Zanthoxylum bungeanum

Physical Characteristics

Zanthoxylum bungeanum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 6 m (19ft 8in). The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment Seed - used as a condiment, a pepper substitute[109]. Highly prized[109]. The fruit is rather small but is produced in clusters which makes harvesting easy[K]. Each fruit contains a single seed.

Medicinal Uses

Anaesthetic Anthelmintic Aromatic Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Diuretic Dysentery Emmenagogue Stimulant Vasodilator Vermifuge The fruit is anaesthetic, anthelmintic, aromatic, astringent, carminative, diuretic, emmenagogue, stimulant, sudorific, vasodilator and vermifuge[147, 218]. It is pulverised then mixed with water for internal application in the treatment of chills and pains in the abdomen, vomiting, cold-damp diarrhoea and dysentery, ascariasis-caused abdominal pain and moist sores on the skin[147]. The pericarp is anaesthetic, anthelmintic, antibacterial and antifungal[176]. It is effective against the pork tapeworm, Taenia solium, and is also used in the treatment of gastralgia, dyspepsia, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, ascariasis and dermal diseases[176]. The pericarp contains geraniol. This lowers the blood pressure, is mildly diuretic in small doses but in large doses inhibits the excretion of urine, and also increases peristalsis of the abdomen at low doses though inhibits it at large doses[176].

Known Hazards

The plant is toxic[147]. No more details.