Sweet Sumac
OTHER NAME(S): Aromatic Sumac, Fragrant Sumac, Fragrant Sumach, , Lemon Sumac, Lemon Sumach, Polecatbush, Polecat-Bush, Rhus canadensis Marshall, Skunkbrush, Squawbush, Sweet Fragrant Sumac, Sweet Sumach, Rhus aromatica, Zumaque Oloroso, Sumac Aromatique
Overview
Sweet sumac is a plant. The root and stem bark are used to make medicine. Do not confuse sweet sumac with poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix).
People take sweet sumac for kidney and bladder problems including irritable bladder, loss of bladder control, and bed-wetting, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
There isn't enough information available to understand how sweet sumac works.
There isn't enough information available to understand how sweet sumac works.
Uses
Insufficient Evidence for
- Bed-wetting.
- Irritable bladder.
- Kidney disorders.
- Loss of bladder control (urinary incontinence).
- Overactive bladder.
- Painful bladder syndrome (interstitial cystitis).
- Uterine bleeding.
- Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of sweet sumac for these uses.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Sweet sumac is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts, short-term. A combination of sweet sumac extract, pumpkin seed oil, and hops extract has been safely used for up to 12 weeks in women. There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet sumac is safe or what the side effects might be when taken for more than 12 weeks.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Sweet sumac is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts, short-term. A combination of sweet sumac extract, pumpkin seed oil, and hops extract has been safely used for up to 12 weeks in women. There isn't enough reliable information to know if sweet sumac is safe or what the side effects might be when taken for more than 12 weeks.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use sweet sumac when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Sweet Sumac overview.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of sweet sumac depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for sweet sumac. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
References
- Foster S, Duke JA. The Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants: Eastern and Central North America. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1990.
- Reichling J, Neuner A, Sharaf M, Harkenthal M, Schnitzler P. Antiviral activity of Rhus aromatica (fragrant sumac) extract against two types of herpes simplex viruses in cell culture. Pharmazie 2009;64(8):538-41.
- Gauruder-Burmester A, Heim S, Patz B, Seibt S. Cucurbita pepo-Rhus aromatica-Humulus lupulus combination reduces overactive bladder symptoms in women - a noninterventional study. Planta Med. 2019;85(13):1044-53.