The source is from the peel of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. or Z. schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc., family Rutaceae. The medicinal material is mainly produced in all parts of China and the quality of Huajiao (Pericarpium Zanthoxyli ) produced in Sichuan is the best. It is collected and dried in the sun. The crude or the stir-baked one can be used.

Medicinal Properties: Pungent in flavor, warm in nature and attributive to the spleen, stomach and kidney meridians.

Actions: Warm the middle energizer to alleviate pain, kill worms to relieve itching.

Application
1. It is used to treat syndrome of epigastric and abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea; for exterior cold invading the interior resulting in stomach-cold with abdominal pain and vomiting, it can be combined with Shengjiang ( Rhizoma Zingiberis Recens ), Baidoukou ( Fructus Amomi Rotundus ), etc. ; for deficiency-cold of the spleen and stomach with cold epigastric pain, vomiting and loss of appetite, combined with Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis) and Renshen (Radix Ginseng), such as Da Jianzhong Tang (Decoction).
2. It is used to treat abdominal pain due to ascarid. It can relieve pain as well as kill worms. It can be used alone or combined with Wumei ( Fructus Mume ), Huanglian (Rhizoma Coptidis ) and Ganjiang (Rhizoma Zingiberis), such as Wumei Wan (Pill).
3. For eczema and pruritus vulvae, it can be decocted alone for washing or used together with Kushen (Radix Sophorae Flavescentis ) , Difuzi ( Fructus Kochiae ), etc..

Usage and Dosage:
3 - 6 g is used in decoction for oral use and just right amount for external use.