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Zanthoxylum clava-herculis Hercules club Deciduous shrub (1 Page of 5) The Zanthoxylum clava-herculis plant species is found in Southeastern N. America - Virginia to Florida, west to Texas and Arkansas. It is a member of the Rutaceae family. Common gardeners may know the plant as Hercules club. Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses Latin Name: Zanthoxylum clava-herculis Common Name: Hercules club Family: Rutaceae Author: L. Known Hazards: None known Mature Height: 3 Mature Width: Habitat: Usually found as scattered trees near the coast in light sandy soils, often on bluffs of islands, river banks or dunes[229]. Best growth is from plants in most rich soils with good drainage[229].
Medicinal Information: This species is quite widely used in herbal medicine, it has the same properties as Z. americanum, but is said to be more active[4].
All parts of the plant, but especially the bark and roots, contain the aromatic bitter oil xanthoxylin[4]. This has a number of applications in medicine[4]. The fruit has a similar medicinal action to the bark[4].
The bark and roots are irritant, odontalgic and antirheumatic[213]. Along with the fruit they are diaphoretic, stimulant and a useful tonic in debilitated conditions of the stomach and digestive organs[4]. They produce arterial excitement and are of use in the treatment of fevers, ague, poor circulation etc[4].
The fruits are considered more active than the bark, they are also antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic and antirheumatic[4, 213, 222].
The pulverized root and bark are used to ease the pain of toothache[213, 222]. One report says that it is very efficacious, but the sensation of the acrid bark is fully as unpleasant as the toothache[213]. Chewing the bark induces copious salivation[222]. Rubbing the fruit against the skin, especially on the lips or in the mouth, produces a temporary loss of sensation[K].
A tea or tincture of the bark has been used in the treatment of rheumatism, dyspepsia, dysentery, heart and kidney troubles etc[222].
A tea made from the inner bark has been used to treat itchy skin[213].
For further Zanthoxylum clava-herculis gardening information click on one of the blue links below Cultivation | Propagation | General Uses Medicinal | Edible Uses
The information above has been supplied solely via the hard work and dedication of the team at 'Plants for a Future'. View their bibliography

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