Nov 13, 2020
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Staghorn Sumac
Staghorn sumac (Rhus typhina)
When most people hear “sumac” their minds immediately go toward those white waxy berries with leaves of poison that can leave you scratching for eons. Well, this is not that. The only thing similar about the two plants, really, are their shared name.
Staghorn sumac is nature’s delicious herbal lemonade alternative! This is one of the first plants that gained my attention when I moved back to Virginia. It was everywhere I looked and it seemed so out of place. It has a tropical and kind of magic feeling about it. It seemed so unique and otherworldly. You’re likely to find this plant pretty easily if you go seeking it as it is abundant and widespread.
It grows in colonies with the larger trees up to 20 feet in the center with smaller shrub size sumacs on the outside. You can harvest the fruit much of the year but, in my opinion, it’s best to grab it in July or August.
Notable identifiers are the serrated leaves and cone shaped fuzzy red fruit. What you’re after are the red fuzzy fruit berries. They will lose their hairs after a heavy storm or being washed so make sure you harvest during a dry spell and don’t wash them!
Remove the berries off the fruit but beware because worms love to live in the center. Pay them no mind and just pick the clean berries around the pod, stopping if you see any worms or worm poop. I know, it sounds disgusting, but I promise you it’s not. Try and remember most gardeners purposely put worn castings in their soil... they are highly beneficial!
The berries can then be steeped in cold water for 30 minutes- several hours depending on how strong or tart you like your “lemonade”. Yes, it tastes like lemonade! (Some say it tastes like cranberry juice as well but that’s not been my experience.) In fact, you can check the fruit before you harvest by rubbing it and licking your finger. If you get a strong lemon taste, you’re good to go! Now, it’s important that you only do cold infusions with this herb/fruit. A hot infusion won’t hurt you but it will taste absolutely terrible.
So, medicinal benefits?
Definitely!
Staghorn sumac is extremely rich in vitamin C and is an excellent choice in the treatment of inflammatory conditions of the urinary tract.
It reduces inflammation, promote tissue healing, and helps reduce infection due to many kinds of bacteria as well as Candida albicans.
Sumac helps to reduce prostate inflammation as well.It has general anti-inflammatory properties and is beneficial in the treatment of conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and gout.
Sumac is useful for the treatment of fever and respiratory infections in that it helps to dry out the sinuses.
As a very safe herb, it can be used for the treatment of childhood ailments as well.
Sumac improves circulation and helps to lower blood pressure making it an excellent herb for the treatment of cardiovascular conditions.
Another traditional use of sumac is for the treatment of diabetes. It isn’t yet clear whether it just lowers blood sugar levels or helps to restore pancreas function. Most master herbalists I know tend to believe the latter.
Sumac has a moderate effect on the nervous system making it an ally for anxiety and depression and it also improves digestion.
To gain the medicinal properties of sumac, I would recommend the “lemonade” mentioned before, which is really just a delicious tea that you would sweeten or a fresh herb tincture available from your local herbalist. So, get out, look up, and grab that beautiful fuzzy fruit! It could do a lot of good for you!
Working on some #fallleaves #botanicalprints today. I listed the original, one of a kind #herbarium #specimen yesterday, but the vibrant colors and the ever so slight curve to this #staghornsumac leaf just begged to become a print as well. #rhustyphina #autumnleaves https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs3czQFDOh5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1oo1eu56onff3
It was a very windy day, and on top of the lovely sunshine that we had, came the sound of buzzing bees! #Bee #Nikon #Photography
As we begin the march from summer into fall, the Staghorn Sumac are now in bloom. With their flaming flower heads reaching into the sky, the Staghorn sumac are striking upon our landscape. As fal…
Thank you everyone who attended the forage walk today! It was a gorgeous day and a wonderful group of people! Here are some pics of some of what we identified today. Saw this carved heart in a sugar maple and even though I don’t usually like seeing carvings in bark I thought it was sweet! 1. Mature Old man of the woods 2. Mature #Reishi 3. Ripe #elderberries 4. Wild pear 5. Queen ann’s lace aka wild carrot 6. Turkey tail mushrooms 7. #Staghornsumac 8. #Mugwort 9. #Jewelweed There was so much more magical medicine in the woods today. This is such an abundant time of year. I hope you all can get outside and experience the magic! #foraged #foraging #wildplants #wildmushrooms #chiforhealing #forager #foragewalk #natureconnection #edibleplants #medicinalplants #earthdayeveryday #sustainableliving #earthconscious #earthconnection #selfcaresunday #gaiacentrichealing (at Middletown, Connecticut) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSDWGh5jf4h/?utm_medium=tumblr
#basketry #sumac #staghornsumac #basketmaking #sumacharvest https://www.instagram.com/p/CGw9-TFjqAL/?igshid=4duqmfyfdqse
Gathered a bit of extras along with mullein and stag horn sumac. The grapes I am thinking of making a jam out of. The rest I’ll dry for teas and such. It was a good morning! #grapes🍇 #staghornsumac #mullein #eveningprimrose #yarrow #chicory #pinkclover #nature #ilovenature #naturelovers #naturelover #woods #mountainlife #mountainlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CEo6yiJsAoI/?igshid=1nemx3njy93dy