Smoke Tree

Smoke tree (Cotinus coggygria) is a lush, fragrant, low shrub with long, fuzzy pink flowers shaped like little clouds, giving it a smoky appearance—hence its other name, “smoke bush.” In autumn the leaves turn coral-pink, golden yellow, or violet-crimson. After flowering, the flower stalks elongate and become covered with long, delicate pale-pink hairs that form an exceptionally beautiful panicle and envelop the entire plant, giving it outstanding ornamental value.

For medicinal purposes only the leaves are used. Smoke tree leaves contain up to 25% tannins rich in ellagic acid. They also contain gallic acid, flavonoids, myricetin, and fustin. There is also essential oil (up to 0.20%) with a pleasant scent, composed of limonene, cis-β-ocimene, α-pinene, α-terpineol, and others. Smoke tree is among the most popular herbs in Bulgarian folk medicine. It is one of the herbs with the most pronounced antioxidant and antibacterial effects.

In folk medicine, smoke tree is used primarily as an antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, hemostatic, and soothing agent—for skin diseases, eczema, acne, purulent pimples, swelling from frostbite, hard-to-heal wounds, foot perspiration, hemorrhoids, boils, persistent leukorrhea (for vaginal douching), varicose veins, and nail fungus. It is especially effective in treating persistent leukorrhea. It may be used as a rinse, but ideally in a balanced intimate-wash formula.

Smoke tree is one of the most popular herbs for acute and chronic inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity—it tones the gums, eliminates bad breath, kills plaque-causing bacteria, relieves periodontitis and gingivitis, and promotes healing of canker sores and abscesses—making it a priority ingredient in toothpastes and mouthwashes. For centuries, smoke tree has been an indispensable part of our grandmothers’ home medicine chest. Its ready availability, healing qualities, and easy, broad-spectrum application have made it a secret of health for people in our lands.