The Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis; P. spp.) can be used for helping to survive in the wild, as it can be used as a source of hydration by accessing its sweet sap. The Sycamore can be tapped like a maple tree for its syrup, though a lot of sap is required to make a little syrup. The sweet sap has also been used for making wine, as a wound dressing, the leaves used for wrapping food and the course-grained wood for tools and furniture.
The Native Americans used the American Sycamore as a traditional medicine, with the inner bark being used in cases of colds and respiratory conditions, as laxative, emetic, and for its astringent properties. There is recent interest into platanosides from American Sycamore for their potential as a botanical drug for drug-resistant infectious disease, as well as protecting against liver injury caused by acetaminophen overdose.
Note: Several types of trees are commonly called “Sycamore”, as it is derived from a Greek term meaning “Fig-Mulberry”, referring to leaf shape.
#APlantADay #UsefulPlants #MedicinalPlants #Ethnopharm #Ethnobotany #Sycamore #unitedstates #northamerica
Photo by Judy Gallagher