Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Rhus coriaria (commonly known as sumac) has a history of traditional use in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisine and folk medicine, but in recent years, its potential as an alternative or adjunct to antibiotics has drawn interest due to its demonstrated antimicrobial properties in laboratory studies. Several in vitro studies have shown that extracts of Rhus coriaria possess antibacterial activity against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These effects are thought to be due to the presence of phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, which may act by disrupting microbial cell walls or inhibiting bacterial enzymes.

However, the current scientific evidence is limited primarily to laboratory studies and a few animal models. There are no robust clinical trials in humans demonstrating that Rhus coriaria can effectively replace or significantly augment antibiotics in treating infections. The evidence, while promising, does not yet support its use as a standard alternative to antibiotics in clinical practice. Thus, the evidence rating is low (2/5) due to the lack of high-quality human data, but the use is justified by preliminary scientific investigation into its antimicrobial effects.

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