Rhus coriaria
| Rhus coriaria | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Sapindales |
| Family: | Anacardiaceae |
| Genus: | Rhus |
| Species: | R. coriaria
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rhus coriaria | |
Rhus coriaria, commonly called Sicilian sumac,[1] tanner's sumach,[2] or elm-leaved sumach, is a deciduous shrub to small tree in the Anacardiaceae or cashew family, native to southern Europe.[3] The dried fruits are used as a spice, particularly in combination with other spices in the mixture called za'atar.
Cultivation
The plant will grow in any type of soil that is deep and well-drained.[3]
Uses
The fruit has a sour taste; dried and crushed, it is a popular spice in the Middle East.[3] Immature fruits and seeds are also eaten. It is traditionally used and also clinically investigated for lipid lowering effects.[4]
The leaves and the bark were traditionally used in tanning and contain tannic acid.
Dyes of various colours, red, yellow, black, and brown, can be made from different parts of the plant.[3]
Oil extracted from the seeds can be used to make candles.[3]
Medical Benefits
Scientific studies indicate Rhus coriaria is hepatoprotective [5] (protects the liver), antimicrobial [6] and exhibits a strong antioxidant activity[7] which is rich in anthocyanins and hydrolysable tannins. Unlike the similiarly named poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), there are no reactions from Rhus coriaria documented in medical literature.
Images
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Cultivated R. coriaria, with olive trees, in Spain -
Spice (ground fruit) for sale in Istanbul -
Spice, close-up
References
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Rhus coriaria". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
- ^ "BSBI List 2007". Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. Archived from the original (xls) on 2015-01-25. Retrieved 2014-10-17.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ a b c d e Plants for a Future database accessed August 2010
- ^ "Rhus coriaria L. increases serum apolipoprotein-A1 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomized clinical trial". doi:10.1016/j.joim.2017.12.007. PMID 29397092.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help) - ^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278691509006036
- ^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0168160504002156
- ^ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308814606007734
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