Bot flies are indeed native and Sumac for kidneys

Bot flies are indeed native and Sumac for kidneys

by Alex
(Western NC)

Oh, bot flies, both bunny and squirrel bot flies are indeed native to the US, and infest many animals every year. I have seen two rabbits die from having the larva removed by a Vet, so one must be careful.

Sumac was used by medical doctors in the early 20th Century as a kidney remedy, for stones and infections. My aunt was instructed to eat the seeds (suck on them I suspect) every day during the 1930's, a time when there was no antibiotic.

I like to nibble on sumac seeds, and they can be refreshing on a hot fall day before the rain has washed all the flavor off.

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Hi Alex, you are absolutely right; bot fly can be found just about everywhere now, including where you come from in Western NC.

I think what Gypsy was saying was that bot flies are not indigenous to the USA as they originate from Mexico, Central and South America.

Sumac has a number of healing properties and is vastly underestimated in today's world.

Regards
Kathryn
Countryfarm Lifestyles

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Oct 16, 2014
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bot flies and sumac
by: Fizzlecat

Odd combination for a title, hmm?

Anyway, I'm 57 and I can remember the traumatic event at an early age: my dad removed a bot fly larva from the neck of a kitten I had.

He called it a screw-worm, and said the old-timers called them "wolfs." They were (and are) bad to infest wild rabbits and squirrels here in the deep south.

Guess they've been around for quite a while.

Thanks for the article on sumac! I'd heard about making lemonade out of the berries, but was never brave enough to try it. I will "brave up" and try your recipe! How do you store them and make a flour substitute? Would really like to know!

You have a really neat website!

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Glad you like the website and stopped by!

You can preserve sumac berries, making sure of course that you have the edible sumac, not the poisonous variety, by cutting the branches with the berries on them. Then tie them into bunches and hang them upside down in a dark room. If you preserve your sumac like this, it will keep for the winter.

Once dried you can grind the berries up and you will have a tart, lemony spice.

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