Zanthoxylum Bungeanum Fruit Extract

Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit extract comes from a plant known commonly as Chinese prickly ash or huajiao. Seeds from the prickly ash are a major component of Sichuanese cuisine thanks to their aromatic and numbing properties. This fruit has also been used for centuries as a traditional herbal medication to treat ailments ranging from stomach issues to skin conditions.

Interestingly, the numbing effect isn’t the result of an irritant response; rather, it is because of this fruit’s natural analgesic (pain-relieving) properties and how it reacts with taste receptors on the human tongue. Its purpose in Sichuan spice mixes is to mitigate the effects of some of the other ingredients included.

As with most plant extracts, Zanthoxylum bungeanum delivers antioxidant benefits to help fight free-radical damage. Studies have also found that it has anti-inflammatory properties.

Of particular interest is research pointing to the topical application of Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit extract having lifting abilities. Some of these studies involved a commercial ingredient blend called Zanthalene ® which includes this extract. The makers of Zanthalene ® refer to it as “phyto-Botox ®”, implying that it has the same (or at least similar) visibly lifting properties as Botox ® (botulinum toxin), the well-known prescription injectable used to temporarily prevent the contraction of muscles which lead to wrinkles.

While Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit extract does have short-term and long-term wrinkle-fighting abilities, no research thus far has demonstrated that they are equal to those provided by prescription Botox ®, so it is important to take these claims with a grain of salt. That said, it is still an intriguing ingredient to add to your skin care arsenal, provided you temper expectations.