In this video Matthew describes the medicinal uses of the sweet gum tree (Liquidambar styraciflua), a plant used in Southern folk medicine for coughs, colds, and flu. Identification of the tree is covered followed by a demonstration of how to harvest sap or "storax".
Next a detailed explanation of this tree's medicinal benefits are given, including the uses of the fruit (gum balls), leaves, and bark. Directions on how to make a tea from the bark and leaves is also shown, as well as how to make a tincture from the gum balls and sap. Matthew's personal dosage information is also included.
Download my free guide to medicinal plants of the Southeast here: https://www.legacywildernessacademy.com/medicinal-plants-ebook
Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:40 Identification
1:22 Sweet gum vs maple
2:04 Sweet gum scientific name (etymology)
2:51 How to harvest sweet gum sap (storax)
7:27 Sweet gum medicinal uses
11:43 How to harvest sweet gum bark
13:41 Sweet gum bark decoction + dosage
15:26 Sweet gum leaf tea + dosage
16:48 Sweet gum ball (fruit) and sap (storax) tincture + dosage
19:28 Sweet gum wildlife uses