The leaves of Sichuan pepper are also a common traditional Chinese medicine, and its roots, stems, leaves, and fruits all have medicinal value. It is particularly good in driving away cold and keeping warm, warming the middle and dispersing cold, and also has the effect of removing wind and swelling. It is also effective in preventing rheumatoid arthritis and contusions and injuries, and it is also very good in treating stomachache and indigestion caused by catching a cold.

1. Rich in Substances

The fruit contains volatile oil, the main component of which is ocimene, accounting for about 77.99%, in addition, it also contains α- and β-pinene, camphene, nonylaldehyde, caprylic aldehyde, 1,8-cineole, citral, p-cymene, safrole, borneol, bornyl acetate, γ-patchoullene, and other components. The seeds contain fatty acids, among which caprylic acid accounts for 55.27%, lauric acid accounts for 32.21%, and it also contains stearic acid, palmitic acid, myristic acid, and caprylic acid.

2. Effects and Functions

Roots, branches, leaves, and fruits are used medicinally; leaves can warm the middle and disperse cold, break qi and relieve stagnation, and remove wind and swelling; roots are used for treating fatigue and weakness, edema due to dampness, numbness of the limbs, rheumatoid arthritis, and contusions and injuries; fruits are used for treating stomachache. Internally: decocted for服。

3. Clinical Application

3.1. ‘Tang Bencao’

Mainly for heart and abdominal pain, cold in the middle. Breaks stagnation.

3.2. Treatment of abdominal cold pain

One to two liang of Sichuan pepper root, two liang of yellow wine, some water, decocted to half a bowl, take before meals.

3.3. Treatment of apoplexy without speech

One qian of dried Sichuan pepper fruit and one qian of Sphagneticola trilobata seeds. Grind together and soak in boiling water for服。(From ‘Shaanxi Chinese Herbs’).

3.4. Treatment of rheumatic numbness and joint pain

Roots of Epimedium sagittatum, old heron grass, grass, tendinous grass, groundsel, root of white mugwort, pine grass. Soak in wine and take.

3.5. Treatment of asthma: two liang of Sichuan pepper fruit, one set of pig’s lung. Add yellow wine, tasteless or add sugar, and simmer for服。Take one or two times and finish. (From Jiangxi ‘Herbal Manual’).

3.6. Treatment of rheumatic paresis

One to two liang of Sichuan pepper root, one pig’s foot (7 inches), four liang of yellow wine, and some water for decoction. Take before meals, twice a day. From ‘Fujian Folk Herbs’.

4. Scientific Research