Sumac (Culinary) (Rhus coriaria): Uses, Evidence and Safety
Culinary sumac (Rhus coriaria) is a tangy spice, not poison sumac. Trials and meta-analyses on blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol are mixed, and safety data are limited.
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First, a clarification: the sumac spice comes from Rhus coriaria L., family Anacardiaceae. [1] "Poison sumac" is a different species, Toxicodendron vernix (L.) Kuntze, also in the Anacardiaceae. [2] MedlinePlus describes poison ivy, oak and sumac as plants whose oily sap causes a blistering rash in most people. [3] This page does not help identify plants. Do not gather wild "sumac" to eat or to use as medicine. If you get a rash, ask a pharmacist, and see a doctor for a severe one. [3] For any plant that may have been eaten, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US) and see plant and mushroom poisoning.
Overview
Culinary sumac is a spice, condiment and flavoring agent, especially in the Mediterranean region. [4] Reviews describe it as rich in flavonoids, tannins, polyphenols and organic acids. [4] In research it is usually given as powder or supplement, so results may not match a pinch on food. Food use: see functional foods and culinary amounts vs supplement amounts.Traditional use (not proof of benefit)
A 2021 review reports that sumac has been used in traditional medicine for hemorrhoids, wound healing, diarrhea, ulcer and eye inflammation. [4] The review does not tie these uses to specific regions or periods in the abstract we read. We found no regulator monograph in the sources we read.What research shows
Trials are short (4 to 12 weeks in one recent meta-analysis) and the sumac forms vary. [5]| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Form and population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar | A 2021 meta-analysis of 6 trials (278 people) found no significant effects on any glycemic measure with sumac powder. [6] A 2024 meta-analysis of 15 trials found lower fasting glucose, insulin and HbA1c. [7] A 2026 analysis of 15 trials (917 people) also reported glycemic improvements. [5] | Mixed | Sumac powder or supplements, adults |
| Blood pressure | The 2024 meta-analysis found lower diastolic blood pressure. [7] | Promising but limited | Sumac consumption, adults |
| Cholesterol and blood fats | A 2018 meta-analysis could not reach a definite conclusion because of too few trials. [8] The 2026 analysis reported improved lipid profile. [5] | Mixed | Sumac supplementation, adults |
| Inflammation markers | The 2026 analysis found no significant effect on inflammatory parameters. [5] | No good evidence of benefit (in pooled trials) | Sumac supplementation, adults |
| Hemorrhoids, wounds, diarrhea, ulcers | Proper evidence not found in the sources we read (we searched PubMed for sumac reviews and trials). | Traditional use only | n/a |
These are biomarker changes (lab and blood pressure numbers), not proof of fewer heart attacks or diabetes complications. See herbs for blood sugar and diabetes and herbs for blood pressure and cholesterol.
Forms and why the form matters
Trials in the meta-analyses tested sumac powder or supplements. [6][5] The amounts and products in these trials vary, so a result cannot be carried over to sumac used as seasoning.Safety
- Overall. A review states toxicity studies show sumac is very safe to consume by humans. [4] That is the authors' summary; the abstract does not describe pregnancy, children, or medicines.
- Medicines. No interaction study was found. Because trials report lower blood sugar and diastolic pressure, ask a pharmacist if you take diabetes or blood pressure medicines (this is a theoretical concern). See supplements and diabetes medicines.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding, children, liver and kidney, surgery. Not described in the sources we read. See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Allergy. Culinary and poison sumac belong to the same plant family. [1][2] Whether eating culinary sumac causes the same reactions is not described in the sources we read.
Quality
Not described in the sources we read. See quality testing and certifications.Frequently asked questions
Is culinary sumac the same as poison sumac?
No. Culinary sumac is Rhus coriaria; poison sumac is Toxicodendron vernix. [1][2] Do not rely on this page, or on a photo, to identify a plant.
Does sumac lower blood sugar?
Evidence is mixed: one meta-analysis found no significant effect, while later ones reported improvements. [6][7][5]
Does sumac lower cholesterol?
A 2018 meta-analysis could not conclude, and a 2026 one reported improved lipids. [8][5]
Is sumac safe every day?
A review calls it very safe in toxicity studies, but long-term and special-population safety are not described in the sources we read. [4]
Does sumac interact with medicines?
No interaction study was found. Ask a pharmacist if you use diabetes or blood pressure medicines.
References
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Rhus coriaria L.. Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, Toxicodendron vernix (L.) Kuntze. Read 2026-10-23.
- MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine), Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac. Read 2026-10-23.
- Alsamri et al., Antioxidants 2021, pharmacological and antioxidant activities of Rhus coriaria. PubMed 33430013. Read 2026-10-23.
- Jafari et al., Endocrinol Diabetes Metab 2026, sumac and human metabolic health: systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed 41329614. Read 2026-10-23.
- Mohit et al., Complement Ther Med 2021, sumac and glycemic indices: systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed 34365008. Read 2026-10-23.
- Taheri et al., Diabetes Metab Syndr 2024, sumac, blood pressure, glycemic indices and body composition: meta-analysis. PubMed 39316955. Read 2026-10-23.
- Akbari-Fakhrabadi et al., Complement Ther Med 2018, sumac and blood lipids: systematic review and meta-analysis. PubMed 30219474. Read 2026-10-23.