Evidence supporting the use of: Southern Prickly Ash
For the body system: Arteries
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Southern Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), also known as Hercules’ Club, has a history of traditional use in North American herbal medicine, particularly among Native American groups and 19th-century eclectic physicians. Historically, the bark and berries were used as a circulatory stimulant and what herbalists termed an "arterial tonic." The belief was that Southern Prickly Ash could promote better blood flow, relieve sluggish circulation, and support cardiovascular health. Specific uses included remedying conditions associated with poor peripheral circulation and as an adjunct in treating rheumatic complaints.
However, modern scientific research on Southern Prickly Ash’s efficacy for arterial or cardiovascular health is sparse. There are few, if any, contemporary clinical studies validating its effects on human arterial function or direct cardiovascular support. Most references in herbal literature cite anecdotal evidence or rely on traditional formulations rather than controlled research. Chemical analyses have identified certain alkaloids and coumarins in the plant, but their cardiovascular effects have not been thoroughly investigated in humans.
In conclusion, while Southern Prickly Ash is traditionally used to support the arteries and circulatory system, there is limited scientific evidence to substantiate these claims. Its reputation in this area rests primarily on historical use and the practices of traditional herbal medicine.
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ajoenealgal oil
alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)
amino acids
anchovies
anthocyanins
apple
arjun tree
artichoke
astaxanthin
barley
beet
bergamot
bilberry
black cumin
black currant
black garlic
sesame
black tea
blackberry
blueberry
bonito peptide
Indian frankincense
broccoli
brussel sprouts
butcher's broom
calamari oil
campesterol
canola oil
capsaicinoids
catechins
celery
cherry
chia seed
Chinese salvia root
chokeberry
cinnamon
citrus bioflavonoids
citrus pectin
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
turmeric
curcumin
d-alpha tocopherol
DHA (docosahexaeonic acid)
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
diallyl trisulfide (DATS)
DPA (docosapentaenoic acid)
EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid)
epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)
ethanol
fiber blend (proprietary)
fish oil
fish protein
flavonols
flaxseed
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
fruit blend (proprietary)
gamma tocopherol
garlic bulb
ginger
ginkgo biloba
ginseng
gooseberry
gotu kola
grape
onion
green tea
guggul
hawthorn
hawthorn
hesperetin
hesperidin
hibiscus
horse chestnut
knotweed
kale
krill oil
l-arginine
l-citrulline
lemon
lignans
linoleic acid (LA)
lycopene
mackerel
magnesium
marine lipid
matcha
moringa
motherwort
mustard seed
naringin
nattokinase
niacin (vitamin B3)
niacinamide (vitamin B3)
oleic acid
olive
omega-3 fatty acids
omega-6 fatty acids
omega-7 fatty acids
omega-9 fatty acids
orange
palmitoleic acid
phenolic acids
phytosterols
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plant sterols
pomegranate
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sterols
strawberry
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tomato
trans-pterostilbene
almond fruit
ubiquinol
vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin E
vitamin K
seaweed
water
watercress
watermelon
mulberry
zinc
jiaogulan
capsicum
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commiphora
lingzhi
lingusticum wallichii
yarrow
prickly ash
morus
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ferulic acid
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yerba mate
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algae
cocoa
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Arginine nitrate
Asiaticoside
Aronia melanocarpa
Allicin
Arginine malate
Arginine aspartate
Auricularia
Avocado
Adrenergic amines
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Adrenaline
Aescin
anthocyanidins
Alpha phytosterol
Acetylsalicylic acid
Arjunic Acid
Alliin
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Allium tuberosum
Apocynin
Arginine silicate
Arjunolic acid
Black Seed
Butylphthalide
Baikal Skullcap
Bidens pilosa
Brutieridin
Brown Algae
Brassica
Bishop's Weed
Bran
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Berberis (unspecified)
Bok Choy
Baicalein
Betanin
berry
Bioflavonoids
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Bignay
Chia seed
Camellia sinensis
Cinnamomum
Capsinoids
Camelina Oil
Cod Liver Oil
Cyathula
Cyanidin
chlorogenic acid
Curcuminoid
Citrus
Capsaicin
Catecholamine
Cruciferous
Chocolate
Curcuma
Carnosol
Calanus finmarchicus
cypress
Chestnut
Crocetin
Collinsonia
Carthamus
Casearia sylvestris
Docosahexaenoic Acid
Diallyl sulfide
Diosmin
Danshen
Delphinidin
Dulse
Diosmetin
epicatechin
Ellagic Acid
Eriocitrin
Egg
Emblicanin
Eicosapentaenoic Acid
Escin
Eucommia ulmoides
Elastin
Ellagitannin
Flavonoids
Flavonones
fibroblast growth factor
Garlic
Pistachio
walnut
Other body systems supported by Southern Prickly Ash
ArteriesBlood
Circulatory System
Digestive System
Glandular System
Gums
Heart
Immune System
Joints
Nerves
Respiratory System
Skin
Urinary System