ENGLISH NAME: Smoke Tree
LATIN NAME: Cotinus
coggygria
LOCAL NAMES:
Bulgarian: Смрадлика, Тетра
Czech: Skalník (rarely
used)
Turkish: Duman ağacı (not
commonly used medicinally)
COUNTRY: Bulgaria,
Türkiye
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Region: Warmer parts of
Bulgaria, widespread up to 800 m
Elevation: Up to 800 m
Terrain: Dry, chalky or
limestone soils, stony slopes, scrubland, sparse oak forests
DESCRIPTION:
Smoke Tree is a shrub or small tree growing up to 4 meters tall.
It has reddish branches, yellowish wood, and obovate to
elliptic green leaves, often tinged with red. The plant blooms in May–June,
bearing small flowers in spreading panicle inflorescences. Fruits
are dry, one-seeded, and dark brown.
USABLE PARTS: Leaves (Folia
Cotini coggygriae)
MEDICINAL
PROPERTIES:
External use:
Antiseptic, anti-inflammatory,
astringent
Used for wounds,
acne, skin conditions, gum inflammation, white
discharge, boils, hemorrhoids, and sweating feet
May help lighten pigment
spots and treat oily skin
Internal use:
May assist with diarrhea
and heartburn, but should only be used internally after medical
consultation
UNDESIRED EFFECTS:
Should not be
used internally
without professional supervision due to its strong tannins and potential
toxicity.
PREPARATION:
For compresses,
washes, and poultices:
Steep 100 g
finely chopped leaves in 1 L of boiling water. Let cool, strain, and
use the liquid externally.
For inflamed
gums:
Mix equal
parts smoke tree and chamomile with 1 tsp baking soda, boil in 1
L water for 5 minutes. Strain and use as a rinse.
HARVEST TIME: May to June
(during bloom, before fruiting)
HARVEST METHOD:
Leaves are
handpicked and dried in the sun or shade, or in dryers up to 50°C.
Stir frequently
during drying. Avoid moisture from rain or dew, which reduces tannin
content.
For industrial
use: young shoots are sun-dried, threshed, and separated from thick
stems.
3 kg of fresh
leaves yield ~1 kg of dried herb.
CONSERVATION
(STORAGE):
Store dried leaves in dry, ventilated areas, away from moisture
and direct sunlight.
SUSTAINABILITY
NOTES:
Not a protected
species, but at risk from overharvesting.
Limit harvesting
to 70% of population per site; allow 2–3 years between
collections in the same area.
Avoid cutting thick
old branches to preserve plant health and future yields.