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Photo by Deb Jackson
Copyright 2000 |
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Sumac
Rhus glabra
Other Names: Dwarf Sumac, Mountain Sumac,
Scarlet Sumac, Smooth Sumac, Upland Sumac, White Shoemake, Vinegar-tree, Red
sumac
Habitat
A deciduous shrub native to North America found in all 48 mainland
states of USA and in southern Canada. Found growing in thickets and waste
ground, open fields and roadsides. Cultivation is easy, root cuttings are best
long taken in December, it prefers well-drained acid soil and full sun. Sumac is
a shrub or small tree from 6 to 15 feet high, with large pinnate leaves, each
leaflet is lanceolate, serrate and green on top whitish beneath. In the fall the
leaves turn a bright red. Flowers bloom in June and July they are in dense
panicles of greenish-red small five petaled flowers. The edible fruit is a large
erect cluster of small bright red berries. Gather edible young shoots in spring,
roots and berries in fall. Dry for later herb use.
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Properties
Used extensively by Native Americans for food
and medicine. Young shoots and roots are peeled and eaten raw. The fruit is also eaten
raw, cooked or made into a lemonade-like drink. The active constituents in Sumac are being
studied for use in many diseases some possible applications are in the treatment of TB,
diabetes, and some cancers. The plant contains Calcium malate, Dihydrofisetin,
Fisetin,
Iodine, Gallic-acid-methylester, tannic and gallic acids, Selenium, Tartaric-acid, and
many beneficial minerals. An infusion of the bark or roots is alterative,
antiseptic, astringent, diuretic, galactogogue, haemostatic, rubefacient and tonic.
It is used in alternative medicine for the treatment of colds, diarrhea, fevers, general
debility, to increase the flow of breast milk, sore mouths and throats, rectal bleeding,
inflammation of the bladder and painful urination, retention of urine and dysentery and is
applied externally to treat excessive vaginal discharge, burns and skin eruptions. The
powdered bark is made into a good antiseptic salve. An infusion of the leaves is used for
asthma, diarrhea and stomatosis. A poultice of the leaves used to treat skin rashes. The
leaves also chewed for sore gums and rubbed on sore lips. An infusion of the berries
is diuretic, emetic, emmenagogue, purgative and refrigerant. It is used in the treatment of late-onset diabetes, constipated bowel complaints, febrile
diseases, dysmenorrhoea (painful or difficult menstruation). The berries have been chewed
as a remedy for bed-wetting. An infusion of the blossoms used as an eye wash for sore
eyes. The milky latex from the plant is used as a salve on sores. When broken or
cut the plant produces a milky substance which forms a solid gum-like body or gall,
containing large quantities of tannic and gallic acid. These galls are used in tanning
leather. A medicinal wine can also be prepared from them. An oil extracted from the seeds
is used in making candles. Brown, red, and black dye are obtained from the berries, said
to be excellent for wool.Folklore
Believed by some Native American tribes to
foretell the weather and the changing of the seasons, for this reason it was held as a
sacred plant.
Recipes
Cooling Drink: To a handful of berries add 2 cups cold
water, let site overnight in cool place, do not heat or liquid will become bitter and
astringent. Strain and sweeten to taste.
Folklore
Believed by some Native American tribes to
foretell the weather and the changing of the seasons, for this reason it was held as a
sacred plant.
Sumac berries, bark, root and
leaves have many uses in traditional medicine. My favorite use of sumac is to take the
berries in late summer and soak them in a jug of cold water, strain through muslin or
cheesecloth to eliminate the rough hairs, sweeten and it makes a delicious citrus tasting
drink. Berry clusters can also be used in dried arrangements and crafts, they hold their
shape and color for years if stored properly. These small trees have stunning red pinnate
leaves in autumn. They hang on to the berries all winter, until pushed off by new spring
buds. All the sumac bushes with red berries are non poisonous. Poison Sumac has drooping
white berries and is a skin irritant of the worst kind.
Article by Deb Jackson & Karen
Bergeron Next
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