Flora Palaestina Ethnobotany

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Rhus coriaria L.

Elm-leaved Sumach, Sicilian Sumach, Tanner`s Sumach

Family

Anacardiaceae

Synonym(s)

English name(s)

Elm-leaved Sumach
Sicilian Sumach
Tanner`s Sumach

Arabic Name(s)

summaq سماق

Hebrew Name(s)

og ha-burseqa'im

אוֹג הַבֻּרְסְקָאִים

Life Form

Phanerophyte shrub

Habitat

Mediterranean maquis and forest

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Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Other Uses

Medicinal Complaints / Uses

Rhus coriaria L.

System/State	Traditional Complaint/Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/ Administration	Parts Used	Source
Endocrine/ Metabolic	Diabetes	Hypoglycemic	1. Decoct ground epicarp (See NOTES 2) & drink daily. (B) 2. Mix fruit + few coffee beans + "hilbeh" (Trigonella foenum-graecum) + Cinchona bark. Roast mixture, grind into fine powder & add small amount of "luban" (resin of Boswellia sp. see NOTES 3). Prepare a drink without sugar & take x1 full cup/day for 40 days. (Z)	Epicarp, Fruit	B, Z
Gastrointestinal	Abdominal pain	Carminative	Prepare infusion of fruits by soaking in boiling water for 30 min & drink x1 cup as needed.	Fruit	B
Gastrointestinal	Diarrhea (B) Diarrhea/ dysentery (Z)	Anti-Infective, Anti-diarrheal	1. Mix 1 teaspoon ground epicarp (see NOTES 2) + 1 teaspoon starch + 2 teaspoons water & drink ? teaspoon mornings before breakfast. (B) 2. Mix epicarp + rose water & drink x1-2 cups as needed.(B) 3. Mix ground epicarp + 1 cup yougurt & drink x1 cup/day for 2 weeks. (B) 5. Steep fruit in warm water & drink on empty stomach. (Z) 6. Cook fruits in water + Majorana syriaca or gallnuts from oak (Quercus sp.) & eat. (Z) 8. Cook red meat from goat's neck in water in which fruits have been steeped & eat. (Z) 9. Decoct fresh or dried fruits in water for 15 min, cool, filter through gauze, mix + egg yolk & drink 1 cup x3/day for 3 days (can also be drunk without egg & sugar). (Z) 10. Steep small amount of karshina seeds (Vicia ervilia) overnight. Next day, boil for 15 min, cool & filter. Crush 3 pealed garlic cloves + 1 small teaspoon of Rhus fruits & mix all ingredients together; drink mixture every morning for 3-7 days. (Z) 11. For diarrhea following a cold: decoct leaves & drink. (Z)	Epicarp, Fruit, Leaf	B, Z
General	Reduce swelling	Anti-hydropic	Grind fruits to powder, cook + honey, spread on cloth & apply to swollen area.	Fruit	Z
Infectious Diseases	"White" gonorrhoea (i.e. with a white discharge)	Anti-Infective	Decoct flowers & drink.	Flower	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Kidney inflammation /nephritis	Anti-inflammatory	Decoct flowers & drink.	Flower	Z
Kidney & Urinary Tract	Urinary retention	Deobstruent	Soak fruit in hot water & drink. I cup x2/day according to response.	Fruit	B
Nervous system	Headache	Analgesic	Soak fruits in boiling water for ? hour, filter & drink x1 cup as needed.	Fruit	B
Opthalmic	Excess tearing	Anti-tearing	Steep fruit in cold water & apply as eye drops; also drink steeped water frequently.	Fruit	Z
Oral Health	Strengthen teeth	Anti-caries	Soak fruits in water to extract juice & gargle before meals.	Fruit	B
Oral Health	Toothache	Analgesic	Decoct ground fruits & gargle x1-2/day as needed.	Fruit	B
Women`s Health	Increase milk production for lacatation	Galactagogue	Eat fruits + honey.	Fruit	Z
Wound Healing	Wash wounds & burns	Anti-septic	Prepare infusion of fruit & wash affected area with it.	Fruit	Z

Other Uses

Rhus coriaria L.

System/State	Complaint / Use	Activity / Interpretation	Traditional Preparation/Administration	Parts Used	Source
Cosmetic	Hair colouring	Dye	Decoct leaves & apply to hair.	Leaf	B
Culinary	Spice	Seasoning	Mix fruits + "za'tar" (Origanum sp.) & add to food.	Fruit	Z

System/State

Complaint / Use

Activity / Interpretation

Traditional
Preparation/Administration

Parts Used

Source

Cosmetic

Hair colouring

Dye

Decoct leaves & apply to hair.

Leaf

Culinary

Spice

Seasoning

Mix fruits + "za'tar" (Origanum sp.) & add to food.

Fruit

The authors of FLORAPALE, (Flora Palaestina Ethnobotanical) web site do not take responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of the plants described here. Always seek advice from a health professional before using a plant medicinally or for other purposes. See DISCLAIMER.

Notes

1. Z notes that Rhus coriaria is also used in Kurdistan & its Kurdish name is "samuqa".
2. The epicarp (exocarp or flavedo) used in several recipes for Rhus coriaria is the tough outer skin of the fruit.
3. Use of this plant in diabetes (Z), includes "luban" a resin from Boswellia sp. mainly Boswellia sacra (Frankincense) which is dried in the sun & crushed.

Cautions

The fruits & other parts of Rhus coriaria contain urushiols (3-alkyl pyrocatechol derivatives). These are powerful allergens causing painful dermatitis in sensitive people but can be effective in sub-microgram amounts. Lethal poisonings have been reported on ingestion or inhalation allowing urushiols to attack the mucous membranes of mouth, nose & intestines. Tannins in bark can cause a laxative effect.