Oak bark – Natural medicine application

All oak species have been used in natural medicine to a greater or lesser extent throughout history.

This is probably due to the oak's central role in various mythologies as well as the mystique that generally surrounds the old, strong trees.

In natural medicine, oak bark has been used especially for various oral and dental problems such as gingivitis, oral thrush and pain in the throat or neck.

Oak bark from common oak

Oak bark (Quercus robur) has been used in natural medicine for the following:

Oak bark has also been used to stimulate appetite and improve digestion.

Oak bark has also been the subject of several scientific studies, including its effects on kidney infections and kidney stones (specifically, oak bark extract and tincture), but it has never been proven that oak bark can be used to treat these – or any other – health problems.

Preparation and use

• Oak bark tea: To make oak bark tea, the bark must be boiled down (it's not enough to just let it steep, as is usually the case with tea) and you should choose cut oak bark over oak bark powder. Oak bark tea can of course be drunk, but it can also be used in baths, showers and to cleanse the skin. It can also be used in cold compresses on burns or cuts.
• Oak bark ointment: Oak bark extract or tinctures should be used in ointments.
• Oak bark powder: Oak bark powder is used to treat oral and dental problems (see the recipe at the end of this article).

White oak bark

Worldwide and throughout history, white oak (Quercus alba) is probably the oak species that has been used most in natural medicine. However, it's not just the bark of the white oak, but also its leaves and acorn cups (the part of the acorn that “holds” the acorn fruit and attaches to the branches of the oak tree).

The inner bark of the white oak has been used to treat health problems such as hemorrhoids, fungus, gingivitis and varicose veins.

The active substances in white oak bark are tannin and quercin. The latter has an effect similar to that of salicin – a substance found in high concentrations in poplar and willow bark. The most striking commonality between the two substances is their antipyretic ability, but herbalists also believe that quercine strengthens capillaries and veins due to its flavonoid content (although this is by no means scientifically recognized or proven). White oak bark is also rich in calcium, manganese, potassium and magnesium.

The astringent (astringent) and antiseptic (antibacterial) effects are considered to be the main properties of white oak bark in natural medicine. In addition, it is also believed that white oak can be used to stop internal bleeding, reduce fever, expel fluid from the body (as a diuretic), counteract poisons (e.g. from plants, snakes and insects) and relieve nausea and vomiting.

Finally, it's worth mentioning that many herbalists and other practitioners use white oak bark to treat various oral and dental problems (especially oral thrush and gingivitis).

Below is an old herbal recipe from the USA. The recipe is said to produce a so-called tooth powder that is “better than toothpaste” and has “saved many people's mouths from dental work”:

Mix the following ingredients and use the mixture as toothpaste:

• 3 parts powdered oak bark (from a white oak)
• 6 parts powdered caster sugar (Symphytum officinale)
• 1 part powdered cloves
• 3 parts peppermint powder
• ½ part powdered lobelia
• 3 parts powdered horsetail (Equisetum arvense)

When should you not use oak bark?

Because there are very few studies on the effects of oak bark on human health, the potential risks and side effects of using oak bark are unknown. Therefore, it is recommended that you stay on the safe side and avoid consuming oak bark if you:

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding
• Have kidney problems
• Have heart problems
• Have eczema or damage to large areas of skin
• Have a heart condition
• Have an infection or an illness with fever

Please note that the precautions above are general and not specific to oak bark.