Evidence supporting the use of: Prickly ash (mixed)
For the health condition: Chills

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Prickly ash (commonly referring to the bark of Zanthoxylum species, such as Zanthoxylum americanum or Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine, particularly in Native American and early North American folk medicine. It was employed as a warming agent and "stimulating tonic," often used to address symptoms such as chills, intermittent fevers, and poor peripheral circulation. This use is likely due to the plant's pungent, warming qualities and its reputed ability to "stimulate" the body's circulation and promote warmth.

However, there is little to no modern scientific evidence directly supporting prickly ash's effectiveness for treating chills specifically. The traditional practice may be loosely supported by the herb's known pharmacological actions—such as mild local anesthetic and circulatory stimulant effects—but no clinical trials or robust pharmacological studies have confirmed efficacy for chills.

In summary, prickly ash's use for chills is primarily justified by historical and ethnobotanical tradition rather than by contemporary scientific validation. As such, while it remains a component of some traditional herbal formulas for chills or cold-related symptoms, its use should be viewed in the context of historical practice rather than evidence-based medicine.

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