Hua Jiao (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli) is derived from the peel of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. or Z. schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc., family Rutaceae. It is generally produced all over China, however, the highest quality is regarded as that which comes from Sichuan province. It is harvested and then dried in the sun. It is used in either its crude form or after stir-baking.
Category: Interior Warming.
Common Name: Sichuan Pepper; Zanthoxylum; Chinese Prickly-Ash.
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach and Kidney.
Properties and Functions: Hua Jiao is pungent in flavour and warm in nature. Its main function is to warm the Middle Jiao to relieve pain. It also acts as an anti-parasitic, killing worms as well as relieving itching.
Indications: Clinical indications for use include:
- Exterior Cold invading the interior, causing Stomach-Cold, manifesting as epigastric and abdominal pain with vomiting and diarrhoea.
- Deficiency Cold of the Spleen and Stomach with epigastric pain, nausea, vomiting and loss of appetite.
- Abdominal pain due to worms. It can relieve pain and also kill the worms. It is commonly combined with Wu Mei (Fructus Mume), Huang Lian (Rhizoma Coptidis) and Gan Jiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis), such as in Wu Mei Wan.
- For eczema and pruritus vulvae. It can be decocted alone to use as an external wash or used together with Ku Shen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) etc.
Dosage: 3 – 6g
Cautions and Contra-Indications: Contra-indicated for patients with blazing Fire due to Yin deficiency. Use with caution during pregnancy.