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 | Sumach Other Names: Upland Sumach. Pennsylvania Sumach. Rhus copallinum
Botanical Name: Rhus glabra
Family: N.O. Anacardiaceae |
Description: |
The American Poison Ivy (Rhus Toxicodendron, Linn.) is one of the species of Sumachs, an attractive group of plants widely distributed in Europe, Asia and North America, varying much in habit from low bushes to moderately-sized trees, many of them familiar denizens of our gardens, for the sake of their ornamental foliage, which assumes beautiful tints in autumn, some of the varieties also bearing showy fruits.
Several species are of considerable importance, their value being chiefly in their leaves and sap, and in the large galls that are found on their leaves after they have been punctured by a tiny insect. The so-called Chinese Galls, of an irregular shape and astringent taste, which are imported into this country from China for tanning purposes, are formed by the puncture of the leaves of Rhus semialata, a species of aphis, and are of considerable economic value, containing 70 to 80 per cent of gallotannic acid.
There are several varieties of the plant, such as Rhus typhinum (Staghorn or Velvet Sumach), the berries of which now often replace those of R. glabra and R. copallinum (Mountain or Dwarf Sumach), and they should be carefully distinguished from the poisonous species. The non-poisonous have their fruit clothed with acid, crimson hairs, and their panicles are compound, dense, and terminal; the poisonous varieties have axillary panicles, and smooth fruit.
The flowers of R. glabra are greenish-red, and the fruit grows in clusters of small berries. It is a shrub from 6 to 15 feet high, with straggling branches and a pale-grey bark, sometimes slightly red. It grows in thickets and waste places. The berries should be gathered before the rain has removed their downy covering, for they are no longer acid when this has been washed off. They have a sour, astringent, not unpleasant taste, and are eaten freely by the country people. Their powder is a brownish-red.
When broken on the plant, a milky fluid is exuded from both bark and leaves, which forms later a solid gum-like body.
Excrescences are produced under the leaves containing quantities of tannic and gallic acid. They have been used as a substitute for imported Chinese galls, and found preferable.
The leaves, and, to a less extent, the bark, are largely used in tanning leather and dyeing. This Sumach, for the manufacture of extract for tanner's use, is largely cultivated in Virginia, where the annual crop amounts to from 7,000 to 8,000 tons. The percentage of tannin in Virginian Sumach varies from 16 to 25 per cent. That in the European or Sicilian Sumach (R. coriaria) falls from 6 to 8 per cent below the percentage of the Virginian Sumach, yet the European is preferred by tanners and dyers, since by its use it is possible to make the finer, white leathers for gloves and fancy shoes.
The American product gives the leather a yellow colour, apparently due to the presence of quercitrin and quercitin.
Large quantities of a dark-red, semi-fluid, bitter, astringent extract are prepared in Virginia from Sumach, and is said to contain 25 to 30 per cent of tannin. It is used both in Europe and America. An infusion of the berries affords an excellent black dye for wool. A medicinal wine can also be prepared from them.
Oil of Rhus may be extracted from the seeds of this and other species of the genus. It will attain a tallow-like consistency on standing, and can be made into candles, which burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke.
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Habitat: |
| Almost all parts of the United States and Canada. |
Constituents: |
The berries contain free malic acid and acid calcium malate coexist, with tannic and gallic acids, fixed oil, extractive, red colouring matter, and a little volatile oil. The active properties of both bark and berries yield to water.
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Medicinal Usage: |
The bark is tonic, astringent, and antiseptic; the berries refrigerant and diuretic.
A strong decoction, or diluted fluid extract, affords an agreeable gargle in angina, especially when combined with potassium chlorate. Where tannin drugs are useful, as in diarrhoea, the fluid extract is an excellent astringent.
The bark, in decoction or syrup, has been found useful in gonorrhoea, leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, dysentery, hectic fever, scrofula and profuse perspiration from debility. Combined with the barks of slippery elm and white pine and taken freely, the decoction is said to have been greatly beneficial in syphilis. As an injection for prolapsus uteri and ani, and for leucorrhoea, and as a wash in many skin complaints, the decoction is valuable. For scald-head it can be simmered in lard, or the powdered root-bark can be applied as a poultice to old ulcers, forming a good antiseptic.
A decoction of the inner bark of the root is helpful for the sore-mouth resulting from mercurial salivation, and also for internal use in mercurial diseases. A free use of the bark will produce catharsis.
The berries may be used in infusion in diabetes, strangury bowel complaints, and febrile diseases; also as a gargle in quinsy and ulcerations of the mouth and throat, and as a wash for ringworm, tetters, offensive ulcers, etc.
The astringent excrescences, when powdered and mixed with lard or linseed oil, are useful in haemorrhoids.
The mucilagic exudation, if the bark be punctured in hot weather, has been used advantageously in gleet and several urinary difficulties.
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Ancient Lore: |
SUMACH COTINUS COGGYRIA (= RHUS COTINUS)
The seeds dried, and reduced to a powder and taken in small doses, stop purgings and haemorrhages.
A hardy shrub with winged leaves growing in pairs and small purple flowers produced on long, thick, woolly spikes.
Where to find it: A native of warm climates, particularly of southern Europe, but grows well in colder areas where it has been introduced.
Flowering time: Summer.
Astrology: It is under the dominion of Jupiter.
Medicinal virtues: The young shoots taken by infusion strengthen the stomach and bowels. The bark of the roots and the powdered seeds stop purgings and haemorrhages.
Modern uses: The sweet Sumach (Rhus aromatica), from Canada and the United States, is now more popular with herbalists. This is an ornamental shrub growing to four feet (1.2 m) high. The bark of the root is used for its astringent and diuretic properties. It is indicated in diabetes and where there is an excessive output of urine. For incontinence in the aged and enuresis in children, the infusion of 1 oz (28 g) of root-bark to 1 pt (568 ml) of boiling water is taken in doses Of 1-2 fl OZ (28-56 ml). It will also cheek diarrhoea, vaginal discharge and dysentery.
Smooth Sumach (Rhus glabra) is also used. The bark is astringent and antiseptic, and the berries are diuretic. The bark is indicated for chronic diarrhoea and rectal bleeding. An infusion of the leaves or berries is helpful where there is bladder inflammation. For diabetes the infusion is combined in equal parts with leaves of Blueberry (Vaccinium myrtillus). For diarrhoea, combine with Blackberry root. |
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