White Oak Bark

Benefits:

White oak bark is rich in tannins, which give it bitter and astringent qualities. It may have an astringent effect on tissues.

Oak bark (Quercus alba) comes from trees of the Fagaceae family, typically white oak varieties native to North America.

It’s derived from the inner bark and round growths known as galls that form on the tree.

Oak bark can be dried and ground into a powder for topical and oral use, and it has been used for medicinal purposes throughout history(1).

Topical applications are thought to suppress inflammation and soothe itchy skin, while oak bark tea is used to help treat diarrhea, the common cold, sore throats, bronchitis, loss of appetite, and arthritis.

A variety of naturally occurring compounds in oak bark, especially tannins, are thought to be responsible for its claimed medicinal properties (2).

Oak bark may contain up to 20% tannins depending on the type and time of harvesting (5Trusted Source).

Tannins act as astringents, or agents that bind to proteins in the skin to constrict body tissues, therefore tightening pores and drying out irritated areas.

In particular, the tannins in oak bark have been shown to inhibit the release of inflammatory compounds. They may also exhibit antibacterial properties by binding with proteins involved in bacterial growth (3, 4).

These specific properties of tannins are responsible for the possible topical uses of oak bark in treating skin irritation and wounds.

Hemorrhoids, or swollen veins around the anal area, are sometimes treated by bathing in water mixed with oak bark powder to dry out sores (5).

Ingredients: White oak stem inner bark.

Recommended Use: Take 2 capsules with a meal three times daily.