One of the most common ornamental trees is the staghorn sumac or vinegar tree, a photo and description of which is the content of our article.

Sumac has earned so much attention due to the fact that it is unpretentious, has many useful properties and is the main decoration of any yard.

Its huge leaves provide pleasant shade in summer and spring, and in autumn they turn into incredibly bright colors.

What does it look like

Staghorn sumac is a deciduous tree that grows up to 10 meters. It has odd pinnately compound leaves, similar to the mountain ash, approximately 20-55 cm long.

Young leaves and branches are covered with velvety hairs. The flowers are red-brown in color and collected in voluminous cone-shaped panicles about 15 centimeters long.

After flowering, small red fruits are formed, inside of which there is a seed. The Sumachy family is characterized by yellow, orange and red leaves in autumn.

Species

Staghorn sumac

Interestingly, the Sumac genus has about 200 species, among them the most common are:

• Staghorn- the most beautiful representative of the genus, about 10 meters high. Has large leaves, flowers are collected in dense panicles. The fruits are small red drupes.
• Fragrant- a small shrub no more than two meters in height, the leaves are cut into three sessile leaves, upper part The leaves are smooth and dark green, the lower ones are pubescent and lighter. The flowers are collected in a spike, yellowish. The fruits are large, bright red with one large seed inside.
• Chinese- grows in Asian countries. The flowers are small, collected in a spike, whitish.
• Tannic– a typical representative of the genus, a shrub 5 meters in height. The leaves are about 14-17 cm, imparipinnate. The flowers are white or greenish-white, collected in panicles up to 25 cm long. Ripe fruits have a red-brown color.

When it blooms

The vinegar tree begins to bloom in early June or July.

Thanks to their splendor, they seem to be solid cones, which stand on a tree like a New Year's star. The important thing is that this species has several varieties (Dissecta and Laciniata), which may differ slightly from each other.

Application in landscape design

Thanks to its lush and rich form, the crop looks ideal on empty areas of the lawn, spreading out like an acacia tree in Safari. Combines with coniferous crops.

It should be taken into account that in the garden the crop reaches a maximum of 5 meters. The important thing is that it can be planted in poor and dry soil. The main condition for growth is a sufficient amount of light and the absence of waterlogging.

Features of care

The culture does not require any care at all. It tolerates droughts easily, does not require watering, and can bloom several times per season.

Interestingly, pruning is not required, or rather it is completely prohibited (except for sanitary procedures). But this tree also has a huge drawback! Root shoots can fill the entire garden, with sprouts resembling wild cherries in their abundance.

Preparing for winter

This tree winters in our climate without problems, sometimes it can freeze slightly, but this is not scary and does not require special protective measures. Any damage in winter is quickly restored and during flowering it becomes just as lush and beautiful.

Reproduction

It is best to use vegetative propagation; this is perfect for root growth. This is quite practical and does not require trips to markets and stores to look for seedlings or seeds.

Please note: It is a mistake to try to grow sumac from seeds as it is almost impossible. The important thing is that even if the seed manages to germinate, the seedling will most likely be weak and almost non-viable. This is a very complex process that is best not attempted by novice gardeners.

If there is an empty and sunny area in your garden, plant sumac on it. This plant will create a unique atmosphere of a Mediterranean garden.

How to plant a vinegar tree and how to care for it, see the tips in the following video:

Sumac is a spreading miracle, perhaps one of the most ancient plants on our planet. Of the wide variety of species of this large, but very decorative tree, fluffy sumac occupies a separate place. The plant is able to decorate any area from the beginning of spring until the theatrical and decorative fall of leaves with the luxury of leaves, which is replaced by winter toy-beautiful fruits.

Downy sumac or staghorn sumac (in Latin Rhus typhina) also called vinegar tree, a genus of trees and shrubs in the sumac family.

There are approximately 250 species of sumac known in nature, which grow in northeastern North America and southeastern Canada. Sumac is widespread in central Asia and in southern Europe.

In nature, fluffy sumac can grow up to 8-10 meters in height. IN middle lane In Russia, the height of the vinegar tree usually does not exceed 3 meters. Sumac grows in height only for the first few years, and then begins to grow only in width. Sometimes it grows so much that from a distance it can resemble a huge bush.

This tree is very decorative. It is rightfully recognized as one of the brightest and most elegant. The ceremonial, catchy color attracts glances of admiration.

The unusually beautiful feathery foliage and the bizarre pattern of the crown, spreading in breadth, do not leave anyone indifferent. And sumac does not lose its charm even in winter.

This extraordinary beauty of the staghorn sumac is created by its bizarre umbrella-shaped crown and densely located large feathery leaves. The foliage turns pink-red with the onset of autumn.

The young shoots, the stems of the inflorescences and the petioles of the leaves, which are covered with thick, velvety-red down, also look wonderful. But sumac looks no less impressive with the onset of autumn days. The real decoration is the carmine clusters of fruit, which bristle with bright red downy candles that look like Christmas decorations.

Sumac grows straight only for the first 3-4 years. Then it begins to slowly grow in width, becoming more and more spreading with age, with a luxurious, spreading tree crown.

Such a powerful, fast-growing crown requires significant space for this plant. But the highly decorative nature of the fanciful bending of the branches, which is especially beautiful in winter, deserves to give the tree a separate place in the parterre.

The leaves of Staghorn Sumac are quite large, with a velvety surface. They have a pointed shape, with jagged edges, and range from 6 to 11 centimeters in length. WITH inside the leaves are very original white in color, and on the branches they are collected together from 9 to 31 leaves.

At the beginning of autumn, this fabulously beautiful crown seems to be engulfed in a crimson fire, and the tree itself in the garden looks, perhaps, even brighter than the maple because of its red foliage.

Staghorn sumac is a bisexual plant. On female trees the flowers are pistillate, red-brown shade. Male staminate flowers have a more modest coloration, they are yellow-green.

In autumn, dense panicles produce fruits - small red drupes.
The vinegar tree begins to bloom in mid-summer. The flowers have a candle-shaped cone shape. Their color is a rich burgundy brown or light green. The flowers are quite large, up to 15 centimeters in height and about 5 centimeters in diameter.

With the fall of the leaves, these flowers, which were replaced by spectacular fruit in the form of pyramidal panicles, decorate the sumac like a Christmas tree garland. Birds do not peck these fruits, and therefore they will decorate the tree until spring.

With age, sumac grows more and more and becomes even more beautiful. Its branches are light brown in color, thick, and in some ways actually look like deer antlers.

Another name given to staghorn sumac is vinegar tree. This name is not at all accidental. Sumac leaves have a sour taste, which is why this plant is used in a number of countries as a seasoning for meat dishes instead of lemon or vinegar. The sour-tasting fruits of the vinegar tree are used to make various drinks.

IN eastern countries the plant is known primarily as a unique spice. The aroma of sumac is rather weak, but it has a beautiful rich ruby ​​color and a light astringent effect with a subtle sourness. Due to these properties, it is used in hot countries as a preservative to increase the shelf life of products.

As a seasoning, sumac can not only give a dish of rice, vegetables or meat an appetizing ruby ​​color, but also add piquant pungency and sourness. This natural ingredient in the production of sausages, minced meat and other meat products is simply unparalleled.

Also known medicinal properties sumac, it is used as an anti-inflammatory and antifungal agent. Sumac is a valuable source of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin C, has antioxidant and diuretic properties, helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and diabetes.

In addition, dye for silk is made from the roots and leaves of this plant, and wax is obtained from the fruits for making varnishes.

How to grow sumac

The vinegar tree is one of the most suitable for growing in poor soils, even in polluted city streets. The plant loves light and prefers open sunny places.

There is only one condition when choosing a place to plant staghorn sumac. The tree feels good only on sandy, sandy-rocky and sandy-clayey soils.

The plant loves dry and fairly loose soil and does not tolerate close proximity. groundwater or swampy areas. However, moist but well-drained soils are quite suitable for growing sumac.

There is a very big advantage when planting sumac: it can grow on slightly saline soils, where none of the classic woody ones can survive

Landing rules

Usually planted young plant who has not reached the age of three. It is best to do this with the onset of spring, because this period is considered the most optimal for rooting the plant.

Before planting, the soil must be properly prepared. For this purpose, a specially formulated mixture is made from leaf soil, coarse sand and compost. Component proportions: 1:2:1. The root collar of the plant must be buried no more than 5 centimeters into the ground.

If you plan to grow several sumac trees on the site at once, then it is necessary to maintain a distance of at least 4 meters between them when planting.

After planting, the tree must be watered abundantly for three days. In addition, you need to take care of mulching in advance trunk circle, because root system The plant is located quite close to the surface, and therefore there is a risk of damaging the roots when loosening the soil.

Sawdust or wood chips are used as mulch in a layer of about 5 centimeters.

Since the vinegar tree is a dioecious plant, it is necessary to plant both a female and a male tree.

Downy sumac, staghorn, video:

Organization of watering

There are no special rules for caring for staghorn sumac. It is necessary to water the plant moderately. Young seedlings need abundant watering only in very hot and dry weather.

It is characteristic of sumac that it is able to withstand short-term drought without additional moisture.

Top dressing

To increase flowering and, therefore, further fruiting of sumac, you need mineral supplements plants. This procedure should be carried out no more often than once a year, because an excess amount of minerals can greatly harm the plant.

It is also very important to choose correct area when planting sumac. The tree will prefer acidic or even slightly salty soils. Often special fertilizers are applied for this purpose. Although, by and large, this does not matter much for successful cultivation this amazing plant.

Other rules of care

One of the main requirements for growing sumac is good lighting. The tree loves sunny areas. In the absence of such an opportunity, if the area turns out to be a little shaded, then this will also not become an obstacle to growing a beautiful and healthy plant.

Staghorn sumac is susceptible to attack by insect pests and various diseases to the same extent as other trees in the garden. Therefore, if any symptoms of plant damage are detected, it is necessary to take urgent measures to combat the disease.

Replanting a vinegar tree can only be done at a young age and only when the need arises. In addition, it is necessary to take into account the time of year. The best replanting season is spring. If you carry out this procedure in the fall, then there is a risk of freezing the young shoots.

If suddenly the plant freezes, then there is some secret: the tree is able to recover from the buds located on the lower and middle branches.

For the winter, the tree trunk circle of the plant is mulched with a large amount of sawdust and wood chips.

Crown trimming

Pruning of staghorn sumac is usually carried out for decorative purposes, forming the crown at your own discretion. This allows you to get all kinds of original compositions in the garden; there are no restrictions here.

Ripe peeled sumac fruits ( 100 g) is combined with boiling water ( 300 ml). Leave this mixture at room temperature for twenty hours, filter and obtain an sour decoction similar to vinegar. Meat is marinated in it, used to make sauce and added to salads. The leaves and fruits of this plant are also used for tanning and dyeing leather.

Composition and use of sumac

Sumac fruits are rich in vitamin C and tannins. IN folk medicine sumac fruits and leaves are widely used as an antidiabetic, hemostatic, astringent and anti-inflammatory agent. To get rid of simple diarrhea and dysentery, patients are prescribed sumac three times a day. Aqueous infusions from sumac fruits are recommended for use by patients with hypoacid gastritis and stomach ulcers with low acidity. You need to take two spoons three times a day for a quarter of an hour before meals. The duration of the course is from twelve to fifteen days. Sumac decoctions are also useful for patients with diabetes and hypertension. They can drink the decoction up to five times a day, two spoons each

To increase appetite and as a vitamin supplement, you can drink tea with sumac. To do this, add one spoon of fruit to hot tea and let it brew for fifteen minutes. Drink after meals.

To prepare a decoction of sumac fruits, you need the fruits ( 4 spoons) pour boiling water ( 2 glasses). Boil within twenty minutes under the lid and at moderate heat. Then let the broth brew for an hour. Strain. This decoction can be used for oral administration and for gargling with sore throat, inflammation of the gums and sore teeth.

Sumy in medicine

Ancient medicine

IN ancient medicine sumac fruits were used to strengthen the intestines, increase appetite and fight skin diseases, wounds and boils.

Modern medicine

Modern medicine uses the leaves and fruits of this plant to obtain tannin. Sumac extract is believed to lower blood sugar levels and may successfully combat mild cases.

Sumac and contraindications

You need to take precautions when consuming sumac, because... it increases blood clotting and increases stomach acidity. People suffering from gastric ulcers with increased secretion, gastritis and patients with increased blood clotting should not consume sumac. Because it can cause exacerbation of chronic diseases and thrombosis.

One autumn, while on a business trip in one of the small Baltic towns, I saw for the first time a tree that was simply impossible to pass by without paying attention to it.

Another time, colleagues, showing photographs after a vacation on the Curonian Spit, enthusiastically showed a photo in which I again saw the tree I liked so much. After wandering around the Internet, following the description, I found its name. You are intrigued!
This is the staghorn sumac or vinegar tree. Why is it so remarkable?

Sumac tree (vinegar tree): description

Staghorn sumac (vinegar tree) belongs to the sumac family. Its homeland is North America, and it is most widespread in the United States of America and Canada.

Staghorn sumac looks somewhat like a palm tree. The same spreading crown with large dissected leaves. The brown-colored trunk is velvety, reminiscent of the feel of a deer's antlers.

For some reason I thought that this is where the name of the tree comes from. However, there is a version that the association with deer antlers is created by the spreading branches of sumac.

The peculiarity of sumac is its decorative effect throughout the year. But its peak, of course, is in the fall.

Amazing bright red color of the leaves and purple inflorescences, very similar in shape to the flowering chestnut. In winter, when all the colors fade and everything around becomes rather dull, sumac continues to delight us with its fruits, small red drupes collected in panicles. Those wishing to become the owner of this plant must take into account that the fruits are formed only in females.

Sumac can reach a height of up to ten meters, but in urban environments and country houses it rarely exceeds two meters.

Planting and care

Sumac propagates very easily - by root suckers. As a rule, the best time for this is the beginning of April, spring and October - autumn.

Despite its external exoticism, it is quite unpretentious plant. It is undemanding to soils (it survives even on rocky limestone!), drought-resistant, winter period does not require shelter.

The only thing you need to consider when planting it is lighting. The plant should be planted in well-lit areas. Since our pet is of southern origin, he needs as much sun as possible. It is advisable that the site be protected from winds and drafts.

When planting and further growing, you need to know about one important feature sumac. It grows unusually quickly. Moreover, the offspring appear at quite long distance from a parent. This point must be taken into account when planning other plantings nearby.

The undoubted advantage of sumac is its resistance to various diseases.

In my opinion, the most current question When caring for sumac, it's pruning. Opinions on this matter vary in the publications I have studied.

After observing the plants, I came to a clear conclusion - you can’t prune them!

It turns out that this plant is loved not only by me - I discovered its plantings in different parts my city. Where it is clear that the plant is left to its own devices and no pruning has been carried out, trees small sizes, the crown is spreading, in general, it looks impressive.

Where the plants were tended to, pruning stimulated the formation of additional shoots growing upward. At the same time, the crown turned out to be not so beautiful. By the way, in one case, someone overdid it - I had to observe a whitened stem and, as a result, a dried-out tree.

The only negative that can be noted about this plant is its fragility. Sumac pleases the eye with its outlandish beauty only until the age of twenty, after which it rapidly ages and dies. True, it can be easily restored from root suckers and shoots.

So, if you decide to plant a vinegar tree, then provide it with a sunny place and a minimum of care. Your success will be guaranteed.

Applications of vinegar tree

Today, the vinegar tree grows in almost every Kaliningrad yard

Sumac fruits have a very sour taste. Their decoction resembles vinegar. Hence, most likely, the second name of this plant - vinegar tree.

It is known that the indigenous population found practical use for the fruits and bark of the plant. The tree bark, containing tannins, was used in folk medicine as an astringent. In addition, this property of the bark made it indispensable for tanning leather. A dye was produced from the fruits, which was considered very stable and was used to dye fabrics red.

However, the main purpose of staghorn sumac, thanks to its high decorative qualities and unpretentiousness - this is the decoration of our gardens and parks. It is an indispensable plant in landscape design.

For the third year now, everyone’s favorite - staghorn sumac - has been growing under my window. Despite his youth, he had already managed to show his character: offspring grew up around him, and a queue of friends and neighbors formed. I flatter myself that in next year sumac will delight me with its flowering.

Syn.: leather sumac, dyeing sumac.

A shrub or small, few-branched tree 1-3 meters high with alternate rough-dropped odd-pinnate leaves and small flowers collected in panicle inflorescences. The plant has astringent, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing, anti-burn properties and is a valuable source of tannins.

The plant is poisonous!

Ask the experts a question

In medicine

Tanning sumac is a medicinal plant material and an industrial source for the production of pharmaceutical substances. From its young shoots, branches and leaves, collected before fruit formation, tannins are released, as well as gallic acid, medicinal and technical tannin.

Tannic sumac leaves are an industrial raw material for the production of tannin and preparations that contain it. Such drugs are used to treat inflammatory processes oral cavity and nasopharynx by rinsing with a 2% aqueous or water-glycerin solution, ulcers, wounds and burns by lubricating with 3-10% solutions and ointments. The use of tannin internally in the form of powders and tablets can be used as effective means for detoxification in case of poisoning with salts of heavy metals and alkaloids.

There is evidence that the seeds of the sumac plant contain a complex of substances that have a beneficial effect on the body's absorption of carbohydrates. Liquid extract and tincture of the fruit are recommended to be taken for mild diabetes.

A number of medicines are produced based on beneficial substances obtained from tannic sumac leaves:

1. Medical tannin (substance), powder. Astringent, anti-inflammatory agent.

   Used for inflammation of the oral cavity and gums, pharynx, nasopharynx (1-2% aqueous solution for rinsing 3-5 times a day); for cracks, ulcers, bedsores and burns (3%, 5%, 10% solutions or ointments); for poisoning (0.5% solution for gastric lavage).

2. Neo-Anuzol, anti-hemorrhoidal suppositories (component - tannin).

   Suppositories have astringent, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, drying properties, and also have a local analgesic effect.

3. Novikov liquid, for external use (component – ​​tannin).

   4% alcohol solution of tannin. An antiseptic used to treat minor wounds, cracks and other skin lesions. Forms an elastic film on the skin, preventing further infection and damage.

4. Tanalbin (substance), powder. Astringent.

   It is broken down only in the intestines, therefore it is used as an antidiarrheal agent for intestinal diseases, including dysenteric etiology. Used as an aid.

5. Tansal, tablets (component - tanalbin). Astringent, disinfectant.

   A combined drug that has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, detoxification and complexing effects. Has an effective effect on inflammatory diseases intestines, accompanied by digestive disorders, diarrhea.

6. Flacumin, tablets 0.02 g (sum of flavonol aglycones). Choleretic, antispasmodic.

   An effective remedy for the complex treatment of biliary dyskinesia. Relieves spasms of the biliary tract and promotes the outflow of bile from the gallbladder.

Contraindications and side effects

Tanning sumac – poisonous plant and has a number of contraindications, so it must be used very carefully. Contact with freshly picked sumac leaves may cause dermatitis, accompanied by a general body reaction in the form of fever and elevated temperature. During pregnancy and lactation, as well as in childhood The use of tannic sumac and preparations made from it is permissible strictly after consultation with a doctor.

In cooking

Dried and powdered or pickled sour unripe fruits of tannic sumac and their peel are used as a spicy seasoning for meat and fish dishes. Sumac seasoning has beneficial properties for the digestive system, therefore it is especially popular in the countries of Central Asia, the Middle East and Far East, as well as in other countries where, due to high average annual temperatures, cases of dysentery and eating disorders are common. You can also use sumac as a main active substance marinade for meat.

In other areas

In landscape design, sumac is used both for decorative purposes and for strengthening and afforestation. steep slopes with rocky soil. The anti-erosion properties of sumac are often used in landscape design.

The rich color of the crushed fruits is used for dyeing fabrics and leather goods. Sumac leaves are added to tobacco to give it a pleasant aroma.

Classification

Tanning sumac (lat. Rhus coriaria L.) - small tree or a shrub belonging to a species of the genus Sumac (lat. Rhus) of the family Sumacaceae, or Anacardiaceae (lat. Anacardiaceae).

Botanical description

Tannic sumac is a relatively low-branched and small tree or, more often, a shrub from 1 to 3 meters in height. The bark has an oblong-wrinkled appearance, on annual shoots it is smoother and gray-brown, on perennial branches it is wrinkled and brown.

The leaves are large, 15-18 cm in length, odd-pinnate, alternate, in the upper part they have a winged, rough-fluffy petiole. Each leaf contains from 9 to 17 leaflets. The leaves are rough-fluffy, sessile, oblong-ovate or lanceolate, coarsely crenate-serrate, 3-5 cm long and 2-3 cm wide, round or broadly wedge-shaped at the base, and pointed at the apex.

The flowers are greenish-white, collected in apical oblong-conical panicles, sometimes partially in small axillary panicles, almost sessile, unisexual, staminate and pistillate in different panicles. Staminate flowers are collected in longer and sparse panicles up to 25 cm long. They have 5 sepals, they are greenish, rounded-ovate, densely hairy and ciliated on the outside. They have 5 whitish, ovoid petals. Pistillate flowers are collected in smaller dense panicles, which are up to 15 cm in length; in detail they differ little from male flowers, except for the presence of a developed ovary and three stigmas with five rudimentary small stamens. Sumac blooms in June - July.

The fruits of tannic sumac are spherical or kidney-shaped small single-seeded drupes of a reddish-brown color due to dense glandular pubescence. Ripening occurs in September-October.

Spreading

Tanning sumac grows on dry limestone rocky slopes, in the lower and middle zones of mountains and on rocks. The plant is also found in sparse forests and forest edges.

The natural habitat of tannic sumac is Southern Europe, including France; North Africa(Canary Islands, Algeria, Madeira, Tenerife); Central and Western Asia (Western Pamir-Alai and Kopedag). Individual specimens are found in Crimea and the Caucasus.

Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

When harvesting sumac leaves, you need to carefully pick them to prevent them from breaking off and collect only whole leaves, which consist of 3-10 leaves. You need to carefully tear off the entire complex plate directly from the bush. The leaves are usually collected in the summer, from June to August.

Leaves should be dried in well-ventilated areas, for example, in attics, under sheds or in special dryers. Optimal temperature for drying 40-45°C. Carefully protect the leaves from dampness, it causes darkening and is lost due to this. presentation leaves, and tannin is washed out of them - a tannin, which determines the value of sumac.

Sometimes, for ease of harvesting, the entire leafy young shoots of the plant are cut off. In this case, after drying, it is necessary to thresh the shoots on a threshing floor, for example, on a tarpaulin, and remove the stems. Since tannin is mostly contained in the leaf parenchyma, the quality of the raw material can be significantly improved by winnowing and removing not only the stems, but also the leaf petioles. Procurement of raw materials in thickets should be carried out no more than once every 2 years. The shelf life of collected leaves and fruits is 2 years.

Chemical composition

Leaves, young branches and trunk bark are rich in tannins (13-33%), with the highest concentration during budding. The acidic peel of the fruit contains a large amount of malic and tartaric acids, extractives, essential oil(0.01%). Gallic acid predominates in the leaves; gallic acid methyl ester, myricitrin and other flavonoids, up to 15% tannin, and ascorbic acid are found.

Sumac leaves contain up to 25-33% tannins, of which 15% is tannin. In addition, they contain free gallic acid, essential oil, gallic acid tetrasaccharide and methyl ester, ascorbic acid, myricitrin and other flavonoids (including flavone glycosides). The composition of sumac tannin is dominated by a component in which out of 6 galloyl residues, 2 are digalloyl and 2 are monogalloyl.

Pharmacological properties

Useful properties Sumac tannins are provided largely by tannins obtained from the leaves of the plant. They have astringent, anti-inflammatory and antiseptic effects.

Tannins (in science, tannins) neutralize free radicals in the human body - fragments of molecules that have extremely high reaction force and destroy the most important structures of living cells, such as DNA. It is free radicals that trigger the aging process and other destructive processes in the body. The medicinal properties of sumac tannins are manifested due to the fact that tannins “quench” radionuclides and remove toxins and waste, helping to maintain youth and health. Tannins form insoluble compounds with heavy metals and their salts, as well as with protein molecules and alkaloids. This property allows tannins to be used for poisoning and intoxication.

Use in folk medicine

The leaves were used in folk medicine and folk veterinary medicine for poisoning with salts of heavy metals and alkaloids as a wound-healing, astringent, anti-burn and anti-inflammatory agent.

In folk medicine in Russia, an aqueous infusion of sumac leaves is used for diseases of the biliary tract and bleeding of various locations and etiologies. Tanning sumac is especially valued for the treatment of patients with enteritis (digestive disorder) as a fixative.

Infusions are also used to treat patients with gout and paralysis. The leaves are crushed and applied to areas of the skin affected by burns or weeping eczema. Water infusion is also used as an effective antiseptic for any diseases of the oral cavity and nasopharynx: laryngitis, pharyngitis, stomatitis, etc.

Historical background

The name “sumac” sounds like “rhus” in Greek and means tanning or dyeing tree - this is how the Greeks called tanning sumac (Rhus coriaria), the leaves and young branches of which they used for tanning leather; It is also possible that it comes from the Celtic “rhudd” - red, due to the color of the fruit.

The sumac spice has long been popular in the Far and Middle East, the Mediterranean and Central Asia as a spice, medicine, dye and tannin for leather. Even the ancient Romans used sumac fruits to prepare meat marinades.

Literature

1. Medicinal plants of the State Pharmacopoeia. Pharmacognosy (edited by I.A. Samylina, V.A. Severtsev). M., 2003 - p. 338.
2. L.G. Dudchenko, V.V. Krivenko, A.S. Kozyakov “Spicy-aromatic and spicy-flavoring plants”, Kyiv: Naukova Dumka Publishing House, 1989 - p.215.
3. Flora of the USSR / Volume editors B.K. Shishkin and E.G. Bobrov. - L.: Publishing House of the USSR Academy of Sciences, 1949 - T. 14. - 790 p.
4. G.N. Uzhegov " High blood pressure", M.: EKSMO Publishing House, 2015.
5. N.I. Maznev “Highly effective medicinal plants", M.: EKSMO Publishing House, 2012 – p. 186.