MEDICINAL PLANTS

Sumac is a shrub that can reach over a meter tall and even three in fertile land. Its branches are herbaceous and are soft to the touch because of the enormous amount of fine hair that covers them. The leaves consist of a set of chips, whose number varies between four and seven, and that are affected by twos, with one in the end, are lanceolate in shape and are lined with very little hair on the beam, much more abundant on the undersides. The stem is woody or resinous. He is originally from the countries of Latin warmer. In Spain is on slopes and rocky slopes of the southernmost part of the peninsula.

FLOWERING

Sumac blooms in summer and the fruits ripen in autumn. Its flowers form clusters at the end of the branches and exhales a typical evening scent of honeysuckle, which then goes missing. The fruit is a pea-like brownish, covered with pretty hair. It collects virtually the entire plant, because we can get her flowers, fruits, roots, leaves and bark.

APPLICATIONS

The leaves and branches are composed of sumac tanning materials. Once used to cut the diarrhea, but this is not advisable, since poisoning has occurred. He is credited under marinate raw hides and skin tightening, especially the finest. Also historically have been ascribed other properties, including removing the roughness of the tongue when mixed with honey and healthy when applied piles of oak charcoal. However, it is advisable not to make any home-prepared with the sumac. His only virtue is to be very astringent, but you can substitute other plants that meet the same function and are not harmful to health.

ADMINISTRATION

Cook. They are cooked 15 grams of dried plant in a liter of water, boil for five minutes, allowed to cool and filtered to remove the remains of the plant. It is recommended to take two cups a day, but always under medical prescription for its use as a home remedy is dangerous.
Ointment. Mix 7.2 grams of galls of oak, cypress nuts and pomegranate peel, about 10 grams of myrtle and ivy leaves and finally add about 14 grams of zinc sulfate. All ingredients are reduced to fine powder and added to an ointment pink. This ointment formerly used because it was a good astringent.

SUMMARY

FAMILY: Anacardiaceae
HABITAT: Rocky hillsides
FLOWERING: Summer
PART USED: Leaves and branches
CASTILIAN: Zumaque
CATALAN: Sumac
BASQUE: Zumake, tano
GALICIAN: Sumagre

USES

Strong astringent, Antidiarrheal Moderate, Moderately Toxic.