate | 1781002 | Click to see CC(=O)OC1CCC2C(=CCC3C2(CCC4(C3(CCC5(C4CC(CC5)(C)C)C)C)C)C)C1(C)C | 468.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Naphthofurans | |||||
| (3aS,5aR,9aS,9bR)-3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyl-2,4,5,5a,7,8,9,9b-octahydro-1H-benzo[e][1]benzofuran | 12838593 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CCC3(C2CCO3)C)C)C | 236.39 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 8,12-Epoxy-13,14,15,16-tetranorlabdane | 11861328 | Click to see | 236.39 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Quinolines and derivatives / Benzoquinolines / Phenanthridines and derivatives | |||||
| Nitidine | 4501 | Click to see | 348.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens | |||||
| Imperatorin | 10212 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYMED.2003.12.005 https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650040604 |
| Isoimperatorin | 68081 | Click to see | 270.28 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650040604 |
| Psoralen | 6199 | Click to see | 186.16 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650040604 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYMED.2003.12.005 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Furanocoumarins / Psoralens / 8-methoxypsoralens | |||||
| Cnidilin | 821449 | Click to see | 300.30 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650040604 |
| Methoxsalen | 4114 | Click to see COC1=C2C(=CC3=C1OC=C3)C=CC(=O)O2 | 216.19 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.2650040604 https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PHYMED.2003.12.005 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Pyranocoumarins / Angular pyranocoumarins | |||||
| Alloxanthoxyletin | 5317485 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(C=C3C(=C2O1)C=CC(=O)O3)OC)C | 258.27 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9370001545 https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| Dipetalin | 5316928 | Click to see | 326.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Pyranocoumarins / Linear pyranocoumarins | |||||
| Xanthoxyletin | 66548 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=C3C(=C2OC)C=CC(=O)O3)C | 258.27 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 |
| Xanthyletin | 65188 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=C3C(=C2)C=CC(=O)O3)C | 228.24 | unknown |
https://doi.org/10.1002/PTR.686 https://doi.org/10.1039/JR9360001828 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Isorhamnetin | 5281654 | Click to see | 316.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin | 5281672 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)O | 318.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| [(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-2-[2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-4-oxo-chromen-3-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)tetrahydropyran-3-yl] 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzoate | 5480249 | Click to see | 616.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxy-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[[(2S,3R,4S,5R)-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]oxymethyl]oxan-2-yl]oxychromen-4-one | 5315208 | Click to see C1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=C(OC4=CC(=CC(=C4C3=O)O)O)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 596.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3-[(2R,3R,4S,5S,6R)-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)-3-[(2S,3R,4S,5S,6R)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]oxy-2-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)-5,7-dihydroxychromen-4-one | 42613954 | Click to see C1=CC(=C(C=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 5,7-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-3-((6-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl)oxy)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 102148697 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Astragalin | 5282102 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O)O | 448.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Kaempferol-3-O-Rutinoside | 5318767 | Click to see | 594.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| myricetin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside | 5318606 | Click to see C1=C(C=C(C(=C1O)O)O)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC4C(C(C(C(O4)CO)O)O)O | 480.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myricetin-3-O-rutinoside | 21577860 | Click to see | 626.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 3-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Isokaempferide | 5280862 | Click to see | 300.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 4-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Acacetin | 5280442 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Ermanin | 5352001 | Click to see COC1=CC=C(C=C1)C2=C(C(=O)C3=C(C=C(C=C3O2)O)O)OC | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / O-methylated flavonoids / 7-O-methylated flavonoids | |||||
| Genkwanin | 5281617 | Click to see | 284.26 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Jaranol | 5318869 | Click to see COC1=CC(=C2C(=C1)OC(=C(C2=O)OC)C3=CC=C(C=C3)O)O | 314.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Linear 1,3-diarylpropanoids / Cinnamylphenols | |||||
| Xenognosin | 5281296 | Click to see | 256.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Phenylpropanoic acids | |||||
| Benzenepropanoic acid | 107 | Click to see | 150.17 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins | |||||
| 1,3,6-Tri-O-Galloyl-Beta-D-Glucose | 452707 | Click to see | 636.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 3,4,6-tri-O-galloyl-beta-d-glucose | 14188641 | Click to see | 636.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| galloyl(-2)[galloyl(-6)]Glc(a)-O-galloyl | 11969002 | Click to see | 636.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Penta-O-galloyl-beta-D-glucose | 65238 | Click to see | 940.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Tannins / Hydrolyzable tannins | |||||
| Chebulagic Acid | 442674 | Click to see | 954.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |