We all associate oak with longevity, strength of mind and health of the body. But this tree is revered not only for its power and beauty, but also for its healing properties, which were noticed in ancient times, and to this day it is used in herbal medicine as an aid in the fight against various pathologies. In addition, in some cases oak leaves and acorns are used. However, the most valuable thing this plant has is its bark, which is included in various medicinal preparations and helps in the treatment of various diseases of the skin and internal organs.
It is important to know that oak bark is officially included in the directory of medicinal plants and is used in official medicine as an antiseptic and astringent. Often oak bark decoctions are used in the treatment of diseases accompanied by diarrhea. However, the use of oak bark is not limited to this alone. This plant is actively used in gynecology for the treatment of various pathologies, dentistry, improving the health of the male body, and solving problems with skin and digestion. And these are not all the areas of application of oak bark in medicine.
Medicinal properties of oak bark
Oak bark has a multifaceted and varied effect on the body. Oak bark contains many unique biologically active compounds that have a positive effect in the human body. Plant materials contain:
- tanning compounds - they have the property of binding proteins, which disrupts the vital activity of pathogenic microflora, thereby suppressing the activity of microbes and the process of their reproduction;
- catechins - these compounds give oak bark antimicrobial properties;
- pentosans - they have an anti-inflammatory effect;
- pectins – help normalize the functioning of the digestive system.
Oak bark contains a lot of flavonoids, proteins, and starch, which stimulates the process of cell and tissue regeneration. They have a healing effect, stimulating the restoration processes of the mucous membranes and reducing irritation and inflammation.
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Contraindications for oak bark
Despite all the beneficial properties of oak bark, it is necessary to use various preparations with it carefully, first excluding all possible contraindications and consulting with your doctor or herbalist. It is prohibited to take infusions, decoctions and other forms of oak bark preparations if you have:
- serious liver damage (hepatitis, cirrhosis, failure);
- severe kidney pathologies (nephritis, end-stage chronic kidney disease);
- external or internal hemorrhoids;
- chronic constipation, megacolon, problems with stool of organic origin;
- allergies to plant components, intolerance to components.
It is also prohibited to continuously take medicinal raw materials for more than 2 weeks or independently increase the dose. If this drug is abused, it is possible to develop extremely serious side effects - nausea with vomiting, loss of smell, disruption of the gallbladder and liver, as well as kidney damage.
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Application of oak bark
Most often, oak bark in herbal medicine is recommended for external use. It is used as a mouth and throat rinse, for lotions or compresses. However, the medicinal effects of oak bark are not limited to topical medications. It can be used internally in the treatment of various diseases, but before starting to take various remedies with oak bark, consultation with your doctor or herbalist is required.
Today oak bark is used for:
- combating pathogenic bacteria and strengthening teeth, gums, reducing swelling of the mucous membranes, eliminating bleeding gums;
- eliminating nausea and vomiting, consolidating stool;
- suppression of inflammatory processes in the intestines and on the skin, mucous membranes in wounds and burns;
- reducing foot sweating;
- enhancing kidney function (has a diuretic effect);
- elimination of helminths;
- stopping minor bleeding and treating wounds and abrasions;
- getting rid of bad breath due to problems with teeth and digestion;
- strengthening the intestinal wall;
- eliminate burning and itching from insect bites;
- treating skin for allergic rashes to prevent secondary infection;
- reducing infectious and inflammatory processes in the female genital area.
Oak bark will help keep your teeth healthy and your smile beautiful. Photo: Pixabay
Official medicine considers the use of oak bark as an adjuvant or preventive drug, but only after consultation with a doctor and after eliminating contraindications.
How to properly use oak bark products
Medicinal and caring products made using oak bark require careful use.
They are best suited for oily and combination skin.
Provided that the moisturizer is well tolerated, occasional use of oak extract in a reduced concentration is allowed, preferably in the form of spot applications .
You can compensate for its drying effect by adding a decoction of St. John's wort, vegetable oils and other moisturizing and nourishing components.
Do not use bark-based products if you have sensitive or dry skin.
Basic rules of application:
1 You must first conduct an allergy test, for which the prepared composition is applied to the inner surface of the elbow or wrist, left for about 15 minutes and washed off. There should be no redness, rash, burning or itching on the treated area.
Otherwise, use of this facial care product is prohibited.
2 If you have dermatological diseases, the possibility of using this product should be discussed with a specialist in advance.
3 The bark contains coloring pigments, so it is sometimes used for skin toning and hair coloring.
If such an effect is not needed, overly saturated solutions should not be used.
4 All products can be applied only after cleansing procedures.
Masks are made at intervals of 1-2 days, not more often. A course course of treatment consisting of 7-12 procedures is recommended.
After a short break, you can repeat the course.
Lotions are suitable for longer use. You can use them daily.
5 Initial raw materials should be collected from young tree branches growing in environmentally friendly areas.
What pathologies can oak bark treat?
This raw material is considered relatively safe for use at home, including in children. It is especially actively used in the treatment of dental and digestive problems. In addition, external oak bark products are widely used in dermatology and cosmetology; a decoction or extract of oak bark is often included in medicinal masks or lotions, including for the face and hair. Among the indications for the use of oak bark in various forms of preparation are:
Recipes at home
Oak bark is most often used in the form of an extract. It can be purchased ready-made or obtained by preparing a decoction, steam or infusion. They are used as independent products or as part of masks, creams, scrubs, and tonics. They are also suitable for some cleansing and cryogenic procedures.
White Oak Bark Extract, Water Soluble
In some products, oak is introduced in powder form. To obtain it, dried bark, purchased at a pharmacy or prepared independently, must be ground in a coffee grinder.
The finished powder is also found in pharmaceutical herbal sachets.
Oak bark decoction
The decoction can be used in various ways. It will suit:
- for morning or evening wash;
- wiping the face;
- applying as a compress to inflamed areas;
- preparation of cosmetic ice or multicomponent care compositions.
Men can use it as a means to improve the growth of mustaches and beards.
To prepare a decoction, just add 2 tbsp. l. raw materials in 0.4 liters of boiling water and keep the mixture on low heat for 30 minutes (you can use a steam bath). The finished broth is carefully filtered, squeezing out the residue, and boiled water is added to restore the original volume.
If your face sweats excessively, you can prepare a milk decoction rather than a water one. The ingredients are mixed in the same proportions and boiled, stirring regularly, for about half an hour. The cooled mixture is filtered and diluted with 50 ml of water. It is used topically in the form of lotions.
Such decoctions do not lose their properties for 2 days if kept in the refrigerator.
Lotion
As a lotion, you can use a water decoction or an alcohol tincture.
The first option is more suitable for sensitive skin prone to drying out. For oily skin with a predisposition to irritation and frequent inflammation, it is better to use an alcohol extract.
You can use store-bought lotion.
To make it at home, the herbal raw materials are infused with vodka 40% (1 tsp per 200 g). If alcohol is used, then you need to take 2 times less of it, and dilute the finished tincture by half with water.
The mixture is kept for 2 weeks in a dark place, shaking daily for better extraction, then passed through a filter. Store the lotion in a tightly sealed container. It must be used within 6 months.
The lotion prepared according to this recipe works well against acne, pimples and small ulcers. If desired, the recipe can be supplemented with other ingredients.
You can use another recipe:
- 1 tbsp. l. crushed bark is poured into 0.2 liters of boiling water and kept in a water bath for 40 minutes.
- The liquid is cooled and filtered.
- You need to add 1 tbsp to it. l. alcohol and grapefruit juice and increase the volume to 250 ml, adding the required amount of chilled boiled water.
This lotion is used in the evening; it is needed to tighten pores and treat quickly oily areas of the skin.
To normalize the functioning of the skin glands, the following composition is used as a lotion:
- 1 tbsp. l. oak decoction;
- 2 tbsp. l. decoction of willow leaves;
- 0.5 tsp. apple cider vinegar;
- 200 ml water.
It refreshes, tones, closes enlarged pores, removes oily shine, and reduces sweating.
Oak bark infusion
To obtain an aqueous infusion, the raw materials need to be finely crushed, measure out 1 tbsp. l., pour into a thermal mug and pour boiling water (200 ml).
You can use any other container with a lid, wrapping it in a blanket or a towel folded in several layers.
You need to infuse the composition for at least 2 hours, you can leave it overnight, then filter.
Its properties, application and storage features are the same as those of the decoction. Due to the lack of long heat treatment, the infusion contains more active components.
Acne mask
To prepare the mask, you need to mix oak powder and calendula flowers in equal parts, measure 2 tbsp. l. mixture and brew it with 200 g of boiling water.
When the composition becomes warm, the liquid is drained, and the remainder is applied to problem areas and covered with gauze.
After complete cooling, the mask is washed off.
Acne mask
This remedy is prepared in the same way as the previous one, but instead of calendula, linden blossom is used, and a few drops of lemon juice are added to the thickener.
This mask helps not only with acne, but also with small ulcers and subcutaneous boils.
Anti-inflammatory mask
The base of the mask is whipped egg white.
They add to it
- 1 tbsp. l. oak infusion,
- the same amount of crushed aloe pulp
- and 2-3 drops of lemon or grapefruit essential oil.
The mass is mixed well and applied to the inflamed areas for 15 minutes.
Oak bark and clay mask
A little blue or white clay should be diluted with oak decoction to a creamy consistency and add 3 drops of tea tree oil.
This composition is suitable for cleansing and drying oily, inflamed skin. Action time: no more than 15 minutes. The mask should be used weekly for 1-2 months.
To enhance the effect of an oak bark face mask, you can resort to preliminary steaming of the skin. To do this, use a herbal decoction or a heated towel, or apply the product immediately after taking a hot bath.
Mask with oak bark and St. John's wort
To prepare the decoction you will need:
- 10 g oak raw materials;
- 10 g St. John's wort herb;
- 100 ml boiling water.
The mixture is infused for half an hour and filtered. The broth is mixed with warm mashed potatoes. The mass is applied to the inflamed areas and washed off after 20 minutes.
Oak bark and honey mask
This product is suitable for tired and aging skin. Under its influence, unevenness is smoothed out, elasticity improves, tone increases, and a healthy color appears.
The basis of this mask is a few spoons of oak decoction or infusion. It is combined with the same amount of buckwheat flour or ground oatmeal.
Add 1 tsp to the resulting mass. liquid honey and apricot or grape seed oil. If necessary, the mixture is slightly diluted with decoction.
If your skin is oily, you can add a few drops of lemon juice to the recipe. If you are allergic to honey, replace it with cream.
The mask is applied for 15-20 minutes, the residue is removed with a napkin, then washed with warm water.
Rejuvenating cocktail
You need to combine oak infusion, calamus decoction and cucumber juice taken in equal proportions.
This cocktail is used in the form of compresses or wiped on the face. It tones, relieves fatigue, eliminates swelling, evens out wrinkles, and promotes rejuvenation of epidermal cells.
