Edible Parts: Fruit  Oil
Edible Uses: Drink  Oil

Fruit - cooked[22, 62]. A very sour flavour, they are used in pies[183]. The fruit is rather small and with very little flesh, but it is produced in quite large clusters and so is easily harvested. When soaked for 10 - 30 minutes in hot or cold water it makes a very refreshing lemonade-like drink (without any fizz of course)[55, 85, 95. 101, 102, 183]. The mixture should not be boiled since this will release tannic acids and make the drink astringent.

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antihaemorrhoidal  Antiseptic  Astringent  Blood purifier  Diuretic  Emetic  Galactogogue  Poultice  
Stomachic  Tonic  VD  Warts

Stag's horn sumach was often employed medicinally by several native North American Indian tribes who valued it especially for its astringent qualities[257]. It is little used in modern herbalism. Some caution is advised in the use of the leaves and stems of this plant, see the notes above on toxicity. The bark is antiseptic, astringent, galactogogue and tonic[222, 257]. An infusion is used in the treatment of diarrhoea, fevers, piles, general debility, uterine prolapse etc[213, 222]. An infusion is also said to greatly increase the milk flow of a nursing mother - small pieces of the wood were also eaten for this purpose[257]. The inner bark is said to be a valuable remedy for piles[257]. The roots are astringent, blood purifier, diuretic and emetic[222]. An infusion of the roots, combined with purple coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) has been used in the treatment of venereal disease[257]. A poultice of the roots has been used to treat boils[257]. The leaves are astringent. They have been used in the treatment of asthma, diarrhoea and stomatosis[222]. An infusion of the fruits has been used as a tonic to improve the appetite and as a treatment for diarrhoea[257]. The berries are astringent and blood purifier[257]. They were chewed as a remedy for bed-wetting[222, 257]. A tea made from the berries has been used to treat sore throats[213]. The flowers are astringent and stomachic. An infusion has been used to treat stomach pains[257]. The sap has been applied externally as a treatment of warts[226]. Some caution is advised here since the sap can cause a rash on many people[K].

Dye  Hedge  Hedge  Ink  Mordant  Musical  Oil  Pipes  Shelterbelt  Soil stabilization  Tannin  Wood

The leaves are rich in tannin, up to 48% has been obtained in a controlled plantation[223]. They can be collected as they fall in the autumn and used as a brown dye or as a mordant[169, 171]. The bark, especially the root bark, and the fruits are also very rich in tannin[82, 159, 169]. A yellow dye can be obtained from the roots[257]. An orange dye can be obtained from the inner bark and central pith of the stem, mixed with bloodroot (Sanguinaria canadensis)[257]. A black ink can be made by boiling the leaves and the fruit[226]. An oil is extracted from the seeds[4]. It attains a tallow-like consistency on standing and is used to make candles. These burn brilliantly, though they emit a pungent smoke[4]. Pipes are made from the young shoots and are used for drawing the sap of sugar maples (Acer spp)[82]. They are also used as flutes[159]. The plant has an extensive root system and is planted as a windbreak screen and to prevent soil erosion[200]. Wood - soft, light, brittle, coarse grained[82, 101]. It weighs 27lb per cubic foot[235]. Of no commercial value, though it is sometimes used as a rough construction wood or is employed in turning[226].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Hedge  Hedge