Overview of Research on Essential Oils of Zanthoxylum bungeanum: Composition, Activity, Applications, and Challenges

As the main active component of <i>Zanthoxylum bungeanum</i>, its volatile oil (ZEO) exhibits diverse pharmacological activities, including insecticidal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor effects. These properties support its traditional functions, such as "expelling worms" and "warming the Middle Jiao to alleviate pain and relieve itching." However, modern research mainly validates individual components or effects, leaving notable gaps in understanding this complex system. This review integrates research on ZEO, summarizing its composition, influencing factors, and mechanisms of action. By framing the "composition-activity-mechanism-application" continuum, this review analyzes the basis for the holistic, multi-component, multi-target therapeutic model of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). It clarifies the core TCM principles of pharmacological symbiosis and synergy through formula compatibility. These insights form a theoretical basis for further development and wider application of ZEO in fields such as medicine, food, and daily chemical products.