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Herbal Glossary | Medicinal Glossary | Herbal Preparations | Ayervedic Formulas | Chinese Formulas Sweet GumContents:Common Names | Parts Usually Used | Plant(s) & Culture | Where Found | Medicinal Properties
Scientific Names
Common Names
Parts Usually UsedBalsam, bark Description of Plant(s) and CultureSweet gum is a deciduous, forest-dwelling tree, growing as high as 150 feet, the tree is covered with rough, gray bark; but the branchlets are reddish-brown and often have corky ridges. When cut, it exudes a sticky, resinous gum or balsam. Its alternate, serrate, palmately lobed (star-shaped with 5-7 toothed lobes) leaves are dark green and shiny above and pale green underneath; in fall they turn a deep crimson. Leaves have an aromatic pine-like scent when crushed. The petalless flowers occur in globular heads, the male heads clustered in terminal racemes and the female growing individually on long peduncles. The fruit consists of woody capsules growing in round, spiny heads an inch or more across which stay on the tree through the winter. They are spiky brown hanging balls. Where FoundNative to the eastern and southern areas of the United States. Found in mixed woods, in moist soils of streams and riverbanks; planted in cities in the east, in the Pacific states, British Columbia, Central America, Mexico. Native from southern Connecticut south to Florida and west to Texas. Medicinal PropertiesAntiseptic, astringent, expectorant Legends, Myths and StoriesThe “gum” is produced in pockets in the bark. Children sometimes chew the gum in lieu of commercial chewing gum. UsesThe balsam is used effectively externally for wounds and for skin problems. For external use it is usually made into an ointment with lard or oil. Native Americans used a decoction of leaves or roots as a wash to treat injuries. For coughs and respiratory congestion due to colds, the gum can be taken for expectoration or for sore throat. The bark has been used to relieve diarrhea and dysentery. Used to treat ringworm. Formulas or DosagesDecoction: boil 1 tsp. bark or balsam in 1 cup water. Take 1 cup a day, a mouthful at a time. Tincture: a dose is from 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. How SoldIngredient in “compound tincture of benzoin” available at pharmacies.
Bibliography
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Copalm
The Herb Book
, by John Lust, Bantam Books, 666 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY. copyright 1974.
, by Clarence Meyer, Meyerbooks, publisher, PO Box 427, Glenwood, Illinois 60425, 1973Copyright © 1996-2010 Lynn DeVries, all rights reserved.