Can also let it set in log form for several years and use it for overnight logs without bothering to split it. Sweetgum trees are important resources for medicinal and other beneficial. Common names sweetgum is the preferred common name, but the species is also called gum, redgum, starleaf gum and bilsted. The hardened gum, or rosin from the tree was used as chewing gum. The sweet gum tree has long been used for medicinal purposes and as a source of hardwood for furniture.
Sweet gum is one of the main valuable forest trees in the southeastern united. Headache you take sweet gum leaves and put them in a vase. Harvesting chewing gum from the sweetgum bushcraft usa. Sweetgum an american wood forest products laboratory. Names of peach in various languages of the world are also given.
Herbal healing traditions of south louisiana methods and sources c. They are decorative deciduous trees that are used in the wood industry and for ornamental purposes. The aromatic resin storax is obtained from the trunk of this tree. There, they sought out a tree with unusual starshaped leaves and bark resembling alligator skin. Interestingly, sweet gum tea was an herbal treatment for the flu and the cherokee made a tea out of the bark.
Their fall color lasts much longer than most other trees. The sweet gum tree, is as its title suggests, such a sweet love story im glad i took the time to read it. The name gum tree originated from the sap excreted from the bark that looks gum like known. This deciduous tree is recognized by the quarter sized, spiny, woody seedpods it produces. Sweet gum is a deciduous, forestdwelling tree, growing as high as 150 feet, the tree is covered with rough, gray bark. Related commercial species sweetgum is inventoried in the forest as a single species. Sweet gum sap has caught the attention of medical researchers, and we know that much of its folkloric uses are now backed with scientific reasoning. Sweet gum is a deciduous, forestdwelling tree, growing as high as 150 feet. The american sweetgum is native to north america, and its genus has only 5. May 19, 2011 the sweet gum tree has long been used for medicinal purposes and as a source of hardwood for furniture.
The sweet gum tree was to pioneer youth the rustic equivalent of a gum ball machine. Originally, youd only be able to find this species in southeastern coastal states, but it has made a steady journey westward throughout the mid to late 20 th century. Uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients in peach. Native americans reportedly made a preparation of the balsam to treat fevers and wounds. The sweet gum tree is one which has a long history and many uses.
In the old days, the balsamic resin was called american styrax, or storax, and used as a natural chewing gum. Its seeds are eaten by birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. Twigs often bear corky ridges, adding to the trees attractive. Liquidambar styraciflua herb uses, benefits, cures, side. The sweet gum tree is a hardy and beautiful specimen ranging from the midwestern to southeastern united states.
Watson2 introduction sweetgum grows in a narrow pyramid to a height. This is used for both sealing unwanted holescracks and is also thought to be a. Sweet gum tree leaves have five to seven pointed lobes, and their shape will remind you of a star. Few trees are killed by this insect, but growth is reduced. Its latin name is liquidambar styraciflua and it is a deciduous shade tree predominantly found along the east coast of the us. Sweet gum, american sweet gum, red gum, bilsted, starleaved gum, alligatortree uses ethnobotanic.
The benefits of utilizing sweet gum balls feb 20, 2018 posted by. Alix frenchs strong distinctive narrative voice carried me along into a world of gentile southern living as different from the urban sprawl of london as mars is to the moon. In addition to the potential medicinal uses of sweetgum extracts, the extracts of the. The american sweet gum tree is also called liquidambar. Sweetgum liquidambar styraciflua is a deciduous tree that grows in the acidic soil of swamps and stream banks in its natural habitat. Within both common and botanical names of the sweetgum liquidambar styraciflua, we can gather that the tree offers a liquid, resinous, sweet tasting gum. Sweetgum is a good choice as a windbreak tree because of its fast growth and tolerance of a wide variety of sites. It forms in cavities of the bark and also exudes naturally. How liquidambar styraciflua is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. The sweet gum tree was to pioneer youth the rustic equivalent of a gumball machine. Find out about the many uses of the sweet gum tree.
Sweet gum tree balls health benefits breast swelling and pain is one of common postpartum symptoms, which often appear within 3 to 7 days after delivery. American sweetgum liquidambar styraciflua, also known as american storax, hazel pine, bilsted, redgum, satinwalnut, starleaved gum, alligatorwood, or simply sweetgum, is a deciduous tree in the genus liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern north america and tropical montane regions of mexico and central america. Liquidambar styraciflua sweetgum environmental horticulture. Liquidambar styraciflua sweet gum fact sheet author. Native americans used a decoction of leaves or roots as a wash to treat injuries. Leaves on a mature eucalyptus plant are commonly lanceolate, petiolate, apparently alternate and waxy or glossy green. Sweet gum seeds are eaten by many species of birds, including goldfinch, purple finch, sparrows, mourning doves, wild turkey, northern bobwhite, and wood duck, as well as by squirrels and chipmunks. Uses, side effects, interactions, dosage, and warning. Native tribes used it as chewing gum, and its wood is used in modern times for furniture. There are four species of sweetgum including liquidambar orientalis l. The lumbee indians used the buds, tops and rosin of sweet gum to treat diarrhea or dysentary. See more ideas about seed pods, sweet gum and tree seeds.
Here is a summary of the section on sweet gum from the book link i listed above. Recommended dosage is from 3 to 10 grams in decoction. It is a popular street tree and is prized for its flashy display of fall foliage. The bark has astringent properties and addresses dysentery and diarrhea. On this early spring day, the tree is still a skeleton, although leaf buds are just beginning to emerge and dozens of sweet gum balls dangle from its naked branches like. Plain red gum plain sawn red gum, figured wood quartered red gum ribbon stripe. The sweetgum tree was used by the cherokee, choctaw, koasati, rappahannock and other native american tribes for various purposes. How peach is effective for various diseases is listed in repertory format. Sweetgum balls are anything but sweet but the prickly fruit of sweetgum trees. Sweet gum tree balls lu lu tong chinese herbs healing. In the south some pioneers chewed sweet gum leaves to cure diarrhea. The sweet gum tree a forty foot tall sweet gum tree rises from the northeast corner of my back yard.
These can be messy and unattractive as they fall on the streets and sidewalks arou. Red gum lumber is considered a specialty product and not quoted in the market reports. There are a number of different nhla grade designation for red gum. An amazingly iconic and dominate specimen of australian flora is the eucalyptus tree or more commonly known as the gum tree. Sweet gum bark and leaves have some but the highest concentration is in the infertile seeds. Some communities have large numbers of sweetgum planted as street trees. As a medicine, acacia is taken by mouth for high cholesterol, diabetes. Episode 192 uses and benefits of sweet gum trees the. An ancient source of beneficial compounds with modern. For those of us who are beekeepers, the sweetgum provides a plentiful amount of resin for the bees to use as propolis in their hives. The gum has long been harvested and used for chewing gum, but it is also known to have antiinflammatory properties. One of the trees most striking attributes its spiky balls gives ahint as to its magical properties. Finally figured out the best way to split sweetgum.
Simply incorporate fresh sweet gum wood chips into your favorite potpourri mix. There are more than 300 species of eucalyptus, and eucalyptus globulus is one of the most wellknown species. May 31, 2018 other websites i visited, stated in a nutshell that sweet gum tree medicinal uses when made into a balsam or salve, it is used for skin conditions, hemorrhoids, ringworm scabies and frostbite. The sticky or gummy sap of sweet gums serves a purpose for the tree. Sweet gum, american sweet gum, red gum, bilsted, starleaved gum, alligator tree uses ethnobotanic. Medicinal benefits of sweetgum health benefits times. Some red gum lumber is still produced and even sold on the export market. Its common names are blue gum, southern blue gum, tasmanian blue gum, eurabbie, blue. Sweet gum definition of sweet gum by merriamwebster. In the old days, youngsters throughout the rural south went to the woods, not the grocery store, for their chewing gum. This large, deciduous tree is often mistaken for maple as the foliage is similar in appearance with 57 pointed, palmate lobes. Sweetgum probably has virtues similar to the concrete juice of styrax officinale, which see. Much of the root system is shallow particularly in its native, moist habitat, but there are deep vertical roots directly beneath the trunk in welldrained and.
Peach herb uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients. In the lumber trade, however, sweetgum heartwood is commonly called redgum, whereas sapwood is referred to as sapgum or simply gum, in common with the tupelos nyssa aquatica, n. Most people want to know how to get rid of the tree, keep it from fruiting, or if you can compost sweetgum balls. It can also be found in some western states and central. In addition to the potential medicinal uses of sweetgum extracts, the. Liquidambar, commonly called sweetgum star gum in the uk, gum, redgum, satinwalnut, or american storax, is the only genus in the flowering plant family altingiaceae and has 15 species. Indians of alta verapaz have been known to bathe in leaf extractions of the tree as well to treat gonorrhea when ingested. The first leaves are broad, without stalks, of a shining whitishgreen and are opposite and horizontal, but after four or five years these are succeeded by others of a more ensiform or swordshaped form, 6 to 12 inches long, bluishgreen in hue, which are alternate and. With respect to its characteristic features, it is known by different names, like redgum, american sweetgum, alligator wood, starleaved gum, liquid amber or simply, gumtree. The name liquidambar styraciflua means liquid amber and styraciflua is in reference to styrax balsam, which is a kind of resin produced by the sweetgum that can be chewed for medicinal and recreational purposes. Sweet gum, a tree of the witch hazel family hamamelidaceae, native of the eastern united states, also mexico and. Shes honest and strong, a firebrand who will punch a boy out.
It is usually caused by the failure of timely and effective breastfeeding or sucking because of poor suck in preterm infants, neonatal disease treatment, wound pain after cesarean, fatigue. Fact sheet st358 november 1993 liquidambar styraciflua figure 1. Sweetgum grows in a narrow pyramid to a height of 75 feet. Basic sweet gum tree balls uses and indications include arthralgia due to wind and dampness, numbness of limb, spasm in hand and feet, abdominal pain, amenorrhea, clogged milk ducts, edema, puffiness, and eczema. Sweetgum salves have a minor antiseptic value, but work well as an antiinflammatory. Be careful when locating sweetgum as a street tree since its large, aggressive roots may lift curbs and sidewalks. List of various diseases cured by liquidambar styraciflua. The name eucalyptus, being derived from greek eu well kaluptos covered, a clear reference to its unique flowers.
Sweetgum trees are large, deciduous trees found in asia and north america. Many of the medicinal properties of sweetgum are derived from the resinous sap that exudes. Liquidambar is a genus of trees, commonly called sweetgum, which derives its name from the brown sap produced by these trees which, if left to harden, can be made into chewing gum. In the appalachians, people dipped the twigs in whiskey and nibbled them to clean their teeth. Sweetgum is primarily used for lumber, veneer, plywood, slack cooperage, railroad ties, fuel. Harvesting chewing gum from the sweetgum bushcraft usa forums. During the 16 th century in eastern mexican cloud forests, temperate forests with high moisture from clouds and fog, the sweet gum was used in medicines, smoked with tobacco, and burned as. Nov 22, 2019 a sweet gum is a deciduous tree in the witch hazel family that ranges in height from 60 to 100 feet and has a narrow oval canopy. In the past many people planted these trees for their beauty.
Overview information acacia is the gum that is exuded from the acacia tree. It can also be found in some western states and central america. The tree has a mature height of about 80 feet with distinct, five to sevenlobed, starshaped leaves. Sweet gum, also spelled as sweetgum, is a highly popular landscaping tree in north america. The amber colored gum, or balsam, gives the sweet gum tree its flavor and its common name. The star anise pod is about 7% shikimic acid, the pine needles 3% and the sweet gum 1. My aunt used the sweet gum branch for a toothbrush. The darkgreen, shiny foliage has lighter undersides. Sweet gum is one of the main valuable forest trees in the. Sweetgum was mentioned in writing by historians traveling with cortes who witnessed the aztecs using sweetgum to flavor the tobacco they smoked. Gum tree uses and meaning thrive on news spiritual magazine. Sweetgum trees are important resources for medicinal and other. Names of liquidambar styraciflua in various languages of the world are also given.
The american sweetgum is native to north america, and its genus has only 5 other species included. The most dangerous tree in the suburbs american orchard. Uses, benefits, cures, side effects, nutrients in liquidambar styraciflua. The deeply cut grey or brownishgrey bark forms winged projections on the twigs. During the 16 th century in eastern mexican cloud forests, temperate forests with high moisture from clouds and fog, the sweet gum was used in medicines, smoked with tobacco, and burned as incense. Other websites i visited, stated in a nutshell that sweet gum tree medicinal uses when made into a balsam or salve, it is used for skin conditions, hemorrhoids, ringworm scabies and frostbite.
Sweet gum tree eat the weeds and other things, too. But you dont have to commit to the lengthy process of boiling sap down into balsam in order to enjoy the sweet gum smell. Sweetgum trees are important resources for medicinal and other beneficial compounds. The liquidambar styraciflua growth rate is moderate to rapid. American sweetgum liquidambar styraciflua, also known as american storax, hazel pine. Along the rivers of the southeastern united states, sweet gums exceed 125 ft. Gum tree gum tree spiritual meaning and medicinal uses. They were formerly often treated in hamamelidaceae. Within both common and botanical names of the sweetgum liquidambar styraciflua, we can gather that the tree offers a liquid, resinous, sweettasting gum. A sweet gum is a deciduous tree in the witch hazel family that ranges in height from 60 to 100 feet and has a narrow oval canopy. The stuff i cut in winter did fine, the stuff i cut and stacked in the summer got a bit of black mold on the ends but no rot. The sap of the sweet gum can be processed into a necessary ingredient for incensemaking. Jan 14, 2011 sweet gum, also spelled as sweetgum, is a highly popular landscaping tree in north america.
Sweetgum contains nearly 10 per cent of impurities. The downside to growing a sweetgum tree is the seed pods. Doreen frantz sweetgum ball tree, sweetgum ball tree nuisance, uses of sweetgum ball its sweet gum ball time of year again and that means you may find yourself slipping on these prickly round seeds. And then, you press them together and encircle the head with them.
The sweet gum is named for the sweet smelling rosin that is sometimes used in perfumes. A chewing gum and a stabilizer for cakes etc is obtained from the resin. Sweet gum is a larval host plant for the beautiful luna moth. It grows to 75 feet in height and prefers full sun in zones 5 to 9, which includes all but the very northern and southern parts of the united states.
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