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

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Synopsis

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

Northern Prickly Ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) has a history of use in traditional herbal medicine among Native American and early North American practitioners. It was employed for various ailments, including as a circulatory stimulant and for conditions involving "congestion" or "stagnation" in the body. Some historical herbal texts reference its use for "piles," an old term for hemorrhoids, primarily due to its perceived ability to improve blood flow and reduce stagnation in the pelvic region. The bark and berries were commonly used, often as decoctions or tinctures. However, there is no direct scientific evidence from controlled clinical trials or modern pharmacological studies supporting the efficacy of Northern Prickly Ash for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Its reported actions (e.g., as a vasodilator or stimulant) in traditional contexts were the basis for its use in hemorrhoidal conditions, under the belief that improving circulation could alleviate symptoms. No contemporary guidelines or pharmacopoeias recognize it as a recommended or validated treatment for hemorrhoids. In summary, while there is a modest historical precedent for using Northern Prickly Ash for hemorrhoids, this use is based solely on tradition and has not been substantiated by modern scientific research.

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