Smooth Sumac (Edible)
Rhus glabra
The red berries make a tart, vitamin-C 'sumac-ade' used traditionally for sore throats.
Traditional use (indigenous-americas): The red berries make a tart, vitamin-C 'sumac-ade' used traditionally for sore throats.
The red berries make a tart, vitamin-C 'sumac-ade' used traditionally for sore throats.
Active constituents are under study; evidence ranges from traditional use to preliminary human trials.
- The red berries make a tart, vitamin-C 'sumac-ade' used traditionally for sore throats.
Evidence strength: traditional use.
- See the evidence level above
- Use only the red, upward-clustered edible sumac — never white-berried poison sumac.
- Pregnant/breastfeeding people without medical advice
Use only the red, upward-clustered edible sumac — never white-berried poison sumac.
May interact with prescription medications — review with a clinician if you take any.
Use caution in pregnancy, breastfeeding, for children, and with chronic disease unless cleared by a clinician.
Choose reputable, tested suppliers; correct identification is essential for wild-harvested plants.