Oak bark: medicinal properties, use, contraindications

In many European countries and on the lands of modern Russian territory, the oak has been considered a sacred tree since ancient times. Only persons dedicated to the mysteries of mystical knowledge could allow outsiders to use parts of this plant for medicinal purposes. Today, useful wood substances have become available to everyone. Thus, the bark of oak, the medicinal properties of which have been valued long ago, has become widely used as a curative in the fight against many ailments. Not without its use in cosmetology, health medicine and even cooking.

Incarnation of longevity

As already mentioned, the oak is not just a tree. It is often compared with a great power and eternity. This is evidenced even by such a common phrase as "a century old oak". Many wonder in this tree its average growth time is 400 years. Oak and medicinal properties of the oak bark always aroused a keen interest. After all, in the tree there is also a certain special aura. It is worth noting that the oak begins to bloom only after 20-40 years of its existence. The growth takes place up to 150 years, but the increase in thickness goes on throughout life.

Doctoring through the bark of oak

Given the importance of this tree in the past centuries, it is not hard to guess how reverent it was for our ancestors. Oak bark and its medicinal properties were often used for medical purposes. However, over time, this part of the plant has not lost its popularity. Today, the bark of oak is widely used in traditional medicine. Therapeutic properties are used in pharmacology. For example, it is added to many drugs, whereas folk healers recommend using the described product in infusions, broths and ointments.

Oak bark is the most effective remedy for fighting various diseases of the mucous membrane, skin, larynx and mouth. It has a healing effect for burns, eliminates sweating syndrome, fights diarrhea, saves with frostbite and even cures some female diseases. Let's try to understand in more detail how such a device copes with ailments. To do this, you need to study the composition of the bark of the tree.

Composition of oak bark

It is able to actively suppress various inflammatory reactions and the work of microorganisms. Tannin, present in the bark (and also found in substances of tannic nature), easily copes with irritation of the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. The above enzyme is able to relieve pain and inflammation. In the oak bark, sugars, pentonases, flavonoids, pectins, gallic and ellagic acids, carotene and starch are in sufficient quantities. A whole range of constituents with antibacterial action is abundant in the oak bark. The useful properties of tannin-type substances in a specified wood material perfectly interact with protein fibers. They form a protective layer, which protects the skin from irritation.

Basic properties

Truly great at such a means as the bark of an oak, medicinal properties. Application (contraindications will be described below) this substance found in many branches of medicine. Let's analyze the main.

• The tool helps to significantly improve the state of loose teeth, strengthening them in the gingival pockets.
• Reduces sweating of the feet.
• Protects the gum from bleeding.
• Helps to fight the chronic manifestation of diarrhea, gastric bleeding, hemorrhoids, gastritis, stomach ulcer, stomatitis, gingivitis, sore throat and so on.
• Kills an unpleasant odor in the mouth.
• Oak bark has a harmful effect on bacteria, improves the condition of the sore throat. In order to achieve this effect, you should prepare the infusion yourself according to the following recipe: milled oak bark (1 tablespoon) mixed with 400 ml of ordinary vodka. The solution must be infused for 7 days. Before rinsing, tincture should be diluted with water at room temperature.

Healing properties

Due to its healing effect, the oak bark is actively used to combat a variety of ailments. Therapeutic properties are used in the following cases:

• With diseases of the digestive tract, dysentery, hemorrhoidal bleeding. Apply orally. The action is based on astringent qualities of this plant element.
• Oak bark treat the mucous membrane of the throat and oral cavity in case of manifestation of gingivitis, stomatitis, tonsillitis, to improve the condition of the gums. The method of application is rinsing.
• Actively used as a remedy for wounds, burns, inflammatory skin processes. The bark is effective in the form of lotions.
• This part of oak is used in gynecology for the prevention of vaginitis, colpitis and erosion of the uterine neck.
• Used as a restorative medicine for hair, helps to get rid of seborrhea.

Where to get the oak bark?

In order to acquire such a drug, no special skills are required. The simplest way is to buy an oak bark in a pharmacy kiosk. In this case, the drug is ready for use (crushed and dried). Usually on the packaging the manufacturer places and some tips on the preparation of the specified funds. The cost of the facility is quite low. Despite the unique (it should be noted that the medicinal bark of oak has a high medicinal value), the medicinal properties, the price of such a drug is 41 rubles.

In the event that the desire to assemble such a plant ingredient with one's own hand, one can go to the forest. However, before this is worth remembering a few elementary rules. So, the bark of young trees is more useful. It should be collected before the appearance of leaves on the stems of the plant (the best time of the year for this is early spring). The product should be placed in a linen bag for storage.

Treatment of diarrhea

As noted above, people have long noticed the curative properties of tree bark. Not surprisingly, this component has not come into one national tool. Oak bark became widely used by healers in the fight against many ailments.

Recipe № 1. Infusion

Pour boiling water (1 mug) a tablespoon of dried oak bark. Infuse the liquid for an hour, decant. The resulting drug should be used throughout the day for 2 tablespoons.

Recipe № 2. Tincture of oak bark with alcohol

First, you need to grind a teaspoon of bark and pour 400 ml of ordinary vodka. The described preparation is recommended to be prepared in advance (one week before application). Tincture is taken orally 2 times a day (morning and evening) for 20 drops.

Treatment of gums, throat

Note that in the treatment of gingivitis, it is best to use a decoction of oak bark. And here is the recipe: 3 tablespoons dried bark is placed in an enameled container and poured a glass of boiling water. In a water bath, heat the resulting broth for 25 minutes. Filter the prepared medicinal product (squeezing out the bark from the bark) and add hot water, bringing the volume of the composition to 300 ml. This medicine should be stored in a shaded cool place. The period for which the broth should be taken is 2 days. The oral cavity is rinsed with the resulting liquid after every 3 hours.

Infusion of the specified wood material is effective in angina and stomatitis. It should be said that many consumers noted an effective tool such as the bark of oak. Medical properties (reviews about which just enthusiastic) quickly help to cope with the ailments. People emphasize that the remedy has become an excellent alternative to pills. After all, gargling procedures help to reduce pain.

Hair care: staining and regeneration

To date, there are many tools that help improve hair tone and give them vitality. Most of them are based on the extract of oak bark.

The most convenient and simple method is the usual systematic rinsing of the hair with decoction from the bark. This procedure is effective after washing hair. This method allows you to make them stronger and give more volume. In addition to the fact that the color becomes more intense, there is also the prevention of dandruff. Together with some other ingredients useful for health (burdock or linseed oil, mint leaves, honey and plantain), the oak bark can have a more pronounced effect. For example, staining hair with this product will give the best result when adding freshly brewed coffee to the decoction. For lightening light brown hair you can use decoctions from the bark of oak and chamomile.

Treatment of Sweating

In medicine, it has long been known that oak bark helps to effectively combat many ailments of the human body. Including with increased sweating. The most effective means is a decoction, which is lubricated in the morning by feet, armpits or hands.

The recipe for decoction from sweating

5 teaspoons of oak bark, fill it in a small saucepan and pour one liter of water. Bring to a boil on fire, reduce the power of the flame and boil for another 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let it brew for two hours, wrapping the container in a warm towel. The broth should be filtered and placed in a refrigerator. It is in this form it is recommended for use.

In addition to rubbing the feet, hands or axillary cavities, you can apply gauze lotions, applying them to problem areas for half an hour. To fix the effect achieved, the procedure is recommended to be repeated within 30 days.

Application of oak bark in pediatric therapy

Medicinal products from the bark of oak (tinctures and decoctions) are not recommended for use to children under the age of two years. The use of such a remedy in subsequent years should only take place with the permission of the attending physician. If this type of prophylaxis is approved, oak bark should be used in the form of a decoction, which the child will gargle with a sore throat with sore throat.

To treat the problem skin in children, a special place is occupied by washing the child with infusion, the main ingredient of which is the bark of oak. The healing properties of this remedy help to get rid of the signs of sweating. But it is applied only with the permission of a specialist.

Negative impact

However, do not forget that, no matter how good such a preparation, as the bark of oak, medicinal properties, contraindications to the application are sufficiently significant. Let's analyze them:

• Use inside the tincture and the broth is not recommended in the presence of intestinal diseases and hemorrhoids.
• Abuse of such a drug often causes vomiting.
• Uncontrolled prolonged use of broths from oak bark also leads to some negative consequences - diarrhea, bleeding in the intestines and stomach.
• Systematic rinsing of the mouth causes a weakening of the sense of smell.
• Medicines produced on the basis of bark are not recommended for women during pregnancy.
• The oak bark also has a negative effect on young children.

Conclusion

Nature has generously endowed people with a great many different medicinal trees and herbs. Among them is the above-described giant of the forest - oak. Such a tree is not only a decoration of the landscape. Now we know that a lot of diseases are saved by the bark of oak, the medicinal properties of which since ancient times have been used by healers in their healing recipes.