American Sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua): The Forgotten Healing Tree

It’s hard to imagine that the same tree decorating suburban streets with vibrant fall colors once played a role in ancient medicine. Yet the American sweetgum – known scientifically as Liquidambar styraciflua – was once one of North America’s most valued natural remedies.

Its amber-colored resin, aromatic bark, and star-shaped leaves carry a history of healing that stretches from Indigenous traditions to early American apothecaries. But over time, its medicinal legacy faded from memory, replaced by its ornamental reputation.

Today, as scientists rediscover the powerful compounds within this remarkable tree, the American sweetgum is finally reclaiming its title as the “Forgotten Healing Tree.”

What Is the American Sweetgum?

The American sweetgum is a tall, deciduous tree native to the southeastern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America. It belongs to the Altingiaceae family and can grow over 100 feet tall, with distinctive star-shaped leaves that turn fiery red, gold, and orange in autumn.

Its most recognizable feature, however, is its spiky seed pods – those round, bristly balls that often litter the ground beneath. Inside these pods are seeds and traces of a fragrant resin historically known as storax or liquid amber.

That resin, which gives the tree its scientific name (Liquidambar, meaning “liquid amber”), is what made the sweetgum famous in traditional medicine.

Historical and Indigenous Uses

Before modern pharmaceuticals, the American sweetgum played a crucial role in Indigenous healing systems.

1. Native American Medicine

Tribes across the southeastern United States – including the Cherokee and Choctaw – used different parts of the tree for healing:

• Resin: Applied to wounds, sores, and insect bites to prevent infection.

• Bark teas: Used to treat diarrhea, coughs, and fever.

• Leaf poultices: Placed on the skin to relieve inflammation and rashes.

The Cherokee also used sweetgum resin as a natural chewing gum, not just for pleasure but for oral hygiene and respiratory relief.

2. Spanish and Colonial Use

When Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas, they quickly adopted sweetgum resin. Historical records show that Hernán Cortés sent samples back to Spain as early as the 1500s, describing it as a healing balm used by the Aztecs.

It became known in Europe as “liquid storax” and was sold in apothecaries as a remedy for wounds, coughs, and chest congestion. The resin was even used in perfumes and incense, valued for its rich, balsamic scent.

By the 1800s, sweetgum extracts appeared in American herbal texts as treatments for bronchitis, dysentery, and skin infections.

The Healing Power of Sweetgum Resin

The golden resin that seeps from the tree’s bark is more than just fragrant – it’s medicinally potent.

1. Natural Antimicrobial

The resin contains cinnamic acid, coumarin, eugenol, and benzaldehyde compounds known for their antibacterial and antifungal activity. These properties made sweetgum resin an early treatment for wounds, ulcers, and sore throats.

2. Anti-Inflammatory Properties

Studies show that sweetgum resin helps reduce inflammation and swelling, similar to how willow bark was used before the discovery of aspirin. It was traditionally applied as a balm or poultice to relieve sore muscles and joints.

3. Respiratory Relief

When boiled in water or chewed as gum, sweetgum resin releases volatile oils that help clear the airways. Early healers used it as a natural expectorant to loosen phlegm and ease coughing, especially in cases of bronchitis or influenza.

Modern Science Catches Up

For centuries, sweetgum’s healing reputation was based on folk tradition – but modern chemistry has validated what ancient healers already knew.

1. Source of Shikimic Acid

In 2005, during the global flu outbreak, researchers discovered that the sweetgum tree’s seed pods contain shikimic acid, a key ingredient used to produce oseltamivir (Tamiflu) – one of the most effective antiviral medications for influenza.

While most of the world’s commercial shikimic acid supply comes from star anise, sweetgum trees were found to be a sustainable, local alternative.

2. Antiviral Compounds

Scientific studies published in journals like Phytotherapy Research have shown that extracts from Liquidambar styraciflua inhibit certain RNA viruses, including strains of influenza and herpes simplex.

This has sparked renewed interest in developing natural antivirals based on sweetgum resin.

3. Antioxidant and Cytoprotective Effects

Research indicates that the flavonoids and polyphenols in sweetgum bark and leaves possess antioxidant properties, helping neutralize free radicals and protect cells from oxidative stress – a major contributor to aging and chronic disease.

Traditional Remedies Revived

As people turn back to herbal and sustainable medicine, many are rediscovering how to use sweetgum safely at home.

Here are a few traditional uses – still relevant today:

1. Sweetgum Resin Balm (for Skin Irritation or Wounds)

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon sweetgum resin

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or beeswax

Instructions:

• Warm the oil gently, add the resin, and stir until dissolved.

• Strain and cool.

• Apply to cuts, burns, or insect bites to soothe and disinfect.

2. Sweetgum Tea (for Coughs and Congestion)

Ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon dried sweetgum bark or leaves

• 1 cup hot water

Instructions:

• Steep for 10 minutes.

• Strain and sip slowly.

• Optional: Add honey and lemon for extra flavor and antibacterial power.

(Note: Use small amounts – sweetgum bark can be potent.)

3. Sweetgum Resin Steam Inhalation (for Sinus Relief)

How to use:

• Add a few drops of resin or bark extract to a bowl of boiling water.

• Inhale the steam under a towel for 5–7 minutes.
  This helps clear nasal congestion and soothe irritated airways.

Other Notable Benefits

Beyond its antiviral and antimicrobial power, the sweetgum tree offers a wide range of health applications:

Chemical Composition of Sweetgum Resin

The tree’s healing power lies in its unique chemistry.

Main Active Compounds:

• Eugenol: Antiseptic and analgesic (also found in cloves).

• Cinnamic acid: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory.

• Coumarin: Aromatic compound with muscle-relaxing properties.

• Shikimic acid: Precursor for antiviral drug synthesis.

• Benzaldehyde: Mild disinfectant and aromatic compound.

These compounds together create a synergistic effect, making sweetgum resin both protective and restorative.

Ecological and Cultural Importance

The American sweetgum is not just medicinal – it’s ecologically significant.

1. Wildlife Value

Its seeds provide food for birds, squirrels, and small mammals, while its canopy offers shelter for pollinators and insects.

2. Aromatic Heritage

The resin’s pleasant scent once made it a prized ingredient in ancient Egyptian balms and incense, and it continues to be used in modern perfumery under the name “liquidambar.”

3. Cultural Symbolism

In many Native traditions, the sweetgum symbolized healing, resilience, and protection — a tree of balance between body and spirit.

Precautions and Safe Use

While sweetgum is natural, it must be used carefully:

• Resin: Safe in small topical or oral amounts but should not be consumed in large quantities.

• Bark tea: Use mild infusions; avoid high doses, which may irritate the stomach.

• Pregnancy & children: Avoid internal use without medical guidance.

• Allergies: Those sensitive to balsam or resin products should patch-test before applying.

As with any herbal remedy, consult a qualified healthcare provider before using sweetgum therapeutically.

Modern Rediscovery and Research

In recent years, renewed scientific interest in Liquidambar styraciflua has led to deeper exploration of its potential:

• Pharmaceuticals: As a sustainable North American source of shikimic acid for antiviral production.

• Natural cosmetics: Used in balms, soaps, and perfumes for its soothing and aromatic qualities.

• Herbal medicine: Incorporated in modern herbal formulas for respiratory and immune support.

As researchers uncover new therapeutic compounds within the sweetgum, it’s becoming clear that this “forgotten” tree may play a future role in medicine once again.

The Sweetgum in Modern Holistic Health

Today, herbalists view the American sweetgum as a bridge between ancient wisdom and modern science. It embodies what many people seek in natural health:

• A local, sustainable source of medicine.

• Scientifically supported healing compounds.

• Holistic benefits for body, mind, and environment.

Its resilience – thriving in diverse soils and climates – mirrors the balance it brings to human health: grounding, cleansing, and restorative.

Final Thoughts: The Legacy of a Forgotten Healer

The American sweetgum is more than a beautiful autumn tree – it’s a living pharmacy, deeply rooted in North American history.

From Indigenous medicine to antiviral research, its story reminds us that nature’s cures often stand quietly beside us, waiting to be rediscovered.

Perhaps it’s time we bring the “Forgotten Healing Tree” back into awareness – not only for its medicinal gifts but for what it represents:
a reconnection to nature, tradition, and the timeless wisdom of plants.