RE: Urushi

From: Brett Breitwieser (brett@bigskyranch.us)
Date: Fri Nov 14 2003 - 15:53:59 PST


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Yeah, looks like all they have in common is that they are members of the
rhus genus in family Anacardiaceae:
The edible kind is Rhus coriaria, also used as a tanning agent. "The frui=
t
contains only traces of essential oil."
In Europe, only Rh. coriaria is commercially available. In North America,
however, two indigenous species (Rh. glabra and Rh. aromatica) have some
small market share; their dried fruits have been used by North American
Indians to make traditional sour beverages, but are rarely used today. Su=
mac
species from the Old and the New World have very similar flavor. (note th=
at
the safe sumacs have berries that are reddish-brown in color, the unsafe
ones are white in color)

 ... the closely related New-World genus Toxicodendron contains only plan=
ts
that (as can be inferred by the genus name poisonous tree) are highly tox=
ic.
These species have formerly been listed under genus Rhus and are often
referred to as sumac in common speech including Toxicodendron diversilobu=
m
(Poison Oak).

 "All those contain urushiols (3-Alkyl resorcinol derivatives with long s=
ide
chains) that are extremely powerful allergens if applied to the intact sk=
in,
causing painful dermatitis in sensitive people. Sensitivity is acquired o=
n
previous contact to the urushiols, without any symptoms. The toxins are
effective in sub-=B5g amounts. Lethal poisonings have been reported,
particularly on ingestion where the urushiols attack the mucous membranes=
 of
mouth and intestines. Note that the fruits of Toxicodendron species are
white, not red. Allergens of urushiol type are commonly found in the
Anacardiaceae family, e.g., in cashew shell oil or (in traces) unripe
mangoes."

Urushi is the sap of the urushi (or lacquer) tree (rhus vernicifera):
"The urushi sap contains the chemical compound urushiol (55-65 percent*),
water (20-30 %), gum (5-7 %) and so on.*It is said that the higher the
urushiol content, the greater the hardness will be after the lacquer is
applied. The Japanese lacquer is said to be the highest in the ratio of
urushiol. It is about 55 percent for Chinese lacquer and 45 percent for
Vietnamese lacquer. It is a member of the Anacardiaceae (sumac) family...=
 "

                               Family Anacardiaceae =96 Sumac family
                                  Genus Rhus L. =96 sumac
                                     Species Rhus coriaria L. =96 Sicilia=
n
sumac (edible)
      Rh. glabra and Rh. aromatica --native American species (edible)
      Rhus vernicifera --Urushi (poisonous)

thanks for the clarification! Seems they are only distant relatives with
quite different amounts of the poisonous essential oil.

Rev. Brett Breitwieser (zen@arizuma.us)
Arizuma Zen Fellowship
http://arizuma.us

"The clouds evaporate in the cold sky.
The autumn has departed and the mountain is barren.
This is where we originally dwell." -Hongzhi

-----Original Message-----
From: Gene [mailto:oldmanriver@alltel.net]
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 2:40 PM
To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
Subject: Re: Urushi

No, Bret, poison sumac is a small shrub, bush or vine.

Urushi is a large tree.

Gene
  ----- Original Message -----
  From: Brett Breitwieser
  To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
  Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 4:34 PM
  Subject: RE: Urushi

  I'm wondering if there is any relationship between the "poison sumac" I
used to see in the fields growing up as a kid in Ohio (a beautiful plant =
BTW
but I've heard some real sad stories about kids eating it), the Persian
sumac that I eat on my bread in the morning, and the sumac used in urushi=
?
Would eating the sumac serve as a homeopathic for the other variety? I kn=
ow
some people don't like the stuff at all, but I love it (quite sour
tasting)... it would be funny if I was "varnishing" my insides all this
years like a big ol' Shakuhachi... could start a new school or something:
singing honkyo...

  Rev. Brett Breitwieser (zen@arizuma.us)
  Arizuma Zen Fellowship
  http://arizuma.us

  "The clouds evaporate in the cold sky.
  The autumn has departed and the mountain is barren.
  This is where we originally dwell." -Hongzhi

  -----Original Message-----
  From: Johntcoker@aol.com [mailto:Johntcoker@aol.com]
  Sent: Friday, November 14, 2003 2:02 PM
  To: Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu
  Subject: Re: Urushi

  Aother thought on the urushi/homeopathic thing -

  Making a homeopathic Rx of urushi, itself, is a simple matter. Dissolv=
e
one drop of urushi in 100 drops of water (this can be approximate, for yo=
ur
own use) in a small glass container with a top. Succus - apply mechanica=
l
motion to the container. This is done by hitting the bottom of the
container on a surface, such as a book. Succus about 50 times. Pour the
liquid out (there'll be plenty "hanging" on the walls of the container to
"make" the Rx). Fill the container with clear water in an amount equal t=
o
what you poured out. Repeat this procedure about 10 times. You will the=
n
have a "10" potency of urushi. It won't be 10c or 10x, as those denote 1
drop of urushi to 100, or to 10, drops of water, respectively. For "home
Rx" purposes like this, that precision isn't important. To "take" the Rx=
,
place 2 drops of it under the tongue. That's it.

  It's OK to use this "casual" procedure for the type of purpose we're
discussing. For anything else, you're a lot better off obtaining a Rx ma=
de
to strict standards by a homeopathic pharmacy, and consulting an experien=
ced
homeopath about need and dosage. It's just as possible to screw things u=
p
with a homeopathic Rx as it is to make things better. The general
homeopathic rule is "less is best".

  jtc

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<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff><FONT=20
size=3D2>Yeah, looks like all they have in common is that they are =
members of the=20
<EM>rhus</EM> genus in family </FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://plants.usda.gov/classification/output_report.cgi?3|S|Anaca=
rdiaceae|u|140|+63"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Anacardiaceae</FONT></A><FONT=20
size=3D2>:</FONT></FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT face=3DArial><FONT =
color=3D#0000ff><FONT=20
size=3D2>The edible kind <EM>is Rhus coriaria,</EM> also used as a =
tanning agent.=20
<EM>"The fruit contains only traces of essential=20
oil."</EM></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV>
<P><EM><FONT face=3DArial><FONT color=3D#0000ff><FONT size=3D2>In =
Europe, only Rh.=20
coriaria is commercially available. In North America, however, two =
indigenous=20
species (Rh. glabra and Rh. aromatica) have some small market share; =
their dried=20
fruits have been used by North American Indians to make traditional sour =

beverages, but are rarely used today. Sumac species from the Old and the =
New=20
World have very similar flavor.&nbsp;<SPAN =
class=3D927025222-14112003>(note that=20
the safe sumacs have berries that are reddish-brown in color, the unsafe =
ones=20
are white in color)</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></EM></P>
<P><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003>&nbsp;</SPAN><EM><FONT face=3DArial=20
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>... </FONT></EM></SPAN><SPAN =
class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>the closely related New-World =
genus <I=20
lang=3Dla>Toxicodendron</I> contains only plants that (as can be =
inferred by the=20
genus name <Q>poisonous tree</Q>) are highly toxic. These species have =
formerly=20
been listed under genus <I lang=3Dla>Rhus</I> and are often referred to =
as=20
<Q>sumac</Q> in common speech including <I lang=3Dla>Toxicodendron=20
diversilobum</I> (Poison Oak). </FONT></SPAN><SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003></P></SPAN>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =

size=3D2>&nbsp;"All those contain urushiols (3-Alkyl resorcinol =
derivatives with=20
long side chains) that are extremely powerful allergens if applied to =
the intact=20
skin, causing painful dermatitis in sensitive people. Sensitivity is =
acquired on=20
previous contact to the urushiols, without any symptoms. The toxins are=20
effective in sub-&#956;g amounts. Lethal poisonings have been reported, =
particularly=20
on ingestion where the urushiols attack the mucous membranes of mouth =
and=20
intestines. Note that the fruits of <I lang=3Dla>Toxicodendron</I> =
species are=20
white, not red. Allergens of urushiol type are commonly found in the =
</FONT><A=20
lang=3Dla=20
href=3D"http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/spice_bot.html#Anacar=
diaceae"><FONT=20
face=3DArial size=3D2>Anacardiaceae</FONT></A><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>=20
family, e.g., in cashew shell oil or (in traces) unripe </FONT><A=20
href=3D"http://www-ang.kfunigraz.ac.at/~katzer/engl/Mang_ind.html"><FONT =

face=3DArial size=3D2>mangoes</FONT></A><FONT face=3DArial =
color=3D#0000ff=20
size=3D2>."</FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =

size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff =

size=3D2></FONT></SPAN>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003></SPAN><FONT face=3DArial><FONT=20
color=3D#0000ff><FONT size=3D2><EM>Urushi</EM> is the sap of the urushi =
(or lacquer)=20
tree<SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003>&nbsp;</SPAN><SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003>(</SPAN><EM>rhus=20
vernicifera</EM></FONT></FONT></FONT><SPAN =
class=3D927025222-14112003><FONT=20
face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>): </FONT>
<P><FONT face=3DArial><FONT color=3D#0000ff><FONT size=3D2><SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003>"</SPAN>The urushi sap contains&nbsp;<SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003>the</SPAN> chemical compound urushiol (55-65 =
percent*),=20
water (20-30 %), gum (5-7 %) and so on.*It is said that the higher the =
urushiol=20
content, the greater the hardness will be after the lacquer is applied. =
The=20
Japanese lacquer is said to be the highest in the ratio of urushiol. It =
is about=20
55 percent for Chinese lacquer and 45 percent for Vietnamese =
lacquer.&nbsp;It is=20
a member of the Anacardiaceae (sumac) family...&nbsp;<SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003>"</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></P>
<P><FONT color=3D#0000ff size=3D2>
<TABLE cellSpacing=3D1 cellPadding=3D1 width=3D"100%">
  <TBODY>
  <TR vAlign=3Dtop>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop scope=3DROW align=3Dleft =
width=3D"32%"><FONT=20
      =
face=3DArial>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Family</FONT></TD>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop align=3Dleft width=3D"68%"><A=20
      =
href=3D"http://plants.usda.gov/classification/output_report.cgi?3|S|Anaca=
rdiaceae|u|140|+63"><FONT=20
      face=3DArial>Anacardiaceae</FONT></A><FONT face=3DArial> =96 Sumac =
family=20
    </FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=3Dtop>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop scope=3DROW align=3Dleft =
width=3D"32%"><FONT=20
      =
face=3DArial>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Genus</FONT></TD>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop align=3Dleft width=3D"68%"><A=20
      =
href=3D"http://plants.usda.gov/classification/output_report.cgi?3|S|RHUS|=
u|140|+63"><FONT=20
      face=3DArial><I>Rhus</I> L.</FONT></A><FONT face=3DArial> =96 =
sumac=20
</FONT></TD></TR>
  <TR vAlign=3Dtop>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop scope=3DROW align=3Dleft =
width=3D"32%"><FONT=20
      =
face=3DArial>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=
&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&=
nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;=20
      Species</FONT></TD>
    <TD class=3Dlist vAlign=3Dtop align=3Dleft width=3D"68%">
      <DIV><A=20
      =
href=3D"http://plants.usda.gov/classification/output_report.cgi?3|S|RHCO1=
4|u|140|+63"><FONT=20
      face=3DArial><I>Rhus</I> <I>coriaria</I> L.</FONT></A><FONT =
face=3DArial> =96=20
      Sicilian sumac&nbsp;<SPAN=20
      class=3D927025222-14112003>(edible)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
      <DIV><FONT color=3D#0000ff><FONT face=3DArial><EM><U>Rh. glabra =
and Rh.=20
      aromatica</U></EM><SPAN>&nbsp;<FONT color=3D#000000><SPAN=20
      class=3D927025222-14112003>--</SPAN>native American species<SPAN=20
      class=3D927025222-14112003>=20
(edible)</SPAN></FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV>
      <DIV><FONT face=3DArial><FONT color=3D#0000ff><EM><U><SPAN=20
      class=3D927025222-14112003>R</SPAN>hus vernicifera</U></EM><SPAN=20
      class=3D927025222-14112003> <FONT color=3D#000000>--Urushi=20
      =
(poisonous)</FONT></SPAN></FONT></FONT></DIV></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></=
FONT></P>
<P><FONT face=3DArial><FONT color=3D#0000ff>thanks for the =
clarification!&nbsp;<SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003>Seems they </SPAN>are<SPAN =
class=3D927025222-14112003>=20
</SPAN><SPAN class=3D927025222-14112003>only</SPAN> distant =
relatives<SPAN=20
class=3D927025222-14112003> with quite different amounts of the =
poisonous=20
essential oil.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></SPAN></P></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT color=3D#888888 size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2><STRONG>Rev. Brett Breitwieser (<A=20
href=3D"mailto:zen@arizuma.us">zen@arizuma.us</A>)</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2>Arizuma Zen=20
Fellowship</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2><A=20
href=3D"http://arizuma.us/">http://arizuma.us></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>"The clouds evaporate in the cold=20
sky.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>The autumn has departed and the mountain is =
barren.=20
</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>This is where we originally dwell."=20
-Hongzhi</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2></FONT></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2></FONT></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> Gene=20
[mailto:
oldmanriver@alltel.net]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, November 14, =
2003 2:40=20
PM<BR><B>To:</B> Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu<BR><B>Subject:</B> =
Re:=20
Urushi<BR><BR></FONT></DIV>
<DIV>No, Bret, poison sumac is a small shrub, bush or vine.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Urushi is a large tree.</DIV>
<DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
<DIV>Gene</DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE=20
style=3D"PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; =
BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
  <DIV=20
  style=3D"BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: =
black"><B>From:</B>=20
  <A title=3Dbrett@bigskyranch.us =
href=3D"mailto:brett@bigskyranch.us">Brett=20
  Breitwieser</A> </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A=20
  title=3DShakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu=20
  =
href=3D"mailto:Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu">Shakuhachi@communicatio=
n.ucsd.edu</A>=20
  </DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, November 14, 2003 =
4:34=20
  PM</DIV>
  <DIV style=3D"FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> RE: Urushi</DIV>
  <DIV><BR></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial color=3D#0000ff size=3D2><SPAN =
class=3D137242621-14112003>I'm=20
  wondering if there is any relationship between the "poison sumac" I =
used to=20
  see in the fields growing up as a kid in Ohio (a beautiful plant BTW =
but I've=20
  heard some real sad stories about kids eating it), the&nbsp;Persian =
sumac that=20
  I eat on my bread in the morning, and the sumac used in&nbsp;urushi? =
Would=20
  eating the sumac serve as a homeopathic for the other variety? I know =
some=20
  people don't like the stuff at all, but I love it (quite sour =
tasting)... it=20
  would be funny if I was "varnishing" my insides all this years like a =
big ol'=20
  Shakuhachi... could start a new school or something: singing=20
  honkyo...</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2><STRONG>Rev. Brett Breitwieser (<A=20
  =
href=3D"mailto:zen@arizuma.us">zen@arizuma.us</A>)</STRONG></FONT></DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2>Arizuma Zen=20
  Fellowship</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT face=3DBatang size=3D2><A=20
  =
href=3D"http://arizuma.us/">http://arizuma.us></FONT></STRONG></DIV>
  <DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D2></FONT>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>"The clouds evaporate in the cold=20
  sky.</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>The autumn has departed and the mountain =
is barren.=20
  </FONT></STRONG></DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2>This is where we originally dwell."=20
  -Hongzhi</FONT></STRONG></DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2></FONT></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV><STRONG><FONT size=3D2></FONT></STRONG>&nbsp;</DIV>
  <DIV class=3DOutlookMessageHeader dir=3Dltr align=3Dleft><FONT =
face=3DTahoma=20
  size=3D2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B>
Johntcoker@aol.com =

  [mailto:Johntcoker@aol.com]<BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, November 14, 2003 =
2:02=20
  PM<BR><B>To:</B> Shakuhachi@communication.ucsd.edu<BR><B>Subject:</B> =
Re:=20
  Urushi<BR><BR></FONT></DIV><FONT face=3Darial,helvetica><FONT lang=3D0 =

  face=3D"Tempus Sans ITC" size=3D2 FAMILY=3D"DECORATIVE">Aother thought =
on the=20
  urushi/homeopathic thing - <BR><BR>Making a homeopathic Rx of urushi, =
itself,=20
  is a simple matter. &nbsp;Dissolve one drop of urushi in 100 drops of =
water=20
  (this can be approximate, for your own use) in a small glass container =
with a=20
  top. &nbsp;Succus - apply mechanical motion to the container. =
&nbsp;This is=20
  done by hitting the bottom of the container on a surface, such as a =
book.=20
  &nbsp;Succus about 50 times. &nbsp;Pour the liquid out (there'll be =
plenty=20
  "hanging" on the walls of the container to "make" the Rx). &nbsp;Fill =
the=20
  container with clear water in an amount equal to what you poured out.=20
  &nbsp;Repeat this procedure about 10 times. &nbsp;You will then have a =
"10"=20
  potency of urushi. &nbsp;It won't be 10c or 10x, as those denote 1 =
drop of=20
  urushi to 100, or to 10, drops of water, respectively. &nbsp;For "home =
Rx"=20
  purposes like this, that precision isn't important. &nbsp;To "take" =
the Rx,=20
  place 2 drops of it under the tongue. &nbsp;That's it. &nbsp; =
<BR><BR>It's OK=20
  to use this "casual" procedure for the type of purpose we're =
discussing.=20
  &nbsp;For anything else, you're a <I>lot</I> better off obtaining a Rx =
made to=20
  strict standards by a homeopathic pharmacy, and consulting an =
experienced=20
  homeopath about need and dosage. &nbsp;It's just as possible to screw =
things=20
  up with a homeopathic Rx as it is to make things better. &nbsp;The =
general=20
  homeopathic rule is "less is best". &nbsp; <BR><BR>jtc</FONT>=20
</FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>

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