Oak

(Quercus robur, Quercus pedunculata, Quercus petraea, Quercus sessiliflora)

In Germany the Oak tree is the king of the trees. One reason for this is the durable wood and the long life oth the Oak.

The acorns that ripen in autumn taste bitter, but through washing very intensive the bitter essences disapear and the dried acorns can be used as flower what helped a lot in hungry times. The acorns can also be used as coffee substitute.

The bark of the young branches of the Oak are very astringent, what makes them a good remedy against bleeding and inflammation. It is mainly used externally as a bath or a poultice.

Medicinal Uses

Eczemas
Bad healing wounds
Diarrhea
Astringent
Antibacterial
Stops bleeding
Inflammation-inhibitory
Sore throat
Mouth inflammations
Diarrhea
Gastritis
Gastric ulcers
Diabetes
Haemorrhoids
Blood sugar sinking
Cystitises
Eczemas
Athlete's foot
Frostbites
Varicose veins
Furuncle
Gum bleeding
Burns
Ulcers
Cuts
Inflamation of the eyelid (blepharitis)
Sweaty feet

Information

Used Parts:	Bark
Substances:	Tannic essence, Tannic acid, Quercetin, Bitter essence
Time to collect:	March until May

Methods

The bark of the young branches of the Oak is used as a medical remedy.

It is full of tannic essence, that makes the Oak bark strong astringent.

Oak can be used as tea externally and internally.

Tea

To prepare an Oak decoction (tea) pour one cup of cold water over one or two spoonful of Oak bark. Heat the water with the bark and boil it for five minutes.

Than filter the tea and drink it slowly or use it externally.

Internal use

Oak bark can be used internally against diarrhea and inflammations of the digestive system.

It also helps against stomach ulcers.

You can use Oak also to ally inflammations of the mouth and the gums.

External use

Oak tea can be used external as poultice, in washings or as bath.

This can help against eczemas and ulcers.

In baths it can help to shrink haemorrhoids and furuncles.

Kitchen

In bad times, people ate the acorns of the Oak as flower or coffee substitute.

To use them as flower the bitter essences need to be washed out before.

Plant description

Oak is at home in temperate climates of the northern hemisphere.

You can find Oak trees in mixed forests together with other kinds of trees.

The Oak can become up to 40 meters high.

It is a tree, that can become up to 800 years old. In some cases there are Oaks, that are more than 1000 years old.

The stem of the Oak can become up three meters in diameter.

The bark of the young shouts is plain, later it becomes deeply wrinkled.

The leaves are lobed and become up to 15 cm long. They are glossy and thick. Their colour is dark green at the topside. The underside is light green.

From april to may the flowers are blossoming. They are green and tiny, hanging in panicles.

The acorns (seeds) are ripening in autumn. They taste bitter, but they are loved a lot by pigs, that like to eat nourishing fruits of the Oak.

Translation note
As English is not my native language, some words may not be translated properly.
Please feel free to send me any corrections.
Thank you Eva