Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Sumac, derived from plants in the Rhus genus (particularly Rhus coriaria), has a longstanding place in traditional medicine systems, especially in the Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It has been used primarily as a culinary spice, but also for a variety of medicinal purposes, including digestive complaints. Some ethnobotanical sources and traditional Persian medicine texts suggest that sumac can be used as a remedy for digestive issues, including constipation, due to its astringent and mildly laxative effects. These uses, however, are not extensively documented in English-language literature, and the references are largely anecdotal or based on traditional practices rather than robust clinical studies.

From a scientific perspective, there is minimal evidence supporting sumac's effectiveness for constipation in adults. Most available studies focus on its antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties rather than gastrointestinal effects. No significant randomized controlled trials or systematic reviews have evaluated sumac specifically for constipation. Therefore, while its use for constipation is justified by tradition in certain cultures, the scientific evidence supporting this use is weak, meriting a low evidence rating.

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