Sumac: A Spice with Many Health Benefits

Abstract

Rhus coriaria is a plant which has been known and used for a long time all throughout the world as a dyestuff and condiment, and in addition to these well-known uses, it has various biological activities and thus is being used traditionally in different countries due to various important primary and secondary metabolites that it contains. Besides its traditional uses, there are studies on the antioxidant, antinociceptive, antimicrobial, antifungal, antilipidemic, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, and anticancer activities of the plant; it is also known to have positive effects on the cardiovascular system and is used as a wound healer. Over time, an extensive amount of studies have been performed on the plant, and more studies are quite likely on the way in respect of a computational study performed on its effectiveness against COVID-19.

Keywords: Anacardiaceae, Antioxidant, Anticancer, Composition, Dye, Ethnobotany, Foodstuff, Rhus coriaria L., Sumac, Spice.