Oak Bark

Oak bark: application and effects of the home remedy

Oak bark contains valuable tannins that have a beneficial effect on inflammation and itching. You can find out how to use the remedy correctly here.

Oak bark is a natural remedy that is used to treat some ailments. Oaks played a role as medicinal plants as early as the Middle Ages. Traditionally, healers use the dried young bark of the English oak (Quercus robur). The species from the beech family (Fagaceae) is widespread in Central Europe. At first the bark appears smooth and gray-green, later a cracked bark develops. Extracts from the oak bark can not only be used externally as a bath additive or ointment, but also have a healing effect internally as a tea.

Use oak bark as a home remedy

• Oak bark tea helps with diarrhea and is also said to have a slightly appetizing effect.
• In the case of slight inflammation in the mouth and throat, a solution made from oak bark is used for rinsing and gargling.
• Oak bark is mainly used as a lotion or ointment for hemorrhoids, cracks in the anus, small burns and other skin complaints.
• In the form of sitting, foot and full baths, oak bark is said to alleviate inflammatory skin diseases, itching and also chilblains as well as excessive sweat production.

Externally, oak bark should generally not be used for more than two to three weeks. In the case of extensive injuries and eczema, external application is not recommended. When used internally, the absorption of alkaloids and other basic drugs can be delayed or inhibited. In case of doubt, especially sensitive people should first discuss the application with their doctor.

Ingredients

• 2 to 4 teaspoons of finely chopped oak bark (about 3 grams)
• 500 milliliters of cold water

Preparation

For a tea, the oak bark is first prepared cold: Pour cold water over the oak bark and let it steep for half an hour. Then briefly boil the mixture and strain the rind off. To treat diarrhea, it is recommended to drink warm oak bark tea half an hour before meals. Internally, however, oak bark should not be used more than three times a day and for longer than three to four days.

Prepare oak bark as a solution

For an anti-inflammatory solution for rinsing and gargling, about 2 tablespoons of oak bark are boiled in 500 milliliters of water for 15 to 20 minutes and then strained. The cooled, undiluted solution can be used to rinse or gargle several times a day. It can also be used for poultices to treat easily inflamed or itchy areas of skin.

Oak bark ointment

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon oak bark powder
• 2 to 3 tablespoons of marigold ointment

Preparation

Mix the oak bark powder with the marigold ointment. You can make both ingredients yourself or buy them in the pharmacy. The oak bark ointment is applied once or twice a day to treat hemorrhoids.

Oak bark as a bath additive

For a partial or hip bath you calculate with about one tablespoon of oak bark (5 grams) per liter of water. For a full bath, first add 500 grams of dried oak bark to four to five liters of cold water, let the mixture boil briefly and then strain the bark after a steeping time of 15 to 20 minutes. The cooled brew is then added to the full bath. Bathing time is a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes at 32 to 37 degrees Celsius. Since oak bark has a drying effect, it should no longer be used.

In the case of the following complaints, a full bath with oak bark is better avoided completely: in the case of major skin injuries, acute skin diseases, severe febrile infectious diseases, heart failure and high blood pressure.

Oak bark extract

To make an oak bark extract, you mix oak bark with high percentage alcohol (about 55 percent) in a ratio of 1:10 (for example ten grams of bark and 100 milliliters of alcohol). Let the mixture stand in a screw jar at room temperature for about two weeks, shaking the jar once a day. Then the bark is strained and the extract is stored in a dark and cool place - ideally in an amber glass bottle. It lasts about a year.

What are the ingredients of oak bark?

Oak bark is characterized by a comparatively high proportion of tannins - depending on the age of the branches and the time of harvest, it is 8 to 20 percent. In addition to ellagitannins, the substances contained are primarily oligomeric procyanidins, which are made up of catechin, epicatechin and gallocatechin. Other ingredients are triterpenes and quercitol.

The tannins have an astringent or astringent effect: they react with the collagen fibers of the skin and mucous membranes to form insoluble compounds. Applied externally, they compress the tissue on the surface and prevent bacteria from penetrating deeper layers. But also internally, for example, diarrhea pathogens can be kept away from the intestinal mucosa.

The young bark of the English oak (Quercus robur) is suitable for the treatment of skin inflammation and diarrheal diseases due to its high tannin content.

How does oak bark work?

The tannin-rich oak bark has anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and anti-itch effects. It is therefore mainly used in the treatment of wounds, small burns and inflammatory diseases of the mucous membranes - in the mouth and throat, as well as in the anal and genital area. Internally, oak bark strengthens the intestines and has a constipating effect on mild diarrheal diseases.

Collecting oak bark: this is what you need to pay attention to

If you want to collect oak bark yourself, you should do so in spring - between March and May. Traditionally, the bark-free bark of young, thin branches of the English oak (Quercus robur) is used. Of course, the cutting of the branches should be discussed with the tree owner. Also, be careful not to damage the trees unnecessarily: Depending on the area of application, usually only a few grams of oak bark are needed. Let the cut pieces of bark dry well. Alternatively, you can buy oak bark in small pieces or as an extract in the pharmacy.