Native tree numbs toothache, attracts largest butterflies in North America

SHREVEPORT, La. ( KTAL/KMSS ) – Many Southerners raised in rural regions of the Deep South have been told that Native Americans once used a special tree to relieve toothache.

But there’s more to the toothache tree than its ability to numb the mouth, gums, and tongue.

The toothache tree, Zanthoxylum clava-herculis , is found across rural Northern Louisiana, though it’s becoming more difficult to find it as the years pass.

Also known as “ Hercules’ Club ,” the bark of the tree native to the Southwest and Deep South seems to be covered in oyster-shaped growths that somewhat resemble teeth.

The tree is also known as Pepperbark, Tickle Tongue, and Prickley Ash. It’s in the Rutaceae family, which means it’s kin to edible citrus fruits such as lime and lemon. The plant family known as Turaceae is also called the Rue or the Citrus family.

Toothache Tree fruits

The fruit of the toothache tree is tiny, with a 6 mm diameter, a rough surface, and black seeds.

An old wives tale recommends chewing the leaves, bark, or twigs to numb the mouth, teeth, and gums.

This old-time remedy was taught to many early settlers by Native Americans who had used the medicine since prehistoric times.

A 1996 study by J M Bowen, R J Cole, D Bedell, and D Schabdach found that toothache tree (classified as Southern Prickly Ash tree) extracts do appear to exert their action on neuromuscular transmission through the blockade of end-plate receptors.

Giant butterflies

Deer eat the leaves of this tree, and birds eat the fruit.

But the toothache tree is also a host plant for the Giant Swallowtail butterfly , the largest butterfly in all of North America.

The enormous butterfly is found along the Gulf Coast, in parts of Mexico, and on the islands of Jamaica and Cuba.

The Giant Swallowtail’s native territory is along the Gulf of Mexico, including north Louisiana, and across the entire American South. It’s also found in midwestern states and sporadically throughout the Southwest. But the Giant Swallowtail butterfly has been expanding its territory northward as the earth warms.

Where is the toothache tree found?

The toothache tree can be found in almost every parish in the state of Louisiana, including the following parishes in the KTAL viewing area: Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, De Soto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine, Webster, and Winn.

The Acadian-French name for the toothache tree is “ Frene piquant .”

You can order a toothache tree at Eco Blossom nursery for $54.98, or order 30 Zanthoxylum clava-herculis seeds for $14 on etsy .

The information contained within this article is meant to preserve American culture and should not be used as medical advice.

Stay up to date with the latest news, weather and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play stores and by subscribing to the WGNO newsletter .

Latest Posts

• Governor Landry discusses signing of education bills
• Justin Timberlake’s attorney speaks out after DWI arrest
• Cyberattack disrupts operations at car dealerships across US: What we know
• Search for Wisconsin 3-year-old Elijah Vue nears four months
• Lafayette trampoline gymnast looks for 2nd consecutive Olympic appearance

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.