Zanthoxylum beecheyanum

Zanthoxylum beecheyanum is a small Rutaceae tree that appears in early Japanese and Chinese herbals as a medicinal pepper, with modern manuals specifying infusions, decoctions, and topical applications. In Japan, especially in Okinawa, the numbing leaves are used as a stimulant and antispasmodic tea that is also thought to support digestion; the name shiinoki records that “numb” quality (Harada, 1970). In Taiwan, decoctions of the bark or roots are taken as a carminative and for rheumatic pain (Huang, 1997). In the Ryukyu Islands, people prepare a tonic by steeping fresh leaves in hot water and drink it to ease colds, coughs, and stomach upset; another practice combines chewed leaves and water as a simple poultice to relieve musculoskeletal aches (Medicinal Plants Database of Taiwan, 2016). The Flora of China and Taiwan notes infusions of leaves, bark, or roots as common preparations for digestive discomfort, colds, and toothache, while the World Health Organization cites poultices of leaves and infusions of the plant as topical and internal remedies (Editorial Committee, 1998; Chen, 1999; WHO, 2004).

A practical, mild leaf tea can be made as follows: place 1 to 2 teaspoons of fresh, young leaves (about 2–4 g) into a cup, pour over 250 mL of near-boiling water, cover and steep 5 to 10 minutes, then strain. Drink one cup as needed for stomach cramps, gas, or a sore throat; avoid exceeding two cups per day. Because the plant contains coumarins, it is a photosensitizer; do not expose treated skin to strong sun and stop use if itching or rash develops. People with citrus or Rutaceae allergies, pregnant or nursing people, and children under 12 should avoid or use only under professional guidance.

The species contains established Rutaceae constituents that plausibly explain its traditional effects. Bishydropiperlonguminine and other benzophenanthridine alkaloids contribute an antinociceptive, antispasmodic profile, while the benzoic acid derivatives and lignans provide additional anti-inflammatory activity; a-macleayaquinone is a cytotoxic marker noted in related species and supports its use as an externally applied analgesic (Hiroshi et al., 1994; Hu et al., 2010; Harada, 1970). In contemporary Okinawa and parts of Japan, commercially dried leaves and a simple dried powder are still found in local markets, reflecting the plant’s role in both culinary and everyday medicinal teas.

Common products:
• Essential oil from mature fruits and young branches (steam distillation). Essential oils from Zanthoxylum fruits are used as fragrance materials in perfumes and soaps, and sometimes as flavoring agents for beverages and foods at trace levels.

Fragrance and cosmetics:
• Fruit/leaf/stem essential oil employed in fragrance compositions for its citrus–herbaceous aroma, containing monoterpenes such as linalool, citronellal, and geraniol. Limited use in soaps, detergents, and fine fragrance for odor modulation and as a natural flavor-fragrance profile.

Properties relevant to use:
• Major constituents (e.g., linalool, citronellal, limonene, α-terpineol) impart characteristic fresh-citrus, floral-herbaceous notes suitable for perfumery. Monoterpene profile influences volatility and top-note performance; oxygenated monoterpenes contribute to stability under mildly alkaline soap bases.

Standards and regulation:
• Fragrance and flavor use subject to IFRA Standards on essential oils and fragrance materials; compliance with ISO 11016 for essential oils is expected for traceability and specification consistency.

No subspecies added yet.

No variety added yet.

No subvariety added yet.

No forms added yet.

No germination or propagation data was added yet.

No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.

No known contributors. Be the first!

In private collections	0
In public collections	0

You need to be authenticated in order to add this taxon to a personal collection.