Tehran University of Medical Sciences Traditional and Integrative Medicine 2476-5104 11 3 2026 10 01 2095 2095 Somayeh Zakeri Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Nastaran Hemmati Faculty of Agriculture, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Sayyedeh Fatemeh Askari Department of Pharmacognosy and Traditional Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, Cardiovascular Diseases Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran Zahra Memariani Pharmaceutical Sciences Research Center, Department of Persian Medicine, School of Persian Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran Fatemeh Kolangi Counseling and Reproductive Health Research Centre, Department of Persian Medicine, School of medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran 2025 04 28 2026 04 17 Sumac is a well-known plant in traditional Persian medicine and has been described as having many healing properties. The outer layer of its fruit is commonly used as a spice and is also recommended, alone or with other substances, for certain health problems in traditional Persian medical texts. The purpose of this study was to review the written opinions of traditional Persian medicine scholars about sumac and compare these traditional uses with modern scientific research. To do this, a wide search was carried out in important Persian medicine books and modern scientific databases, including PubMed, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Magiran, and SID. Keywords such as “Sumac”, “Rhus coriaria L.”, “Persian medicine”, “phytochemicals”, and “chemical compounds” were used. Information about the plant’s characteristics, uses, and available experimental and clinical studies was collected. Then, the traditional knowledge was compared with recent scientific findings. According to traditional Persian medicine, the outer layer of sumac has a cold and dry temperament, and its main effects are astringent and tonic. Traditional books describe its uses for improving stomach and gum health, treating dysentery and infectious diseases, reducing heavy uterine bleeding, and helping with gout. Modern studies also support several of these uses, showing antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, and antigout effects, as well as protection against stomach ulcers. Early research further suggests that sumac may have anticancer and heart-protective properties and may help lower blood lipids and glucose. Phytochemical studies show that sumac contains anthocyanins, terpenes, phenolic acids, tannins, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids. These compounds are linked to its biological activities. Overall, comparing traditional knowledge with modern science reveals many similarities. Combining scientific results with traditional medical understanding may support future research and the development of new medicinal products made from sumac. https://jtim.tums.ac.ir/index.php/jtim/article/view/2095