Also Known As – Quercus alba or Quercus robur, and oak bark.
Overview - The Common, or British Oak, for many centuries the chief forest tree of England, is intimately bound up with the history of these islands from Druid times. A spray of oak was for long engraved on one side of our sixpences and shillings, but is now superseded by the British lion. The Oak, although widely distributed over Europe, is regarded as peculiarly English.
Medicinal Uses - The astringent effects of the Oak were well known to the Ancients, by whom different parts of the tree were used, but it is the bark which is now employed in medicine. Its action is slightly tonic, strongly astringent and antiseptic. It has a strong astringent bitter taste, and its qualities are extracted both by water and spirit. The odour is slightly aromatic.
Other Uses – The acorns of the tree have been used as food and also to make a tea or coffee substitute which had the added benefit of controlling bowel problems.
Herbs to Combine/Supplement – A poultice of powdered oak bark and wheat flour combined with a little boiled water draws out slivers or splinters and other foreign substances. A wash of oak, or oak combined with witch hazel bark, is an excellent night-time compress for varicose veins and broken capillaries under the skin.
Parts Used – Dried or toasted bark. Gentle dry heat increases the concentration of volatile oils in the bark. Bark, ground before storage. Gentle heating concentrates healing volatile oils in oak bark pieces, but destroys volatile oils in oak bark once it has been powdered.
Precautions - Avoid bathing a large area of inflamed skin all at once. Oak bark infusions, extracts, and tinctures taken internally should be timed so that any medication (especially any medication that has to be taken on a relatively alkaline or empty stomach) is not in the digestive tract. Take oak bark 4 hours before or 4 hours after any prescription medication.
Suggested Preparation and Dosage - Baths, washes, infusions, teas, tinctures.
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