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Szechuan pepper

The Szechuan pepper tree is a plant of the genus Zanthoxylum. The bark and berries of the Szechuan pepper tree are used to make medicine. Szechuan pepper tree products are used to treat vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, water retention, parasites, snake bites and skin diseases. They are also used as a painkiller, stimulant and tonic. In food, Szechuan pepper is used as a spice.

How do Szechuan pepper tree products work?

It is not known how Szechuan pepper tree products might work.

How effective are Szechuan pepper tree products?

There is not enough scientific data to assess the effectiveness of Szechuan pepper tree products for pain, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach pain, water retention, parasites, snake bites and skin diseases, or when used as a stimulant or tonic. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Szechuan pepper tree products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

There is not enough information to say whether Szechuan pepper tree products are safe and harmless or what side effects they may have.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of Szechuan pepper tree products during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using Szechuan pepper tree products.

Operations: Szechuan pepper tree products could slow down blood clotting. There are concerns that this could increase the risk of bleeding during and after operations. For this reason, the use of Szechuan pepper tree products should be discontinued at least 2 weeks before planned operations.

Interactions with medications

Care should be taken when combining Szechuan pepper tree products with the following medications:

Medications that slow down blood clotting

Szechuan pepper tree products could slow down blood clotting. Taking Szechuan pepper tree products in combination with medications that also slow down blood clotting could increase the risk of bleeding and the tendency to bruise.

Some medications that may slow blood clotting include aspirin, diclofenac (Voltaren), ibuprofen, naproxen and others.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of Szechuan pepper tree products depends on various factors such as age, health condition and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for Szechuan pepper tree products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Chen IS, Wu SJ, Tsai IL. Chemical and bioactive constituents from Zanthoxylum simulans. J Nat Prod 1994;57:1206-11
  2. Yang YP, Cheng MJ, Teng CM, et al. Chemical and anti-platelet constituents from Formosan Zanthoxylum simulans. Phytochemistry 2002;61:567-72.