Synopsis

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

Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua) has a long history of traditional use among Native American and early settler populations in North America. The tree’s resin, sometimes called "storax" or "sweetgum balsam," was used for a variety of ailments, including as a remedy for coughs, wounds, and occasionally gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea. Ethnobotanical records indicate that some indigenous groups chewed sweetgum resin or prepared teas from the bark or leaves to ease digestive discomfort, which may include symptoms like nausea and vomiting. However, this usage was not universally widespread, and historical documentation is relatively scant.

Despite these traditional uses, there is minimal scientific evidence to support the use of sweetgum for nausea and vomiting. Modern research has primarily focused on the potential antiviral, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties of the resin and leaves, with little attention to effects on the gastrointestinal tract. No clinical trials or robust animal studies have confirmed its efficacy for nausea or vomiting. Thus, while sweetgum’s use for these symptoms can be traced to traditional practices, the overall evidence is weak (rated 1 out of 5), and it should not be considered a reliable or evidence-based remedy for nausea and vomiting in contemporary practice.

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