Plant Stories – The ‘Toothache Tree’
There are so many interesting plants and trees at Painshill which you may have walked past and not even noticed. For example, have you heard of the ‘toothache tree’ or the ‘tingle tongue’?
Zanthoxylum plants are sometimes given these names due to their analgesic properties. In the past, people would chew on the bark or leaves to numb their troublesome teeth.
Painshill’s creator, the Hon Charles Hamilton, would have received plants such as this as seed from the United States back in the 18th century and visitors of the time would have been thoroughly impressed with his exotic plant collection.
Although this is fascinating history, we would like to remind visitors not to pick, cut or eat any of the plants, berries, nuts or flowers found in the landscape as some are toxic.