Individual Herbs Notebook

/ Hua Jiao / Chuan Jiao

Pharmaceutical: Pericarpium Zanthoxyli
Taxonomy: Zanthoxylum bungeanum seu schinifolium

Other names: Sichuan Pepper

Category: Herbs that Warm the Interior and Expel Cold



Properties: Pungent, warm

Meridans Entered:
Primary: Spleen, Stomach and Kidney
Extraordinary Vessels: Du


Traditional Actions/Indications:
  1. Warms the Middle Jiao, disperses Cold and Wind Evils, dispels Dampness, relieves diarrhoea and alleviates pain
    Spleen and Stomach Deficiency Cold with Cold and pain in the abdomen, vomiting and diarrhoea
    Topically for pain
  2. Kills Parasites and alleviates abdominal pain
    Abdominal pain due to roundworms
    Moist dermal ulcers
    Gu Parasites / chronic inflammatory disease (Fruehauf, 2015)
  3. Warms the Kidneys, tonifies Jing, fortifies the teeth, promotes the growth of hair, and brightens the eyes
    Premature ageing with hair loss, loose teeth and poor vision
    The Shen Nong Ben Cao Jing says that protracted taking may make the body light, render a good facial complexion, slow ageing, prolong life, and enable one to communicate with spirits.

Suggested Daily Dosage: 3-6g in decoction.


Notable Constituents:
Appears in 23 formulae listed on this site: (click to display)
Research Links & References: (click to display)