The healing properties of oak bark

Oak always evokes associations with good health and longevity. This is actually so - the life span of this tree is approximately four hundred years. The bark of this tree is prized for its healing properties. It is used to improve health and preserve youth.

Properties of oak bark

It is not surprising that this wonderful plant was revered by our ancestors, and its bark was used quite widely in healing. Even now, oak bark is often used in recipes for both folk and traditional medicine.

Most often, the bark of this tree is used to heal diseases of the epidermis, mucous membranes of the mouth. Preparations based on oak bark successfully cope with burns, eliminate excessive sweating, help cure diarrhea, some gynecological diseases and frostbite.

Oak bark contains a large percentage of tannins, which form a kind of protective barrier on the skin surface and prevent irritation. The same substances are able to effectively cope with pathogenic microflora. In addition to the tannin components, flavonoids, starch and pectin are also included in the oak bark.

The healing qualities of the bark are fully manifested when:

• Healing from dysentery, gastrointestinal diseases and hemorrhoidal bleeding as an astringent.
• Diseases of the oral cavity, to eliminate sore throat and bad breath.
• Skin wounds, burns and other injuries.
• High sweating in the form of trays.
• Treatment of gynecological diseases.
• Seborrhea, to improve the condition of the hair and restore the strength of the curls.

Application of oak bark

A variety of products are made from the crushed bark of an age-old tree. It is a component of ointments, decoctions, infusions and tinctures. The drugs can be used both internally and externally. For example, for the healing of burns, lotions are made on a concentrated broth. The same broth is used for high sweating of the extremities for medicinal baths.

Oak broth helps to eliminate bad odor from the oral cavity and treats some dental diseases, for example, gingivitis, stomatitis, flux, periodontal disease. This is possible due to the excellent astringent properties of the substance.

To eliminate prolonged uterine bleeding, an aqueous infusion of crushed bark is used. To prepare it, pour half a small spoonful of dry raw materials with cool water (2 cups) and leave overnight. Then the infusion is filtered off and 200 ml of red wine is added. The resulting product is drunk in the morning and evening by a glass.

To eliminate colpitis, erosion, vulvovaginitis and leucorrhoea, douching with a decoction of pieces of bark is used. Previously, the agent is cooled to a warm state. For the prevention of bedsores, oak broth is used as a hygiene product for wiping bedridden patients.

To relieve pain in the throat and to heal from sore throat, rinse the throat with an infusion of crushed raw materials. For cooking, pour boiling water (1 glass) 2 large tablespoons of ground dry bark and leave for half an hour.

To deal with hair loss and improve the condition of the hair, use an infusion of oak bark and onion peel. The dry components are mixed in equal proportions and one glass is measured. Pour in a liter of boiling water and leave to infuse for one hour. Then it is filtered and rubbed into the epidermis of the head. This procedure is done after washing your hair. It greatly strengthens the hair follicles, reduces the number of lost hairs and activates the growth of new ones.

If this infusion is used as a mask before washing your hair, then you can cope with dandruff... The product is rubbed into the epidermis of the head, as in the previous recipe. Then a polyethylene cap is put on the curls and insulated. After an hour, you can wash your hair in the usual way.

How to brew oak bark

Usually, crushed bark is used for external treatment. In this case, the method of preparing the broth differs depending on what kind of disease needs to be cured. Traditionally, the broth is made from one large spoonful of raw materials, which is filled with boiling water in the amount of 2 glasses. This mixture is boiled over low heat for 10 minutes, and then left to brew for half an hour. Before using the broth, it must be filtered.

For foot baths, the broth is prepared in a different way. To do this, take a package of bark containing 200 g of raw materials, pour it into a container and pour 2 liters of boiled water there. For a quarter of an hour, the product is boiled over low heat, and then it is left to brew for 3 hours and drained. The resulting broth of high concentration is diluted in half with water and used for the bath.

In some cases, a tincture of pieces of oak bark in alcohol is used. For its preparation, mix a tablespoon of crushed raw materials and 300 ml of vodka. The mixture is placed in a dark glass container and kept in a dark place for a week.

To eliminate problems with the gums and stop inflammation in the mouth, the broth is prepared using a water bath. To do this, take 3 large spoons of pieces of bark and pour in 200 ml of boiling water. The raw materials are placed in a water bath and simmer for 25 minutes. Before use, such a broth is cooled, filtered and the amount is brought to 300 ml with boiled water.

Oak bark contraindications

Despite all the advantages of this remedy, not everyone can use oak bark products. There are few obstacles to the use of decoction, infusion and other dosage forms with oak bark:

• Allergic reaction to the components of oak bark and individual intolerance.
• Chronic constipation.
• During pregnancy and breastfeeding products with oak bark should be used very carefully and only on the advice of a doctor.

Although oak bark is considered a fairly safe remedy, you should not increase the dosage of drugs and abuse the treatment. This can provoke bouts of nausea and even vomiting. Do not use the oak bark treatment for more than 2 weeks.

Oak bark for children

For infants, a decoction using oak bark can only be used for external use. For example, to eliminate prickly heat, the broth is added to the baby's bath. It is impossible to give a child inside a product using bark, since the baby's body does not tolerate the effects of a high concentration of tanning and astringent components.

For oral use, preparations with this drug can be given only from the age of two. For example, with the help of a decoction, you can relieve a child of diarrhea. In this case, the broth is prepared according to a special recipe. It must be brewed in a thermos, mixing chamomile flowers and ground bark, taken in a small spoon with half a liter of boiling water. When the broth has cooled to room temperature, it is used to give the child an enema.