Quick Facts
| Latin Name | Pericarpium Zanthoxyli |
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| Chinese Name & Pinyin | 蜀椒 · Shu Jiao |
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| Medicinal Part | Fruits and seeds |
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| Efficacy Category | Interior-warming |
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| Botanical Origin | The dried ripe pericarp of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. or Zanthoxylum schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc. (Rutaceae). |
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| Nature & Flavour | Acrid; Hot; Slightly toxic |
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| Channels Entered | Spleen, Stomach, Kidney |
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What Is Shu Jiao?
Shu Jiao (Sichuan Pepper) is a medicinal herb of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Shandong.
Nature & Flavour: Acrid; Hot; Slightly toxic
Channels Entered: Spleen, Stomach, Kidney
Shu Jiao: Materia Medica Profile
Identification & Quality Standard
Pericarpium Zanthoxyli
Botanical Origin
The dried ripe pericarp of Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. or Zanthoxylum schinifolium Sieb. et Zucc. (Rutaceae).
Production Regions
Primarily produced in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Shaanxi, Gansu and Shandong.
Quality Requirements
Superior medicinal material is red, oily, intensely aromatic, and with few seeds.
Macroscopic Features
Open follicles, 4~5mm diameter; externally purplish-red to reddish-brown with prominent oil dots; inner surface pale yellow; intensely aromatic and numbing.
Traditional TCM Properties
Acrid; Hot; Slightly toxicSpleenStomachKidney
Traditional Functions
Warms the middle, relieves pain, kills parasites, and dries dampness. Apply to cold-pain of the abdomen, vomiting and diarrhea from cold-damp, and abdominal pain from parasites.
How Shu Jiao Is Used in TCM
In the Chinese materia medica, Shu Jiao is classified among the Interior-warming herbs. It appears in 1 classical formulas in our library.
Formulas containing Shu Jiao are traditionally used for:
Abdominal PainStomach DiscomfortCold Limbs
Classical Formulas Containing Shu Jiao
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shu Jiao? Are Hua Jiao, Chuan Jiao, Qin Jiao and Jiao Mu the same?
The official article is Hua Jiao, the dried ripe pericarp of Zanthoxylum schinifolium or Z. bungeanum. The pharmacopoeial name is Zanthoxyli Pericarpium. Shu Jiao and Chuan Jiao are classical and Sichuan names for the same peel. Qin Jiao here usually means northern-grown Zanthoxylum (not Gentiana macrophylla). Jiao Mu is the seed: bitter-cold, moves water—not the peel. Write Hua Jiao or Shu Jiao; do not dispense the seed. Culinary pinches are far below the 3–6 g decoction dose.
What are the TCM properties and traditional uses of Shu Jiao?
According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Hua Jiao (Shu Jiao) is acrid and warm, enters the Spleen, Stomach and Kidney channels, and acts to warm the middle and stop pain, and kill parasites and stop itch. It is used for cold epigastric and abdominal pain, vomiting and diarrhea, and worm-accumulation abdominal pain; externally for eczema and genital itch. Acrid-warm and drying-hot, it suits middle cold and parasites—not Yin vacuity with fire, Stomach-fire toothache, or large doses in pregnancy.
How do you choose medicinal versus kitchen pepper? Can Jiao Mu replace it?
Decoction uses the clean pericarp: red color, dense oil dots and a lasting numbing aroma; Hanyuan “Da Hong Pao” is often preferred. A kitchen pinch is not a 3–6 g medicinal dose. Jiao Mu cannot replace the peel—the seed moves water and calms wheeze. External wash uses a suitable decoction.
Learn More About Shu Jiao
Explore our in-depth article covering the traditional uses, properties, functions, and TCM context of Shu Jiao.
Read the Shu Jiao Guide →
Medical Disclaimer — This article is provided for educational purposes only and describes traditional Chinese medicine concepts. It is not medical advice, and it is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner before using any herb, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or managing a diagnosed condition.
