Hercules Club
OTHER NAME(S): Frêne Épineux Américain, Frêne Épineux du Sud, Fresno Espinoso del Sur, Prickly Ash, Prickly Yellow Wood, Sea Ash, Southern Prickly Ash, Southern Toothache Tree, Tickle Tongue, Toothache Tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis, Zanthoxylum macrophyllum, Garrote de Hércules, Clavalier des Antilles
Overview
Hercules club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis) is a plant. The bark and berry are sometimes used to make medicine.
Hercules club is used for blood circulation problems, inflammatory conditions, and many other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Uses
We currently have no information for Hercules Club overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Hercules club is safe or what the side effects might be.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Hercules club is safe or what the side effects might be.
Pregnancy: It's likely unsafe to use Hercules club when pregnant. It might start your menstrual period and that could harm the pregnancy. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Breast-feeding: It's possibly unsafe to use Hercules club when breast-feeding. It might cause colic in a nursing infant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
Minor Interaction
Be watchful with this combination
- Antacids interacts with Hercules ClubAntacids are used to decrease stomach acid. Hercules club can increase stomach acid. Taking Hercules club might decrease the effects of antacids.
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (H2-blockers) interacts with Hercules ClubH2-blockers are used to decrease stomach acid. Hercules club can increase stomach acid. Taking Hercules club might decrease the effects of H2-blockers. Some common H2-blockers include cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), and famotidine (Pepcid).
- Medications that decrease stomach acid (Proton pump inhibitors) interacts with Hercules ClubProton pump inhibitors are used to decrease stomach acid. Hercules club can increase stomach acid. Taking Hercules club might decrease the effects of proton pump inhibitors. Some common proton pump inhibitors include omeprazole (Prilosec), lansoprazole (Prevacid), rabeprazole (Aciphex), pantoprazole (Protonix), and esomeprazole (Nexium).
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Hercules club might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- Newall CA, Anderson LA, Philpson JD. Herbal Medicine: A Guide for Healthcare Professionals. London, UK: The Pharmaceutical Press, 1996.
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Brinker F. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions. 2nd ed. Sandy, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications, 1998.