Wendy's Healing Compendium 34.78: Prickly, Spicy, and Barky

Prickly ash bark (Zanthoxylum americanum) is one hell of a medicinal powerhouse that herbalists have been using for centuries to treat all kinds of shit. This badass native North American tree is part of the citrus family and has earned nicknames like "toothache tree" because it numbs the crap out of your mouth when you chew it. The bark contains a bunch of active compounds including alkaloids, coumarins, lignans, and flavonoids that give it serious medicinal properties. Native Americans were the first to recognize how awesome this plant was, using it for toothaches, arthritis, and circulation problems before European settlers caught on. Whether you're dealing with chronic pain, poor circulation, or digestive issues, this spicy little bastard might be exactly what you need in your herbal arsenal.

Description:

Prickly ash is a deciduous shrub or small tree that grows up to 26 feet tall with thorny branches that will fuck up your day if you're not careful when harvesting. The bark is grayish-brown with these distinctive cork-like protrusions and sharp-ass thorns that give the plant its common name. When you break open the bark, you'll notice it has a strong, aromatic smell that's kind of citrusy and spicy at the same time. The taste is initially bitter as hell, followed by a numbing sensation that tingles your mouth - that's how you know you've got the good stuff. Traditionally, herbalists harvest the bark in spring or fall when the medicinal compounds are most concentrated in this badass plant.

Cultivation Section:

Prickly ash grows best in USDA hardiness zones 3-7 and prefers well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade, so don't try to grow this shit in a swamp or desert. The plant is dioecious, meaning you need both male and female trees to produce the characteristic red berries, though it's the bark we're after for medicinal purposes. You can propagate from seeds, but they're a pain in the ass to germinate and require cold stratification for 3-4 months before they'll sprout. A better option for most home growers is to get rooted cuttings from a reputable nursery that specializes in medicinal plants. Once established, prickly ash is drought-tolerant and doesn't need much babysitting, making it a pretty chill addition to your medicinal garden.

Medicinal Uses:

Circulation Booster

Prickly ash bark is a powerful circulatory stimulant that gets blood flowing to your extremities when they're cold as fuck. Research shows it contains compounds that dilate blood vessels and decrease platelet aggregation, potentially helping with conditions like Raynaud's syndrome and diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

Pain Relief

The numbing compounds in prickly ash bark make it effective for various types of pain, especially nerve-related discomfort that makes you want to scream. It works by temporarily blocking pain signals and reducing inflammation, giving you relief when other remedies have failed miserably.

Digestive Aid

This spicy bark stimulates digestive secretions and improves the tone of your intestinal muscles when your gut is being a little bitch. Regular use may help with chronic digestive issues like gas, bloating, and constipation that mess with your quality of life.

Oral Health

Historically used for toothaches because it numbs your mouth faster than you can say "root canal." The antimicrobial properties also help fight the nasty bacteria that cause gum disease and bad breath that nobody wants to smell.

Arthritis Support

The anti-inflammatory compounds in prickly ash bark may reduce joint pain and stiffness when arthritis is making your life a living hell. Many herbalists pair it with other anti-inflammatory herbs for a synergistic effect that kicks inflammation's ass.

How to Use: