Zanthoxylum clava-herculus /Z.americana

Barra, A. (1999). Prickly Ash Zanthoxylum spp.. Retrieved from: http://www.anniesremedy.com/herb_detail403.php

Botanical Name: Zanthoxylum clava-herculus /Z.americana
Common name: Prickley Ash
Family: Rutaceae (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
Parts used: Bark, Berry (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)

Constituents: Alkaloids; coumarins; resin; tannins; and volatile oil (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)

Actions

• Circulatory Stimulant (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 233)
• Tonic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Alterative (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Carminative (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Diaphoretic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596; Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Antirheumatic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Hepatic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Sialogogue (Bone, 2003, p. 379; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 104)

 

Indications

• Rheumatism (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596; Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Chronic skin disorders (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Poor circulation (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596; Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Leg cramps (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Varicose veins (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596; Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Varicose ulcers (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Gastric distension (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Loss of sensitivity in injured nerves (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)
• Haemorrhoids (Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Raynaud’s Syndrome (Bone, 2003, p. 379)
• Hypotension (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 233)

 

Dosage & Preparation:

• Tincture (1:5 in 60%): 2-4mL/tds
• Infusion: 102tsp/1 cup water/tds

 

Cautions

• Causes a tingling sensation in oral cavity when taken in liquid form, which may give patients a chocking or panicked reaction (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 104)

 

Contraindications

• Contraindicated in hypertension (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 233)
• Individuals on anticoagulant therapy (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 596)

Capsicum minimum

Watson, K. (2013). Chili Pepper Botanical Printable. Retrieved from: http://thegraphicsfairy.com/chili-pepper-botanical-printable/

Botanical Name: Capsicum minimum
Common name: Cayenne (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
Family: Solonaceae (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
Parts used: Fruit (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)

Constituents: Capsaicinoids (incl. capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin); carotenoids (incl. capsanthin, capsorubin and carotene; and Steroidal saponins (“capsicidins”) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)

Actions

• Stimulant (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 247)
• Carminative (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Anti-catarrhal (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Sialalgogue (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Rubefacient (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Antimicrobial (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Antiseptic (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 247)
• Local anesthetic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)

As a local anaesthetic, Cayenne only blocks impulses to nerve C fibers (strictly related to pain) therefore it does not interfe with temperature, touch and pressure (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536).

Cayenne blocks transmission of pain and itching by nerve fibers in skin and topically relieves pain by depleting local supplies of substance P (neurotransmitter) (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536).

 

Indications

• Flatulent dyspepsia (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Colic (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Insufficient peripheral circulation (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Debility (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Lumbago and rheumatic pains (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Laryngitis (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536)
• Painful skin disorders, such as: psoriasis, pruritus or shingles (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• Trigeminal neuralgia (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• Arthritis (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536; Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• Cluster headache (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• Phantom limb pains (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• Vasomotor rhinitis (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)
• GI infections (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 202)

In TCM the herb is used as an anticonvulsant and is indicated in epilepsy (Bone & Mills, 2013, p. 43)

 

Dosage & Preparation:

• Tincture (1:5 in 25%): 0.25-1mL/tds
• Infusion: 0.5-1tsp/1 cup water. Infuse for 10mins. Drink when needed.

 

Cautions: The specific action Cayenne has on vansiloid receptors may creates an illusion of pain and burning, however tissue damage is not concurrent in these sensations and no harm results (Bone & Mills, 2013, pp. 43, 104)

 

Combinations

• Combines with Myrrh in a gargle for laryngitis or as an antiseptic wash (Hoffmann, 2003, p. 536).
• High doses may cause tachecardia and hypertension in certain individuals (Natural Standard, 2014)
• May aggravate gastrointestinal reflux (Natural Standard, 2014)
• Caution to be taken in individuals with bleeding disorders (Natural Standard, 2014)

 

Interactions

• May react with anticoagulant and anti-platelet medication (Natural Standard, 2014)
• May inhibit cytochrome P450 enzymes (Natural Standard, 2014)