There are around 250 different types of flowering plants in the Rhus family, thriving in subtropical and temperate areas. These plants have been used by indigenous cultures for various medicinal and other purposes. Sumac spice, specifically Rhus coriaria, is of particular interest due to its tangy, lemony flavor, making it a great souring agent in rich dishes. It’s also a main ingredient in the popular Middle Eastern spice blend, za’atar.
Research shows that sumac spice offers several health benefits for both the body and mind. In India, staghorn sumac has been used for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. A well-loved sumac tea is praised worldwide for its strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Sumac’s juices, red seeds (known as drupes), and leaves are commonly used. The seeds are ground into a reddish-purple powder, widely used in cooking throughout the Middle East, Levant, and Central Asia. This powder can also be made into a “lemonade” and was traditionally smoked with tobacco in mixtures. It has long been known as an effective medicinal spice.
Sumac contains various phytochemicals, including tannins, polyphenols, flavonoids (like luteolin, apigenin, and quercetin), organic acids, essential and fatty oils. It also has minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, and boron, along with vitamins B6, B1, and B2. The fruit of Rhus coriaria contains some vitamin C and its tart taste comes from high malic acid levels.
Sumac spice boosts appetite, supports digestion, and helps reduce symptoms of reflux, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and hemorrhoids. It has been shown to alleviate nausea and vomiting in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Sumac’s anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties help manage infectious and inflammatory bowel diseases.
Staghorn sumac is used for conditions involving pain and inflammation, like osteoarthritis. It’s also helpful for hay fever, depression, high cholesterol, liver disease, and itchiness. It pairs well with strong, warm spices such as cinnamon, black pepper, and ginger.
In lab settings, sumac fruit can inhibit free radicals and has shown potential in improving health and protecting against chronic diseases. Benefits of sumac lemonade include appetite improvement and digestive support, reducing reflux, diarrhea, gastric ulcers, and hemorrhoids.
Traditionally, sumac berries were used as a paste on skin burns and eczemas to enhance wound healing. Research indicates sumac fruit extracts can prevent skin inflammation and improve wound healing by reducing excessive bleeding.
Sumac tea has shown strong antimicrobial effects against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with ripe fruit being more effective than unripe. It also exhibits antiviral and antifungal activities. Thanks to these properties, sumac is effective in managing tooth infections and periodontitis, and has been used in dentistry to combat tooth decay by reducing bacteria in the mouth. Sumac berries were traditionally used for cleaning teeth.
Sumac powder shows potential in breast cancer treatment by suppressing tumor growth and angiogenesis. Studies on sumac powder reveal promising results for managing triple-negative breast cancer. Sumac also provides antioxidant protection against genotoxic carcinogens, offering DNA-protective benefits.
The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of sumac have shown improvements in ischemic optic neuropathy in rats and reducing symptoms of eye inflammation.
Sumac bran has notable cardioprotective effects, particularly beneficial for those with lipid profile issues. It increases HDL and decreases LDL cholesterol levels, with combined therapy lowering LDL even further. The tannins in sumac prevent vascular smooth muscle cell migration, helping prevent atherosclerosis and reducing high blood pressure.
Sumac berries help lower blood sugar levels and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes. In animal studies, sumac led to weight loss and improvements in blood glucose and lipid profiles. In humans, a three-month regimen of sumac significantly reduced cardiovascular disease risk in diabetes patients.
A study on the effect of sumac juice on exercise showed it significantly reduced muscle pain, possibly due to its antioxidant properties, suggesting potential benefits for athletes.
However, caution is advised as some Rhus species are toxic, causing severe allergic reactions. These poisonous types can be identified by their white drupes, instead of red.
