Evidence supporting the use of: Rhus coraria
For the health condition: Ulcerations (external)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Rhus coraria, commonly known as sumac, has a long history of use in traditional medicine systems, particularly in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and parts of Asia. Traditionally, sumac has been applied externally to help manage and treat ulcerations and wounds. Ethnobotanical records indicate that its astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties were valued for promoting wound healing and reducing infection risk in external ulcers and sores. Preparations often involved creating poultices or washes from the crushed fruits or leaves.
While there is some laboratory evidence suggesting that extracts of Rhus coraria possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties—factors that could theoretically benefit wound healing—direct clinical or preclinical studies supporting its efficacy in the treatment of external ulcerations are currently limited or lacking. Most of the support for this use comes from traditional knowledge passed down through generations rather than from validated scientific studies. Thus, while the traditional use is well-documented, the overall evidence rating for efficacy remains moderate due to a lack of robust clinical validation.
Other ingredients used for Ulcerations (external)
Aloe verabisabolol
dyer’s woad root
Japanese sophora
Lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
Marshmallow
protease
vitamin C
Zinc
Rubia cordifolia
Yarrow
Moss
amber
birch
sheep's sorrel
assam indigo
camphor oil
Stillingia
Wood betony
White oak
melaleuca alternifolia
arnica
Ardisia
Acacia
Agrimony
Antirrhinum majus
Achyranthes
Abrus
Alchornea
Alchemilla
Ajuga
aucubin
American Liverleaf
Aquilegia formosa
Allantoin
Alkanet
Ampelopsis
Acemannan
asarabacca
Abuta
Alkanna
Arisaema
butter
bai ji
Baliospermum
Baphicacanthus cusia
bleeding heart
black-eyed Susan
bloodroot
benzoin
Bletilla
boxwood
comfrey
celandine
cranesbill
Cedrus libani
Chiococca alba
cocklebur
dragon\'s blood
dianthrone
Erigeron
English elm
European field elm
Echinodorus
Elaeagnus glabra
figwort
ficin
Glutamine
Gambir
Genipa americana
Guazuma ulmifolia
Houttuynia
hound\'s tongue
hairy arnica
Immortelle
Jessica\'s sticktight
Kigelia africana
Levant cotton
Lophira lanceolata
lac resin
Lygodium
Mountain horopito
Matico
Mahonia
mandrake
Marking Nut Tree
Oak
purple Tephrosia
Povidone
Plumeria lancifolia
Pellitory
Plumbago zeylanica
purple loosestrife
Potentilla
red soapwort
Rhus coraria
red spiderling
Rhus glabra
Sanicle
Spilanthes
Sinapis arvensis
Shikonin
Smooth Alder
Sangre de Grado
Sesquiterpenic Acid
Sapindus mukorossi
Simaruba
Storax
Teucrium marum
Tannins
Thuja
Thymol
Takuna
Tea Tree Oil
Taraxol
Wrightia tinctoria
Witch Hazel
Western Buttercup
Waltheria ovata
Yerba Mansa
Other health conditions supported by Rhus coraria
Scratches and AbrasionsUlcerations (external)
Wounds and Sores