Botanical Name: Rhus glabra

Common Name:

English: Smooth Sumach,
Also, known as: Indian Salt, Scarlet Sumach, Mountain, Sumach, Dwarf Sumach, Upland sumach

Habitat: Almost all parts of the United States and Canada

Origin: USA

Harvested: Wild

Parts Used: Fruit

General Information:

There are several species of Sumac and care should be taken in their identification, as some are poisonous. But this, the blue Glabrum, may be easily distinguished by the colour acidity of the berries and their appearance in cone-shaped bunches. R. glabrum is a shrub 8-15 ft. tall, consisting of many straggling branches covered with a pale grey bark, having occasionally a reddish tint. The leaves are alternate, consisting of from six to fifteen lanceolate, acuminate, shining and green above, whitish beneath, turning red in the autumn. When the green leaves or limbs are cut or broken, a milky juice exudes. The flowers are greenish-red on spikes followed by long bunches of hard, red down covered berries, extremely sour to the taste, which is due to malate of lime. They can be found growing in thickets and waste grounds of Canada and the United States, flowering June to July, the fruit maturing in September and October. The berries should be gathered before the rain washes away the acid properties which reside in their external, downy efflorescence.

How to use:

Decoctions are suitable for roots, barks, large seeds & berries, and other dense material. The simple way to make decoction is, in a saucepan, add 1 tablespoon of dried herbs to 1 cup of water. Bring the water to boil, reduce heat and simmer for 30-60 minutes. Strain and squeeze out as much as liquid as possible and enjoy!

Tips:

You can sweeten your herbal decoctions with a bit of honey, natural fruit juice, stevia leaves powder and or licorice root powder.

Precautions:

You should consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using any herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.

All information on this website is for educational purposes ONLY.

This information has not been evaluated by Health Canada.

This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sumac Berry Whole