White Oak Bark, (Quercus alba) Powder Bulk

Family

Fagaceae (Beech Family)

Etymology

The genus name, Quercus, is thought to derive from the Celtic quer, "fine," and cuez, "tree." The species name, alba, is Latin for "white."

Range of Appearance

White oak is native to North America. This decidous tree can reach up to 100 feet in height and features a wide-spread, irregular crown of foliage and graybrown bark. The leaves have seven to ten rounded, fingerlike lobes and are whitish underneath, with prominent veins. The tree is monoecious, bearing both male (staminate) and female (pistillate) flowers. The male flowers are yellow-green and borne in catkins, while the female flowers are reddish green and borne in small, single spikes. The acorns are often not produced until a tree is at least twenty years old. Oak galls, also known as oak apples, are rounded growths that occur most often in small shoots and twigs. They result from gall wasps laying eggs in the twigs of the trees. The wasps that lay the eggs and the larvae that hatch from them secrete chemicals that cause abnormal growth and cell division in the host tree, resulting in the growth of a gall around each larva. The larva feed upon the gall tissue as they develop, and when they mature, they bore a hole through it and escape as wasps. The galls are best collected when their tannin content is highest, in early fall when they are flecked with red.

Parts Used

Inner bark, gall (growth produced by fungus or insect)

Physiological Effects

Inner bark: anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antivenomous, astringent, expectorant, febrifuge, hemostatic, lithotriptic, styptic, tonic, vermifuge. Gall: astringent.

Medicinal Uses

Oak inner bark, which was included in the United States Pharmacopoeia from 1820 until 1916, helps dry dampness, heals damaged tissues, and can slow or stop both external and internal bleeding. Its high tannin content is responsible for a wide range of its activity; the tannins bind with protein in the tissues, thus making them impermeable to infection. Oak bark tea can be used to treat anal prolapse, blood in the urine, cancer, catarrh, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, fever, gallstones, hemorrhage, kidney stones, night sweats, uterine prolapse, and varicose veins. Oak bark is excellent as a gargle to treat sore throat and tonsillitis, as a mouthwash to treat bleeding gums, or as a tooth powder to treat receding gums, loose teeth, and pyorrhea. Topically, it can be used as a compress or wash to treat burns, bruises, capillary weakness, cuts, eczema, hemorrhoids, poison ivy/oak, ringworm, toothache, and varicose veins. It also can be applied as a poultice to stop bleeding. Oak bark can be prepared as an enema, suppository, or sitz bath to treat hemorrhoids or as a douche to treat leukorrhea. Powdered, it can be used as a snuff to stop nosebleeds. The tea can also be used as a hair rinse to treat dandruff. Oak galls are used in the treatment of cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery. They can be applied topically as a compress in the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Culinary Uses

The inner bark and galls are not generally considered edible. The tree's acorns are edible and contain high levels of carbohydrates, protein, and fat. The best come from white oaks, and they are usually soaked in water for at least 24 hours to leach out the tannins and then ground into a meal, which can be added to soups and cereals. Acorns can also be roasted as a coffee substitute.

Other Uses

Tannic acid from oak is used in tanning leather. The tree's hardwood timber is a favorite building material, which has led to many oak forests being cut down. The bark produces a purplish dye, while the galls produce a brown dye. A mulch of the dried leaves repels slugs and grubs. The young stems of the tree can be used as chewing sticks for cleaning and massaging the gums and teeth.

Constituents

Phosphorous, potassium, sulfur, tannins (phlobatannin, ellagitannins, gallic acid), flavonoids (quercitrin, quercetrol); the galls have higher concentrations of tannins than the bark

Contraindications

Oak galls are extremely astringent; use only in small quantities. Use oak bark for no longer than a month continuously.

Plant details were provided by iPlant by Brigitte Mars.

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