Last Updated on October 10, 2024
Do you know about staghorn sumac medicinal uses? There are so many different ways this amazing plant can be used. Better yet, staghorn sumac often grows easily in the wild.
So not only is this plant beneficial to humans in many ways, but it also grows naturally. All parts of the plants can be used for different reasons.
Sumac has been used by indigenous people as sacred medicine for thousands of years. The plant is native to regions in North America. If you live in these areas, it is likely you have seen it around. This is because it grows in abundance.
It grows about 5 meters tall and has a pattern of forking branches. The branches also have a lot of hairs on them. A combination of the hairs and the forking pattern earned this plant its name, “staghorn sumac” because it looks like antlers.
One way you can distinctly recognize this plant is by its unique-looking flowers. According to Yale University, “The flowers of a staghorn sumac tree form distinctive, upward-pointing, cone-like clusters” These cones are a beautiful, bright red.
Now that you know how to identify the plant, let’s discuss staghorn sumac medicinal uses. As mentioned before, there are plenty of benefits. Keep reading this article to learn more!
Table of Contents
How Can I Use Staghorn Sumac?
Staghorn sumac has many different parts. Each part has a different medical benefit. You can use the flowers, the berries, the leaves, and the bark!
Let’s go through each part of the tree and learn the staghorn sumac medicinal uses.
In general, staghorn sumac is very high in vitamin C and contains antioxidants. This is why indigenous populations consume sumac when they are sick with the flu or fever.
When people had a cough or cold, they would use the berries to make a decoction. A decoction is when you mash up the fruits, bark, and roots and boil it in very hot water. At the end of the process, it is reduced to a thick, syrup-like texture.
Once that is prepared, you can drink it to help your sickness. This is particularly useful for any respiratory-related illness.
Another way staghorn sumac can help the lungs is to ingest the leaves through smoking. In order to do this, you need to dry the leaves in the sun until they lose all their liquid. At that point, you will be able to grind the leaves into a powder and roll it into a cigarette.
This is very good for clearing the lungs.
As mentioned earlier, each part of the plant has different benefits. The inside of the bark of staghorn sumac can be used as an astringent. This means that it is something that helps the skin heal.
Indigenous populations used the bark when they had cuts and sores. You can mash up the bark to create a salve. Apply this salve to any open cuts and sores you may have.
It will assist in the healing process.
Learn more about: How To Prepare Moringa Powder?
Other Health Benefits Of Staghorn Sumac
Aside from the ones previously mentioned, staghorn sumac can be useful in treating hemorrhaging, burns, loss of appetite, poison ivy, and overall good health. Since staghorn sumac is so high in antioxidants, it is a great thing to add to your diet.
In many Mediterranean foods, they use sumac as a spice. The spice provides a slightly sour taste to the cuisine. It is made by grinding up the berries and making them into powder.
If you want to make your own spices and medicine, you can harvest sumac on your own. The best time to harvest in North America is in August. Keep in mind, that once you harvest, you will have a lot of processing to do.
Since it grows so generously in the wild, there is really no reason to buy sumac. In order to harvest, simply cut off the red berries from the plant and put them into a basket. Try to avoid plants that are on busy roads, as the pollution from the cars can be on the plant.
Remember, that staghorn sumac can be up to 15 feet tall, so some of the berries may be quite hard to reach. Usually, the trees grow in clusters, so there will be many to harvest from in one area.
If you do not want to make a spice from the berries you can make a tea. It will resemble the flavor of a hibiscus tea and is packed with vitamins! Now you can see all of the staghorn sumac medicinal uses.
It is such a versatile plant and all parts of it are useful. Since it grows so easily, why not give it a try? Even if you only make a simple tea, it will help boost your immune system. Give it a try!
Feel free to comment and ask questions below.
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Tanya is an environmental enthusiast who loves living green and sustainable. She is passionate about educating others on how to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce their environmental footprint. She is a firm believer that we can all make a difference by taking small steps towards reducing our carbon footprint. Tanya has a degree in Environmental Studies and is currently working at a local non–profit organization which focuses on educating the public about sustainable living. In her free time, Tanya enjoys gardening, biking, and exploring nature. She also loves to cook healthy meals using organic and locally–sourced ingredients. Tanya is committed to doing her part to help preserve our planet for future generations.