7 Surprising Potential Health Benefits of Sichuan Pepper, Backed by Research

After the classic question, “Is Sichuan pepper spicy?” (answer: it’s not), the next question we at 50 Hertz Tingly Foods get asked most is: “Is Sichuan pepper actually healthy?”

The short answer: yes – and it’s backed by both centuries of use in traditional Chinese medicine and a growing body of modern peer-reviewed scientific research.

Jump straight to the science by clicking here.

Before we dive in, a quick note: We’re sharing scientific findings and historical context — not medical advice or health claims. Most of the studies referenced are early-stage and involve concentrated extracts, not everyday culinary use. Still, the results are both promising and fascinating.

Earliest Descriptions of Sichuan Pepper’s Health Benefits

One of the earliest mentions of Sichuan pepper’s medicinal use is found in the Shénnóng Běncǎo Jīng (神農本草經), also called The Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica, a classic Chinese text compiled during the 1st–2nd centuries AD. There, it is listed as shǔjiāo (蜀椒), an ancient name for Sichuan pepper, with the following translated description of its medicinal properties:

Mainly treats pathogenic qi, rebellious coughing, and warms the digestive organs… alleviates painful cold-damp obstruction. Long-term use prevents graying of the hair, lightens the body, and extends lifespan. Grows in the river valleys of Sichuan.

Pictured: Shen Nong, the Legendary Father of Chinese Herbal Medicine. Image by Gan Bozong, via Wellcome Collection.

Sichuan Pepper’s Place in Modern Chinese Medicine

Sichuan pepper, aka “huājiāo  (花椒, flower pepper),” is officially included in China’s pharmacopoeia (the government’s official list of common medicines) and is used in over 30 medical prescriptions to treat issues like vomiting, stomach pain, toothaches, diarrhea, and skin problems. [1]

Photo: Illustration of Sichuan pepper’s therapeutic effects on various parts of the human body from Deng et al., Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 2019), Source.

Detractors of traditional Chinese medicine often dismiss it as unscientific — but in the case of Sichuan pepper, modern research is telling a different story.

Peer-reviewed studies now suggest that Sichuan pepper may offer potential health benefits. From antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties to early signs of gut and heart support, the science is beginning to catch up.

It turns out the ancients might’ve been onto something.

And while diving into every study would be overkill, here’s a snapshot of what the research is starting to reveal — a blend of old wisdom and new discoveries.

What Modern Science Says About the Potential Health Benefits of Sichuan Pepper

1. May Support a Healthy Gut Microbiome

Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum bungeanum) may help promote better gut health, according to a recent study on mice conducted by researchers at Southwest University in Chongqing. [2]

In the study, diabetic rats were administered compounds extracted from Sichuan pepper berries (pericarp), which led to improved gut health by boosting beneficial short-chain fatty acids and increasing the abundance and diversity of healthy gut bacteria in the rats.

While the research has only been done in animals, the affected gut bacteria are also found in humans — pointing to potential benefits for human gut health, though more studies are needed to confirm this.

2. Powerful Antioxidant Potential

Sichuan pepper isn’t just about the tingle — it’s also rich in natural antioxidants that may help protect cells from damage.

In a pharmacological review, researchers at Chengdu University’s College of Pharmacy identified over 140 compounds in Sichuan pepper with potential antioxidant activity — capable of neutralizing harmful free radicals linked to inflammation, aging, cancer, and heart disease. [3] One such antioxidant compound found in Sichuan pepper is quercitrin — one of the most common flavonoids found in superfoods like green tea.

These findings suggest certain compounds found in Sichuan pepper may help support the body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress.

3. May Help Reduce Inflammation and Discomfort

Sichuan pepper has traditionally been used in China to ease itching and discomfort, including toothaches.  

The same Chengdu University review highlights several studies showing that Sichuan pepper extracts may help reduce inflammation and pain. In one animal study cited, a water-based extract of Sichuan pepper reduced ear swelling in mice by over 65% and lowered pain responses to acetic acid by 51%. [3]

Researchers at Toyama University’s Institute of Natural Medicine also found that compounds from Sichuan pepper pericarps (berries) helped calm overactive immune cells by reducing excess nitric oxide — a chemical linked to inflammation. [4]

While human studies are still lacking, research in animals and lab settings points to Sichuan pepper’s potential to reduce inflammation.

4. May Help Fight Tumor Growth

Early lab studies suggest that certain compounds in Sichuan pepper may have anti-tumor properties — though the research is still in its infancy.

In a comprehensive literature review, researchers at Chengdu University reported that concentrated essential oil from Sichuan pepper inhibited the growth of several cancer cell types, including liver, cervical, lung, breast, and blood cancers. [3]

A 2015 study by researchers at Southwest University found that sanshool, the natural compound responsible for Sichuan pepper’s tingling effect, helped stop the growth of isolated human liver cancer cells and triggered them to self-destruct. [5]

While promising, these findings are still early-stage and come from lab tests using high-concentration extracts on isolated human cancer cells in a dish — not in people or from eating Sichuan pepper — so they should be interpreted with caution.

5. May Support Heart Health

Researchers are also starting to explore how Sichuan pepper might support heart health — especially when it comes to lowering cholesterol and reducing inflammation in blood vessels.

In a literature review, researchers at Sichuan Orthopedic Hospital in Chengdu cited that essential oil from Sichuan pepper lowered “bad” cholesterol (LDL), triglycerides, and total cholesterol, while raising “good” cholesterol (HDL). In some cases, Sichuan pepper also reduces blood sugar and signs of inflammation in blood vessels. One compound — alpha-linolenic acid, found in the seeds (not used in our products) — even helped prevent blood clots in mice. [6]

While most of this research is still in the early stages and uses concentrated extracts from both berries, leaves, and seeds in lab settings, it opens the door for future studies on how Sichuan pepper might help support a healthier heart.

6. May Have Natural Germ-Fighting and Preservative Properties

Sichuan pepper doesn’t just add a numbing kick — it may also help fight certain germs.

In a separate study from Sichuan University, concentrated extracts of Sichuan pepper were shown to kill or inhibit bacteria like E. coli and Staph, as well as molds and fungi linked to spoilage and plant disease. [7] A study from Gansu University even found it helped reduce mold damage on potatoes. [8]

These results come from lab studies using high concentrations of extracted Sichuan oil — not the small amounts found in Sichuan pepper–infused cooking oils. While your stir-fry likely won’t have the same effect, the findings may help explain Sichuan pepper’s traditional use in Chinese food preservation techniques, such as Chinese pickling (paocai, 泡菜), a topic our friends at The Mala Market have covered in depth.

7. May Help Smooth the Look of Fine Lines and Wrinkles

Sichuan pepper might offer more than just a flavor boost — it could also give your skin a quick pick-me-up. 

In a small cosmetic study from the University of Eastern Piedmont in Italy, women applied a cream made with Sichuan pepper extract. Rich in sanshool — the compound behind Sichuan pepper’s signature tingle — the cream produced a noticeable “lifting” effect within 30 minutes and a “modest long-term anti-wrinkle effect.” Many participants self-reported their skin looked smoother and more lifted after just one use of the sanshool-rich cream. [9]

Another clinical study from the Department of Dermatology at the University of Sichuan found that a topical formula with 2% Sichuan pepper (berry) extract “has a significant short term anti-crow’s feet effect.” While the effects were temporary, the results suggest Sichuan pepper may help soften the look of fine lines — at least in the short term.  [10]

Sichuan pepper won’t replace Botox any time soon, but the cosmetic applications could be a fun, natural way to perk up tired skin. (Sichuan pepper skincare line, anyone?)

Just to be clear: please don’t slather Sichuan pepper oil or sprinkle Sichuan pepper on your face — we love a good stir-fry, but your cheeks aren’t the wok. The Sichuan pepper used in the studies were all strictly medical formulations.

More Than Just a Tingle

From ancient Chinese medical treatises to modern lab studies, Sichuan pepper continues to surprise us. While most research so far involves concentrated extracts administered in lab settings — not what you'd get from your dinner — the early findings are promising.

At the very least, it’s a flavorful way to add some zing to your plate — and maybe even a little support for your gut, skin, and more. So no, it’s not “spicy” in the usual sense. But is it healthy? While research is still early, there are some tingling signs it just might be!

Sources Cited

[1] Zhang, D. (2021). A comparative overview on chili pepper (Capsicum genus) and Sichuan pepper (Zanthoxylum genus): From pungent spices to pharma-foods. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 117, 148–162.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0924224421001886

[2] Peng et al. (2025). Zanthoxylum alkylamides improve hepatic glucose metabolism by regulating gut microbiota in STZ-induced T2DM rats. Fitoterapia, 184, 106623. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0367326X25002485?via%3Dihub 

[3] Zhang, M. (2017). Zanthoxylum bungeanum Maxim. (Rutaceae): A systematic review of its traditional uses, chemistry, and pharmacology. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 18(10), 2172.https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/18/10/2172

[4] Tezuka, Y. et al. (2001). Screening of Chinese herbal drug extracts for inhibitory activity on nitric oxide production and identification of an active compound of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 77(2–3), 209–217. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/11535366/ 

[5] You, Y. et al. (2015). Sanshool from Zanthoxylum induces apoptosis in human liver cancer cells. Food Science and Biotechnology, 24, 2169–2175. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10068-015-0289-3 

[6] Deng, S. et al. (2019). Molecular basis of neurophysiological and antioxidant roles of Szechuan pepper. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 117, 108696. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332219300447?via%3Dihub#bib0340 

[7] Zhu, R.X. et al. (2016). Essential oil composition and antibacterial activity of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. African Journal of Microbiology Research, 10(3), 74–81. https://academicjournals.org/journal/AJMR/article-full-text-pdf/2142B3A15652 

[8] Xue, H. et al. (2023). Pathogenicity, mycotoxin production, and control of potato dry rot caused by Fusarium spp.: A review. Journal of Fungi, 9(8), 843. https://www.mdpi.com/2309-608X/9/8/843 

[9] Artaria, C. (2011). Lifting properties of the alkamide fraction from the fruit husks of Zanthoxylum bungeanum. International Journal of Cosmetic Science, 33(1), 54–59. https://www.academia.edu/92901710/Lifting_properties_of_the_alkamide_fraction_from_the_fruit_husks_of_Zanthoxylum_bungeanum#loswp-work-container 

[10] Zeng, X. et al. (2019). The effect of Zanthoxylum bungeanum maxim extract on crow's feet: A double-blind, split-face trial. Dermatologic Therapy, 32(6), e13079. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31482633/