Ash Leaf, Fraxinus excelsior Leaf

Scientific Name: Fraxinus excelsior L. Synonyms: Fraxinus striata Dum.Cours. English Name: Ash Leaf Other Names in English (UK, USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand): Ash, Black ash, Common Ash, European Ash Leaf Family: Oleaceae

GENERAL DATA

Plant Parts: Tree bark, leaf, fruit seed and manna
Cultivation Mode: Wild collection/ Cultivated
In Manufacturing: Pharmaceutical, alcoholic and non- alcoholic beverages, extract, cosmetics, herbal tea, oil, hydrosol, pickles, fuel (wood), furniture (wood), livestock feed, sporting equipment such as tennis racquet and etc.

🍃 Industries That Use Ash Leaf (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Ash leaves, while less commonly used than the bark or seeds, have a long-standing presence in traditional medicine, cosmetics, and some emerging nutraceutical formulations due to their anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.

1. Pharmaceutical & Herbal Medicine Industry

Ash leaves have been valued for their anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and diuretic effects in traditional herbal medicine.

Applications:

• Herbal infusions for rheumatism, arthritis, and gout

• Mild laxative and diuretic in traditional European remedies

• Used in blends for joint support and urinary health

• Occasionally found in herbal tinctures and capsules

✅ Approved in European Pharmacopoeia as a herbal medicine

2. Nutraceutical & Functional Food Industry

Ash leaf extracts are increasingly included in functional supplements and detox teas.

Uses:

• Herbal detox and anti-edema teas

• Combined with Dandelion, Nettle, and Birch for fluid regulation

• Supports metabolism and circulation in aging support blends

✅ Considered a natural alternative for mild water retention and inflammation

3. Cosmetics & Skincare Industry

Thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds (like flavonoids and iridoid glycosides), Ash leaf extract is occasionally used in cosmetic formulations.

Applications:

• Anti-aging and skin-firming products

• Toners and creams for sensitive or inflamed skin

• Herbal blends for bath soaks and spa products

✅ Extracts provide mild toning and cooling effects for skin

4. Veterinary & Animal Care Industry

In some traditional practices, Ash leaf is used in herbal remedies for livestock, particularly in digestive or joint tonics for horses and cattle.

✅ Used under expert guidance only

✅ Summary of Key Applications

🍃 Key Features:

• Part Used: Dried or fresh leaves

• Form: Cut/sifted, powder, extract, infusion

• Taste/Odor: Mildly bitter and herbaceous

• Main Compounds: Rutin, fraxin, esculin, flavonoids, iridoids

• Traditional Systems: European folk medicine, phytotherapy

• Harvest Season: Spring and summer (before flowering)

🌳 Industries That Use Ash Bark (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Ash bark, a time-honored component in European herbal traditions, is used for its astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic properties. Although not as commonly utilized as the leaves, it still holds value across pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic industries.

1. Pharmaceutical & Traditional Herbal Medicine

Ash bark has been historically used to treat fevers, inflammation, and digestive issues. Its bitter and astringent compounds contribute to its medical value.

Applications:

• Traditional fever remedies and antipyretic preparations

• Used as a digestive bitter to stimulate gastric secretions

• Supports arthritic and joint health due to anti-inflammatory effects

• Occasionally used as a tonic in folk medicine

✅ Form: decoctions, tinctures, powdered capsules

2. Nutraceutical Industry

Ash bark extracts are now appearing in modern supplements, particularly in blends targeting joint health, circulatory support, and immune modulation.

Common Uses:

• Ingredient in joint flexibility supplements

• Combined with Willow bark, Birch bark, or Turmeric in anti-inflammatory blends

• Liver and gallbladder support formulas

✅ Often standardized for coumarins and phenolic acids

3. Cosmetic & Personal Care Industry

Due to its tannin-rich profile, Ash bark extract is occasionally used in natural skin formulations.

Applications:

• Astringent and toning agents in herbal skincare

• Used in scalp tonics for oily or itchy scalp

• Found in herbal soaps, creams, and aftershave lotions

✅ Known for its cooling and firming properties

4. Tanning & Dyeing (Traditional Uses)

Ash bark, like other tannin-rich tree barks, was traditionally used in leather tanning and natural dyeing.

Historical Uses:

• Provides light yellow to tan dye for wool and natural fibers

• Tannin-based leather preparation

✅ Now rare, but occasionally revived in heritage crafts

✅ Summary of Key Applications

🌳 Key Features:

• Part Used: Inner bark of mature trees

• Form: Dried strips, powder, decoction, extract

• Taste/Odor: Bitter and mildly woody

• Main Compounds: Coumarins (fraxin), tannins, phenolic acids, flavonoids

• Traditional Systems: European folk medicine, German phytotherapy

• Harvest Season: Late winter to early spring

🌰 Industries That Use Ash Seeds (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

Ash seeds, also known as samaras, are the winged fruits of the European Ash tree. While far less commonly used than the bark or leaves, they have niche applications in phytotherapy, cosmetics, and emerging nutraceutical research due to their potential antioxidant and anti-aging properties.

1. Pharmaceutical & Herbal Medicine Industry

Ash seeds have been rarely used in traditional European herbal practices, but recent interest has grown due to their flavonoid content and bioactive potential.

Applications:

• Tinctures and extracts for circulatory and venous support

• Studied for their venotonic (vein-supporting) properties

• Occasionally used in combination formulas for capillary fragility and edema

• Mild antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects

✅ Emerging botanical in Western phytotherapy

2. Nutraceutical & Functional Supplement Industry

Ash seed extract is a newly developing ingredient in high-end supplements, often aimed at microcirculation and aging support.

Uses:

• Added to nutraceutical blends for varicose veins and spider veins

• Investigated for use in skin microcirculation and anti-aging formulations

• Potential inclusion in eye health supplements for vascular support

✅ Research ongoing; niche but promising applications

3. Cosmetic & Dermocosmetic Industry

Ash seed extract is slowly gaining attention in cosmeceutical formulations, particularly for its anti-aging, brightening, and vascular-protective properties.

Applications:

• Found in eye contour creams (especially for puffiness and dark circles)

• Used in anti-redness serums for sensitive skin

• Added to natural anti-aging blends with horse chestnut and butcher’s broom

✅ Recognized for microcirculation-boosting and skin-brightening properties

✅ Summary of Key Applications

🌰 Key Features:

• Part Used: Winged seeds (samaras)

• Form: Dried seed, powdered extract, liquid extract

• Taste/Odor: Mildly bitter, woody

• Main Compounds: Flavonoids (rutin, quercetin), fraxin, aesculin, tannins

• Harvest Season: Autumn (September–October)

• Traditional Systems: Mostly modern; limited historical usage

🍃 Comparison: Ash Leaf vs Bark vs Seeds (Fraxinus excelsior L.)

✅ Summary:

• Ash Leaves are the most widely used in herbal infusions and joint-health remedies.

• Ash Bark plays a role in fever and digestion, and finds niche use in skincare.

• Ash Seeds are emerging as botanical actives in vascular support and cosmeceuticals.

 

PRODUCT NAME IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES

Persian Name: زبان گنجشک/ Zaban Gonjeshk
German Name (Deutschland, Austria, Switzerland): Eschenblätter, Gemeine Esche, Gewöhnliche Esche
French Name (France, Belgium, Switzerland, Quebec): Frêne, Feuilles de Frêne

 

HARVEST CALENDAR

 

🧾 Nutrition Facts – Dried Ash Leaf (Fraxinus excelsior L.) (Per 100g)

Botanical Name: Fraxinus excelsior L.
Common Names: Ash Leaf, European Ash, Common Ash
Part Used: Mature leaves (air-dried)
Traditional Use: Used in European herbal traditions for joint support, urinary health, mild laxative and diuretic effects, and detoxification

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🔹 General Composition (Per 100g, dried)

Nutrient	Amount	% Daily Value (DV)
Calories	~238 kcal	12%
Water (residual)	~9 g	—
Protein	~17.6 g	35%
Total Fat	~3.1 g	4%
• Saturated Fat	~0.4 g	2%
Carbohydrates	~32 g	11%
• Dietary Fiber	~24 g	86%
• Natural Sugars	~1.8 g	—

🌿 High in fiber and plant protein with low sugar and fat content — ideal for infusions and herbal blends

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🔬 Mineral Content

🍃 A valuable source of magnesium, potassium, iron, and manganese

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🌿 Vitamin Content

🌱 Rich in Vitamin K and A, supportive of blood function and tissue health

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🧪 Phytochemical & Bioactive Compounds

• Iridoid Glycosides (e.g., fraxin, fraxetin) – Anti-inflammatory, joint support

• Tannins – Astringent and gut-toning effects

• Flavonoids (e.g., rutin, quercetin) – Antioxidant and circulatory support

• Phenolic Acids – Modulate oxidative stress

• Caffeic and Chlorogenic Acids – Detox and liver support

• Volatile Oil (trace) – Contributes to mild diuretic action

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🩺 Health Benefits