Evidence supporting the use of: Northern Prickly Ash
For the health condition: Angina

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Zanthoxylum americanum, commonly known as Northern Prickly Ash, has a documented history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly by Native American and early Euro-American herbalists. Its bark and berries were used as a "stimulant" and "tonic" for circulatory complaints, including symptoms suggestive of angina pectoris (chest pain due to heart disease). Historical herbal texts, such as King's American Dispensatory (Felter & Lloyd, 1898), mention its use for "intermittent fevers, rheumatism, and other conditions involving poor circulation," sometimes including references to heart pain. However, these accounts are largely anecdotal and based on empirical tradition rather than controlled clinical observation.

Modern scientific evaluation of Northern Prickly Ash's effects on angina is lacking. No robust clinical trials or pharmacological studies directly support its efficacy for angina pectoris or any cardiovascular condition in humans. Some laboratory studies have explored related Zanthoxylum species for potential vasodilatory or anti-inflammatory properties, but evidence is preliminary and non-specific to angina.

In summary, the use of Northern Prickly Ash for angina is justified primarily by traditional usage, with minimal supporting evidence and no contemporary clinical validation. Its use for this purpose should be considered historical and not evidence-based by modern medical standards.

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