Herbarium of the Ancients — Detailed Notebook

Zanthoxylum piperitum

Please read before use: the information below describes traditional and informational uses — it does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. If in doubt, pregnant, breastfeeding, undergoing treatment, or for use in children, seek advice before use.

Enhanced precautions for this plant: Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding for therapeutic use, outside of moderate culinary use, without advice from a healthcare professional. Use with caution in people undergoing medication treatment, particularly due to possible interactions; seek professional advice. Do not exceed usual culinary quantities without advice from an herbalist or physician, due to the aromatic potency and warming effect of the plant. Avoid prolonged use or high doses in children.

Infusion — Dried seeds / fruits

Sansho digestive infusion

Lightly crush a few dried fruits and let them steep in hot, not boiling, water for about ten minutes. Strain before drinking, preferably after meals. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Decoction — Seeds / fruits

Decoction for external friction

Gently boil a small quantity of crushed fruits in water for fifteen minutes, then allow to cool. Apply as a local compress to the affected area, not exceeding a few applications per day, and consult a professional if in doubt. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Powder — Dried and ground seeds / fruits

Condiment and digestive powder

Finely grind dried fruits to obtain a powder to sprinkle on dishes, in the traditional Japanese manner, to facilitate digestion of rich meals. Dosage should be validated with a healthcare professional or recognized pharmacopoeia before use.

Where to find it

Sourcing the plant

Dried sansho or powder can be found in Asian grocery stores and certain specialized herbal shops; the shrub can also be cultivated in temperate climates in a sheltered garden.

Harvest season

When to harvest

The fruits are harvested in autumn, when the capsules begin to open and release their black, fragrant seeds.

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