Medicinal Uses

There are numerous medicinal uses of the Rhus trilobata documented today. These uses vary with the part of the plant used, because different parts of the plant contain different chemicals. Several Native American tribes use only specific parts of the sumac. Some of the known uses of the plant are as follows: (4)

Plant Organ	Medicinal Use
Bark	Cold remedy, in which the bark chewed and the juice is swallowed Oral aid, in which the bark is chewed Gynecological aid, in which the bark is boiled and the concoction is used as a douche after childbirth
Fruit	Dermatological aid used to prevent hair loss Astringent The treatment of smallpox Toothache remedy in which the fruit is chewed Veterinary aid Gastrointestinal Aid, in which the fruit is consumed
Leaves	Gastrointestinal Aid, in which the leaves are boiled Contraception aid, in which the leaves are boiled to cause impotency Diuretic aid, in which the leaves are boiled
Roots	Dematological aid, in which the root is used as a deodorant Tuberculosis Aid, in which the roots are consumed