Single Herb Glossary
Huā Jiāo (Chuān) 花椒
| Pharmaceutical name | Zanthoxyli Pericarpium Zanthoxylum bungeanum peel, Sichuan pepper, Chinese prickly-ash |
| Category | Warm Interior, Expel Cold |
| Key Properties | Warms the Middle Disperses Cold Stops pain Kills parasites Tonifies fire at the gate of vitality |
| Properties | Acrid Hot Slightly Toxic |
| Tropism | KD, SP, ST |
| Actions & Indications | 1) Warms the Middle Burner, Disperses Cold, and Alleviates Pain 2) Kills Parasites and Alleviates Abdominal Pain (Intestinal) |
| Dosages | 3-6g |
| Contraindications (TCM) | Excess fire, Yin Deficiency Caution during pregnancy |
| Contraindications (Western) | |
| Chemical Composition | Essential oils (limonene, 1,8-cineol, myrcene), skimmianine, kokusaginine, haplopine, herniarin, xanthoxylin |
| Pharmacological Effects | • Anesthetic and analgesic: water extract has local anesthetic and analgesic effects as demonstrated in mice; prolonged use associated with tolerance • Antiulcer: water extract at 5 to 10 g/kg acts to prevent and treat stomach ulcers in mice; however, only achieved 22% effectiveness • Antidiarrheal: water extract at 5 to 10 g/kg has antidiarrheal effect; in mice, effectively delays onset and shortens duration of diarrhea, when diarrhea is induced by ingestion of Fan Xie Ye (Folium Sennae) • Antibiotic: inhibitory effect against β-hemolytic streptococcus, S. aureus, Diplococcus pneumoniae, Bacillus dysenteriae, Salmonella typhi, and some dermatophytes |
| Herb-Drug Interactions | |
| Classical Formula(s) |
Wu Mei Wan (Mume Pill) 烏梅丸 (乌梅丸) Da Jian Zhong Tang (Major construct the middle decoction) 大建中湯 Ji Jiao Li Huang Wan (Stephanie, Zanthoxylum, Tingli Seed, and Rhubarb Pill) 己椒藶黃丸 Ai Fu Nuan Gong Wan (Mugwort and Cyperus Pill to Warm the Palace) 艾附暖宮丸 |
This information is a reference tool for Chinese herbal studies. It is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Please consult a primary health professional if you require health advisory.