| The prickly ash plant is a tall shrub that is often | | | | because it shows promise as way to enhance the |
| described as a small tree. It can usually be found | | | | immune system and relieve exhaustion. |
| growing up to a height of twenty feet. The shrub | | | | Prickly ash can be used as a poultice to help speed |
| can be distinguished by its barbed stalks and | | | | up the healing of wounds and preventing infection. |
| branches. The leaves of this plant are covered with | | | | Also, it helps increase the production of saliva. This |
| fine hair-like material when they are young. As the | | | | helps to eliminate mouth dryness. The bitter and |
| leaves mature, they become smooth and develop | | | | sweet qualities of this herb are responsible for helping |
| spots of resins on the outer surface. When crushed, | | | | to heal deficiencies in the heart, lungs, spleen, and |
| the leaves give out a fragrance that is similar to that | | | | intestine. These qualities also help to strengthen them. |
| of the lemon. The shrub is responsible for bearing | | | | As an example, prickly ash has been used to treat |
| green colored flowers. These appear in bunches on | | | | ulcers, asthma, and colic. Prickly ash is also used to aid |
| old wood before the leaves. Reddish-brown casings | | | | digestion. Additionally, it helps in relieving feminine |
| can be found on the wood, which house black seeds | | | | problems such as premenstrual cramps. This herb also |
| that are spicy to taste. The prickly ash shrub can be | | | | is used to treat skin diseases. |
| found in the region that ranges from Canada to | | | | The bark and berries of the prickly ash plant are |
| Virginia and Nebraska. | | | | used to provide alterative, anthelmintic, antiasthmatic, |
| The Native American tribes used prickly ash for | | | | antispasmodic, astringent, blood purifier, sialagogue, |
| toothaches and infection. Subsequently, it appeared in | | | | and stimulant properties. Primarily, prickly ash is |
| the U.S. Pharmacopoeia from 1829 to 1926. It was | | | | extremely beneficial in dealing with poor circulation, |
| also found in the National Formulary from 1916 to | | | | fevers, paralysis, mouth sores, ulcers, and wounds. |
| 1947 as a treatment for rheumatism. This herb was | | | | Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating ague, |
| often used in the South during cholera and typhus | | | | arthritis, asthma, blood impurities, cholera, colic, |
| epidemics. There, it was able to produce positive | | | | uterine cramps, diarrhea, edema, gas, gastric |
| results. Prickly ash is often used in combination with a | | | | disorders, indigestion, lethargy, liver disorders, |
| variety of other herbs. | | | | rheumatism, primary tuberculosis, skin diseases, |
| Samuel Thomson, a nineteenth-century herbalist, | | | | syphilis, thyroid problems, and typhus. |
| considered prickly ash to be a valuable natural | | | | In order to obtain the best results when |
| stimulant. It helps with problems such as rheumatism, | | | | supplementing with this, or any herb, it is important |
| cold hands and feet, ague, and fever. This herb is | | | | to consult your health care provider before beginning |
| responsible for stimulating circulation, which is essential | | | | any regimen while on prescription medications. For |
| for a healthy body. Prickly ash can also help circulation | | | | more information on the many beneficial effects |
| that is impaired. This is the case in cold extremities | | | | provided by prickly ash, please feel free to consult a |
| and joints. Additionally, this herb can help with arthritis | | | | representative from your local health food store with |
| and lethargy because of its stimulant action and | | | | questions. |