White Oak
Botanical Description & Habitat
Quercus alba
Family
Culupiferae
Common names
Stone oak
Habitat
Native of North America and England. It is a perennial tree which prefers moist ground.
Description
White oak may reach 150 feet in height, and has thick, pale, brown-gray bark. The leaves are oval, deeply pinnatifid, with a light green upper surface and prominent veins on the underside. Male and female flowers grow on the same plant. The fruit is a white, one-seeded nut or acorn.
Medicinal parts
Bark, dried
Historical Properties & Uses
White oak bark has been used for hundreds of years as a source of tannic acid. It is an effective astringent, mouthwash, douche, enema, and styptic. White oak is beneficial in the treatment of hemorrhoids, menstrual problems, diarrhea, stomach problems, varicose veins, and internal hemorrhage.
Oak bark has approval status by the German Commission E for external and internal uses.
Externally it is used for inflammatory skin diseases.
Internally it is used for diarrhea and inflammation of the oral and genital areas.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Method of Action
There is presently insufficient data on this subject.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
The German Commission E also notes the possibility for the absorption of alkaloids and other alkaline drugs e.g. procaine to be reduced, or inhibited, by White oak bark.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The toxicity level of white oak has not been determined at this time.
Oak bark has approval status by the German Commission E.
The German Commission E recommends a limited duration for the use of this herb of not more than 2 -3 weeks.
If there is diarrhea for more than 3 - 4 days, a physician should be consulted.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Dried inner bark
1-2 grams
Tea
made from 1/2 tsp dried inner bark
Fluid extract
1:1 in 25% alcohol, 1-2 ml
This herb has approval status by the German Commission E.
Recommended daily dosages in Germany are as follows:
Internal:
3 g of the herb.
20 g per 1 liter for rinses or compresses.
External: 5 g per liter for a bath.
The German Commission E recommends a limited duration for the use of this herb of not more than 2 -3 weeks.
If there is diarrhea for more than 3 - 4 days, a physician should be consulted.
References:
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Blumenthal, M (Ed.): The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. American Botanical Council. Austin, TX. 1998.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hyde, F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Brit Herb Med Assoc: England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila (St. Louis).
Lewis, Walter H. and Elvin-Lewis, Memory P.F. Medical Botany: Plants Affecting Man's Health, John Wiley and Sons. New York, l977.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
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