Family Name: Anacardiaceae

Introduction

Sweet sumach, like all members of the poison ivy family, have a stimulating effect on the body. The family includes mango, cashew, sumach, and more. Most members of this family awaken the immune system and more.

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Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

Notes from the Eclectic Physicians

1883: Scudder
The bark of the root of rhus aromatica – U.S.

Preparation: A tincture is prepared from the fresh bark of the root.

Dose: The dose will vary from five to twenty drops.

Therapeutic Action: Dr. McClanahan, of Missouri , introduced this remedy as a specific for incontinence of urine, but whilst it relieves in some cases it fails in others, as we would suspect. Of its uses the doctor writes:
The great superiority of this remedy in the treatment of diabetes and enuresis led to its use in other abnormal conditions of the urinary and genital organs, viz., haematuria, uterine haemorrhage, menorrhagia, leucorrhoea, and other excessive discharges, accompanied by a relaxed condition of the uterus. I have found the remedy to act well in haematuria arising from various causes; it will
be found a fine remedy in haemorrhage of the kidneys arising from a general diseased condition of the blood, accompanied by general debility, that form which sometimes precedes Bright’s disease; and it will, many times, relieve the same arising from falls, blows, calculus etc.

A friend of mine, Dr. Grey, has relieved two cases of chronic haematuria with the Rhus aromatica, which he could not manage with any other remedy. I was also highly delighted with its action in uterine haemorrhage; indeed I have given it a place in my obstetric case; I regard it inferior to no remedy. I use it in the same capacity as cinnamon, erigeron, ergot, etc., the dose varying from five to twenty drops of the tincture, according to the urgency of the case.

For the last three years I have used this remedy largely in minor disease of children; time and space will not admit of further examples, hence I will only describe the conditions to which it is applicable: stools profuse, skin cool and sallow, pulse small and feeble, loss of flesh, abdomen flabby, tongue pale, trembling and moist, trembling in lower limbs, general sense of lassitude and languor. Dose for infants, ten to twenty drops in a half glass of water, teaspoonful as often as necessary; for children, perhaps five drops of the first dilution.

1895: Watkins:
“Diarrhoea with painless large discharges, thin stools, abdomen soft and flabby, paleness, weakness and emaciation, nocturnal enuresis, relaxation of sphincter vesicae, enlarged prostate. One-half drachm to four ounces of water every four hours.”

1898: Felter and Lloyd
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage – This exceedingly valuable medicine was introduced by J. T. McClanahan, M. D., Booneville, Mo. (Ec. Med. Jour., 1879, p.317). At first, the use of this remedy was confined to the treatment of diabetes, and other excessive discharges from the kidneys and the bladder, as well as to cases of incipient albuminuria. More recently, in addition to the above-named diseases, it has been largely employed with advantage in urethral irritations, uterine leucorrhoea, cholera infantum, diarrhoea, dysentery, chronic laryngitis, chronic bronchitis, and especially in the enuresis of children and of aged persons.

While it is of undoubted value in many hemorrhagic states, particularly in chronic hematuria, a malarial form of which is quite common in the southern states, its chief value is in enuresis, with marked atony and chronic irritability of the urinary passages, whether in young or old subjects. The favourite remedies for “bed-wetting” are Rhus aromatica, belladonna, and thuja. Sometimes this affection yields to Rhus aromatica alone; sometimes a combination, as indicated, must be used. Fragrant sumac is indicated in all cases of over-activity of the kidneys, but is always contraindicated when there is active inflammation. A patient suffering, for several years, from catarrh of the bladder and hypertrophy of the prostate, with excruciating pain during micturition, necessitating the continued use of a soft catheter, the introduction of which invariably proved painful, was relieved by fragrant sumach. After exhausting the employment of all recognized remedies for the patient’s condition, together with the use of the water at the Hot Springs of Arkansas, etc., without the least benefit, as a dernier resort, the patient was placed upon teaspoonful doses, 3 or 4 times daily, of the fluid extract of Rhus aromatica. In 3 weeks’ time the symptoms were all removed, and the prostate so far reduced that the use of the soft catheter became unnecessary. The patient was 65 years old and subsequently voided urine as freely and as painlessly as a boy of 18 years (J. King).

Inflammatory symptoms being absent, it may be employed in passive uterine haemorrhage, haemorrhage of the bowels, as in chronic bloody-flux (not in acute dysentery), chronic painful…..cal catarrh, and in phthisis, to control haemorrhage when small in amount, and to restrain the accompanying diarrhoea and night-sweats. In bronchitis, with profuse, blood-streaked expectoration, it may be given with confidence. A good form of administration is as follows: R Specific fragrant sumach, 3ss; glycerine, 3iijss. Mix. Sig. Dose, from 1/2 to 1 teaspoonful every 3 or 4 hours. This remedy is reputed useful in purpura hemorrhagic. The forms of administration now preferred are specific fragrant sumach and the fluid extract, of which the dose of either varies from 5 to 60 minims, repeated every 3 or 4 hours. It may be taken in water, in glycerine and water, and in solution of pure gelatine, or in syrup, when these vehicles are not contraindicated.

1898: Webster
This remedy acts on the entire length of the urinary apparatus. It acts promptly in many cases of diabetes insipidus, and numerous cases of diabetes mellitus have been reported cured with it.

In nocturnal enuresis it is one of the best remedies we posses, and will seldom fail to cure unless the case be thoroughly intractable. It is valuable in the incontinence of adults, as well as of children. The dribbling of old men attending relaxation of the sphincter vesicae and prostatic difficulties will suggest it. In haemorrhages, both from the bladder and uterus, it is a prompt and reliable remedy.

I have employed it with the best of satisfaction in vesical irritation in women suffering from sexual troubles, as well as in other cases not so complicated. It is the most trustworthy remedy of this kind we posses. Form for administration: the specific medicine. Dose: from one to ten drops.

1901: Locke
Sweet sumach is diuretic, stimulant, and astringent. In diabetes it is one of the very best single remedies; use it in this disease when the urine is pale coloured, of high specific gravity and the patient is debilitated, with chills, thirst and constipation, and sugar in the urine. It is contra-indicated by active inflammation.

The dose will vary with each patient, ranging from one to thirty drops, given in water every three hours. Put your patient in the most favourable circumstances and examine the urine every third day. It is a good agent in chronic diabetes when no sugar is present, the amount of urine being large and associated with great thirst. In such cases it is very efficient as it is also in albuminuria. It is indicated in all cases of over activity of the urinary passages, inflammation being absent. Use it in chronic catarrh of the bladder and chronic cystitis. Fragrant sumach is stimulant and astringent, hence it is a good drug in haemorrhage from the lungs, uterus, or urinary organs. It is very efficient in haemorrhage from the kidneys and bladder. Use it in chronic haemorrhage from the uterus unless the flow is great, in which case it is inferior to other agents.

By restraining the action of the bowels and checking secretion it is useful in chronic diarrhoea and chronic dysentery, with passage of blood. It must not be used in acute cases. Give ten drops of specific rhus aromatica on sugar four times a day.

In phthisis it controls haemorrhage, checks diarrhoea, and lessens night sweats. In chronic bronchitis, with profuse bloody discharge, it is a good remedy. For its influence on the respiratory organs give it as follows.

Rhus aromatica

Glycerine

Dose from one half to one teaspoon every three hours.

The dose of rhus aromatica ranges from two to thirty drops. Remember that it is contraindicated in inflammations, and do not use it in water, but use glycerine or mucilage.

1905: Petersen – RHUS AROMATICA
Syn – Fragrant Sumach; Sweet Sumach

P. E. – Bark of root

N. O. – Anacardiaceae

N. H. – United States

Properties: Astringent, stimulant, diuretic, tonic and astringent to non striated muscular fibres.

Use: Our best remedy in diabetes insipidus, where it should be taken in 5 drops doses and gradually increased to 10 to 15 drops at a dose. To be taken about 4 times a day. When the largest dose admissible has been reached this should be continued until the desired result is obtained when the dose should be gradually reduced again. Rhus aromatica is also of value in diabetes mellitus. In urinary incontinence in children and the aged it often will produce satisfactory results. Of value in mild cases of haematuria. It tones up the muscular structure of the urinary apparatus and is indicated in over-activity of the urinary apparatus, in absence of inflammation. In conditions where most indicated we find a debilitated condition, languor, lassitude, loss of flesh, stool profuse; a weak, in fat a debilitated condition. In passive haemorrhage of the bowels it may be used, haemorrhage of bronchitis is benefited by its use. Its main use however is in diabetes and enuresis. Best to dispense in glycerine.

1905: Peterson
Our best remedy in diabetes insipidus, where it should be taken in five drop doses and gradually increased to ten to fifteen drops at a dose. To be taken about four times a day. When the largest dose admissible has been reached this should be continued until the desired result is obtained when the dose should be gradually reduced again. Rhus aromatica is also of value in diabetes mellitus. In urinary incontinence in children and of the aged it often will produce satisfactory results. Of value in mild cases of haematuria. It tones up the muscular structure of the urinary apparatus and is indicated in over activity of the urinary apparatus, in the absence of inflammation. In conditions where most indicated we find a debilitated condition, languor, lassitude, loss of flesh, stool profuse, a weak, in fact a debilitated condition. In passive haemorrhage of the bowels it may be used, haemorrhage bronchitis is benefited but its use. Its main use however is in diabetes and enuresis. Best to dispense in glycerine.

Contra-indicated in active inflammation. Use in glycerine and not in water.

1906: Ellingwood
The direct influence of this agent is exerted in certain cases of polyuria. It is said to be specific also to nocturnal enuresis in children, and yet our knowledge is not sufficient o define the exact cases, consequently it s use is more or less empirical. Benefit is claimed for its use in full doses in all cases where there is much urine, without sugar.

This is the case in interstitial nephritis as well as in simple diabetes insipidus. It is not contra-indicated in diabetes mellitus, but is only occasionally of service. Active astringent properties claimed for it, and yet in this exercise it is different from ordinary astringents.

In many cases of urinary incontinence both in children and in the aged, it will produce satisfactory cures. It apparently acts as a tonic and sedative to the muscular structures of the urinary apparatus, as old people who suffer form a general debilitated condition and are troubled with dribbling, have the power to control the urine restored. It should be used freely in such cases, and its influence when specifically deigned will give it an important place in the therapeutics of enuresis.

It has an influence not to be overlooked in passive haemorrhage form the urinary apparatus, haematuria, controlling most satisfactorily many cases. It is useful in passive uterine haemorrhage and in pulmonary and bronchial haemorrhage. If satisfactory results are not obtained from small doses it may be pushed until sixty drops are given to an adult.

1911: Fyfe
Diabetes, when the urine is pale colored o high specific gravity, with sugar in it, and the patient debilitated, diarrhoea, with profuse and painful discharges, mucous and hemorrhagic, from the mucous surfaces of the kidneys, bladder, gastrointestinal canal, uterus, lungs, and bronchi, incipient albuminuria, hypertrophy of the prostate, with great pain during micturition, enuresis of children and aged persons, chills, thirst, and constipation, with sugar in the urine, chronic diabetes, when no sugar is found in the urine and a large quantity of urine is passed, and there is great thirst, chronic catarrh of the bladder and chronic cystitis, chronic diarrhoea and dysentery.

This is an efficient remedy in all cases of excessive activity of the urinary organs when there is no inflammation. It should not be used when there is active inflammation, and it is contra-indicated in acute cases. In phthisis it exerts a favourable influence over the haemorrhage, diarrhoea, and night sweets. Glycerine, mucilage and sugar constitute good vehicles in which to exhibit the agent. Water should not be used. Rhus aromatica is stimulant, diuretic, and astringent.