Szechuan Pepper, Chinese-pepper, Prickly Ash

Zanthoxylum simulans

Physical Characteristics

Zanthoxylum simulans is a deciduous Shrub growing to 4 m (13ft) by 6 m (19ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in October. 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 full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

E. Asia - China.

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; not Deep Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Edible Uses: Condiment The fruit is dried and used as a condiment[46, 61, 105, 177]. A pepper flavour, it is stronger and more pungent than black pepper[183]. It can be used whole or ground into a powder and used as a table seasoning[183]. A light roasting brings out more of the flavour[206]. It is an ingredient of the famous Chinese 'five spice' mixture[206].

Medicinal Uses

Anodyne Anthelmintic Antidote Antiphlogistic Astringent Carminative Diaphoretic Digestive Diuretic Emmenagogue Stimulant Stomachic Tonic Vasodilator Astringent, diaphoretic, emmenagogue[116, 178]. The pericarp is anaesthetic, diuretic, parasiticide and vasodilator[176]. It is used in the treatment of gastralgia and dyspepsia due to cold with vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, ascariasis and dermal diseases[176]. It has a local anaesthetic action and is parasiticide against the pork tapeworm (Taenia solium)[176]. The pericarp contains geraniol. In small doses this has a mild diuretic action, though large doses will inhibit the excretion of urine[176]. There is a persistent increase in peristalsis at low concentration, but inhibition at high concentration[176]. The leaves are carminative, stimulant and sudorific[147, 218]. The fruit is carminative, diuretic, stimulant, stomachic and tonic[147, 218]. The seed is antiphlogistic and diuretic[218]. A decoction of the root is digestive and also used in the treatment of snakebites[218]. The resin contained in the bark, and especially in that of the roots, is powerfully stimulant and tonic[82].

Known Hazards

None known