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Ash

Last Editorial Review: 6/11/2021
Other Name(s):

Bird's Tongue, Common Ash, European Ash, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus excelsior, Franc Frêne, Frêne, Frêne d'Amérique, Frêne Blanc, Frêne Blanc d'Amérique, Frêne Commun, Frêne Élevé, Frêne Franc, Fresno Americano, Fresno Blanco, Grand Frêne, Weeping Ash, White Ash.

Overview

Ash is a plant. The bark and leaf are used to make medicine.

People take ash for fever, arthritis, gout, constipation, fluid retention, and bladder problems. It is also used as a tonic.

Don't confuse ash with northern prickly ash or southern prickly ash.

How does it work?

There isn't enough information to know how ash works.

QUESTION

Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See Answer

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

  • Gout. Gout occurs when too much of a chemical called uric acid accumulates in the blood. Early research suggests that taking a combination product containing ash bark and Smilax glabra root (Rebixiao granules) by mouth reduces levels uric acid in the blood better than the drug diclofenac in people with gout.
  • Fever.
  • Arthritis.
  • Bladder problems.
  • Constipation.
  • Increasing urine production to relieve water retention (as a diuretic).
  • Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of ash for these uses.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

Side Effects

There isn't enough information to know if ash is safe to use as medicine.

SLIDESHOW

Vitamin D Deficiency: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? See Slideshow

Special Precautions & Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There is not enough reliable information about the safety of taking ash if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of ash depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for ash. 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 your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

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Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

Ji, W., Zhu, X. X., Tan, W. F., and Lu, Y. Effects of Rebixiao granules on blood uric acid in patients with repeatedly attacking acute gouty arthritis. Chin J Integr.Med 2005;11(1):15-21. View abstract.

Klein-Galczinsky, C. [Pharmacological and clinical effectiveness of a fixed phytogenic combination trembling poplar (Populus tremula), true goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) and ash (Fraxinus excelsior) in mild to moderate rheumatic complaints]. Wien.Med Wochenschr. 1999;149(8-10):248-253. View abstract.

Kostova, I. Fraxinus ornus L. Fitoterapia 2001;72(5):471-480. View abstract.

von Kruedener, S., Schneider, W., and Elstner, E. F. A combination of Populus tremula, Solidago virgaurea and Fraxinus excelsior as an anti-inflammatory and antirheumatic drug. A short review. Arzneimittelforschung 1995;45(2):169-171. View abstract.