Evidence supporting the use of: Rhus glabra
For the health condition: Abrasions
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Rhus glabra (smooth sumac) has a longstanding history of use in traditional Native American medicine for treating minor skin injuries, including abrasions. Ethnobotanical records document that several indigenous groups used poultices or washes made from the bark or leaves of Rhus glabra to cleanse wounds, reduce inflammation, and promote healing of superficial abrasions. These traditional applications are primarily based on the plant’s astringent properties, attributed to its relatively high content of tannins. Astringents can help contract tissue, reduce bleeding, and protect against infection in minor wounds.
However, there is minimal direct scientific research specifically evaluating the efficacy of Rhus glabra preparations for treating abrasions in humans. Some in vitro and animal studies have reported that extracts of Rhus species possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, which could theoretically benefit wound healing, but these findings are not confirmed in clinical trials for abrasions specifically. The evidence supporting its use, therefore, remains rooted in traditional practices rather than scientific validation. As such, while Rhus glabra is traditionally used for abrasions, robust clinical evidence is lacking, and its use should be considered with that context in mind.
Other ingredients used for Abrasions
AbrusAbuta
Acacia
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Agave
Agrimony
Ajuga
Alchemilla
Alchornea
Alkanet
Alkanna
Allantoin
Aloe vera
Alstonia scholaris
Ampelopsis
anamu
Antirrhinum majus
Aquilegia formosa
arnica
ash
asiaticoside
assam indigo
avens
bai ji
balsam
banyan
Barleria
bee hive
bee products
bee propolis
benzoin
bindweed
blackbrush
blackthorn
Bletilla
bloodroot
Boerhavia diffusa
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boxthorne
Brazilian peppertree
Butea monosperma
Calendula
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capillary artemisia
carrapichinho
Casearia sylvestris
castile soap
cattail
Cedrus libani
celandine
Centella asiatica
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Centipeda
chamomile
chickweed
cinquefoil
Clerodendrum indicum
cocklebur
cocoa butter
colloidal silver
comfrey
cornflower
cowherb
Cymbidium goeringii
Cynanchum
Cynodon dactylon
Davilla rugosa
Didymocarpus
dragon\'s blood
elephant vine
elephant\'s head
English elm
Epidermal Growth Factor
Erigeron
Erodium cicutarium
Euphorbia
fibrinase
fibroblast growth factor
ficin
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Flueggea suffruticosa
Fomes fomentarius
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heal-all
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lavender
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licorice root
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little ironweed
lodhtree
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marigold
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melaleuca alternifolia
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paederia foetida
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purified silver
purple Tephrosia
red alder
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resin
Rhus glabra
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sea salt
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shen-chu
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siler root
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slippery elm bark
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turmeric
vitamin C
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xanthium (cockleburs)
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Zinc