In many European countries and on the lands of modern Russian territory, oak has long been considered a sacred tree. Only persons who were initiated into the mysteries of mystical knowledge could allow outsiders to use parts of this plant for medicinal purposes. Today, the beneficial substances of wood have become available to everyone. So, oak bark, whose medicinal properties have long been valued, has become widely used as a healing agent in the fight against many ailments. Not without its use in cosmetology, wellness medicine and even cooking.
The personification of longevity
As already mentioned, oak is not just a tree. It is often compared with great power and eternity. This is evidenced even by such a common phrase as "centenary oak." Many people are surprised at this tree with its average growth period of 400 years. Oak and the healing properties of oak bark have always been of keen interest. Indeed, 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. Growth up occurs up to 150 years, but the increase in thickness goes on throughout life.
Healing through oak bark
Given the importance of this tree in past centuries, it is easy to guess how revered it was among our ancestors. Oak bark and its medicinal properties are often used for medical purposes. However, over time, this part of the plant has not lost its popularity. Today, oak bark is also widely used in traditional medicine. The healing properties are used in pharmacology. For example, it is added to many drugs, while folk doctors recommend using the described product in infusions, decoctions and ointments.
Oak bark is the most effective tool in the fight against various diseases of the mucous membrane, skin, larynx and oral cavity. It has a healing effect on burns, eliminates sweating syndrome, fights against diarrhea, helps with frostbite, and even cures some female diseases. Let's try to understand in more detail how such a tool copes with ailments. To do this, you need to study the composition of the tree bark.
The composition of oak bark
It is able to actively suppress various inflammatory reactions and the work of microorganisms. Tannin, which is present in the bark (and also found in
tannins ), can easily cope with irritation of the oral mucosa. The above enzyme is able to relieve pain and inflammation. Oak bark contains sugars, pentonases, flavonoids, pectins, gallic and
ellagic acids, carotene and starch in sufficient quantities. Oak bark abounds with a whole spectrum of components with antibacterial action. The beneficial
properties of tannic
substances found in the specified wood material, perfectly interact with protein fibers. They form a protective layer that saves the skin from irritation.
Basic properties
Truly great for such a remedy as oak bark, healing properties. Application (contraindications will be described below) this substance has been found in many branches of medicine. We will analyze the main ones.
- The tool helps to significantly improve the condition of loose teeth, strengthening them in the gum pockets.
- Reduces sweating feet.
- Protects the gums from bleeding.
- It helps to combat the chronic manifestation of diarrhea, stomach bleeding, hemorrhoids, gastritis, stomach ulcers, with stomatitis, gingivitis, tonsillitis, etc.
- Kills odor in the oral cavity.
- Oak bark has a detrimental effect on bacteria, improves the condition of the sore throat. In order to achieve this effect, you should independently prepare an infusion according to the following recipe: ground oak bark (1 tablespoon) mixed with 400 ml of ordinary vodka. The solution must be infused for 7 days. Before rinsing, the tincture must be diluted with water at room temperature.
Healing properties
Due to its healing effect, oak bark is actively used to combat many ailments. The healing properties are used in the following cases:
- With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, dysentery, hemorrhoidal bleeding. Apply orally. The action is based on the astringent qualities of this plant element.
- Oak bark is used to 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. Method of application - rinse.
- It is actively used as a remedy for wounds, burns, inflammatory processes of the skin. The bark is effective in the form of lotions.
- This part of the oak is used in gynecology for the prevention of vaginitis, colpitis and uterine neck erosion.
- Used as a restorative medicine for hair, helps get rid of seborrhea.
Where to get oak bark?
In order to acquire such a drug, no special skills are required. The easiest way is to buy oak bark at a drugstore. In this case, the drug is already ready for use (crushed and dried). Typically, the manufacturer places on the packaging some tips for preparing the agreed product. The cost of the tool is quite low. Despite the unique (it should be noted that the pharmacy oak bark also has high healing) medicinal properties, the price of such a drug is 41 rubles.
In the event that the desire to collect such a plant ingredient is great, you can go to the forest. However, before this it is worth remembering a few elementary rules. So, the bark of young trees is more useful. It should be collected before the leaves appear on the stems of the plant (the best time of year for this is early spring). The product should be placed in a linen bag for storage.
Diarrhea treatment
As noted above, people have long noticed the healing power of tree bark. It is not surprising that this component was not included in one folk remedy. Oak bark has become widely used by healers in the fight against many ailments.
Recipe number 1. Infusion
Pour boiling water (1 cup) a tablespoon of dried oak bark. We infuse the liquid for an hour, drain. The resulting drug must be used throughout the day for 2 tablespoons.
Recipe number 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 tool is recommended to be prepared in advance (a week before use). Tincture is taken orally 2 times a day (morning and evening) for 20 drops.
Gum and throat treatment
Note that in the treatment of gingivitis, it is best to use a decoction of oak bark. And here’s the recipe itself: 3 tablespoons of dried bark are placed in an enamel container and pour a glass of boiling water. In a water bath we heat the resulting broth for 25 minutes. We filter the prepared medicinal product (squeezing thick 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. Rinse the mouth with the resulting fluid every 3 hours.
The infusion of the specified wood material is effective for sore throat and stomatitis. It should be said that many consumers have noted an effective remedy such as oak bark. The healing properties (reviews of which are simply enthusiastic) quickly help to cope with ailments. People emphasize that the tool has become a great alternative to pills. After all, rinsing procedures help reduce pain.
Hair Care: Dyeing and Restoring
Today, there are a lot of tools that help improve hair tone and give them vitality. Most of them are based on oak bark extract.
The most convenient and simple way is the usual systematic rinsing of hair with a decoction from the bark. This procedure is effective after washing the hair. This method allows you to make them stronger and give more volume. In addition to the fact that the color becomes more saturated, dandruff is also prevented. Together with some other healthy hair ingredients (burdock or linseed oil, mint leaves, honey and plantain), oak bark can have a more pronounced effect. For example, dyeing hair with this tool will give the best result when adding freshly brewed natural coffee to the broth. To lighten brown hair, you can use decoctions of oak bark and chamomile.
Hyperhidrosis treatment
In medicine, it has long been known that oak bark helps to effectively deal with many ailments of the human body. Including with excessive sweating. The most effective means is a decoction, which is lubricated in the morning with feet, armpits or hands.
Sweat broth recipe
5 teaspoons of oak bark to fill in a small saucepan and pour one liter of water. Bring to a boil over a fire, reduce the flame power and boil for another 30 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the broth stand for two hours, wrapping the container in a warm towel. The broth should be filtered and placed in the refrigerator. It is in this form that it is recommended for use.
In addition to rubbing the feet, hands or armpits, you can use lotions from gauze, applying them to problem areas for half an hour. To consolidate the achieved effect, the procedure is recommended to be repeated within 30 days.
The use of oak bark in pediatric therapy
Medicines from oak bark (tinctures and decoctions) are not recommended for use by children under two years of age. The use of such a drug in subsequent years should occur only with the permission of the attending physician. If this type of prevention is agreed, oak bark should be used in the form of a decoction, with which the child will gargle the sore throat with angina.
For the treatment of problem skin in children, a special place is taken by washing the child with infusion, the main ingredient of which is oak bark. The healing properties of such a remedy help get rid of signs of prickly heat. But it is used only with the permission of a specialist.
Negative impact
However, do not forget that no matter how good a drug such as oak bark, its medicinal properties, contraindications for use are quite significant. Let's analyze them:
- Apply tincture and decoction inside is not recommended in the presence of intestinal diseases and hemorrhoids.
- The abuse of such a remedy often causes vomiting.
- Uncontrolled prolonged use of decoctions of oak bark also leads to some negative consequences - diarrhea, bleeding in the intestines and stomach.
- Systematic rinsing of the oral cavity provokes a weakening of smell.
- Medicines made on the basis of bark are not recommended for women during pregnancy.
- Oak bark also has a negative effect on young children.
Conclusion
Nature generously endowed people with a great many different healing trees and herbs. Among them is the giant forest described above - oak. Such a tree is not only a decoration of the landscape. Now we know that the oak bark relieves of many ailments, the healing properties of which since ancient times have been used by healers in their healing recipes.