Description
White Oak Bark is a powerful astringent that has been used for centuries to control diarrhea, internal and external bleeding, excessive menstrual flow, nosebleeds and hemorrhoids. It is also a potent antiseptic that has helped to control bacterial invasion and infection and has been employed to relieve vaginal and bladder infections, among others. White Oak Bark's anthelmintic qualities help to destroy and expel parasites and intestinal worms. Beneficial Uses: White Oak Bark (the inner bark) is a powerful herbal astringent. Its tannin content has made it one of the most potent treatments that has been used internally and externally for centuries to control bleeding and relieve diarrhea, hemorrhoids, vaginal discharge, vomiting, nosebleeds, womb troubles and dysentery. The astringency helps to stop internal bleeding and can be effective in cases of excessive menstrual flow and hemorrhages, including hemorrhaging of the lungs, bowels, stomach and spitting of blood. As a diuretic that increases the flow of urine, White Oak Bark helps to expel mucous discharge, flush out kidney stones and gallstones, and improve the health of the bladder. It is also said to be helpful for ulcerated bladder or bloody urine. Moreover, White Oak is believed to normalize the function of the kidney, liver and spleen and has been used to relieve jaundice and other liver ailments. White Oak Bark is considered a strong antiseptic. The tannins bind with protein in the tissues, making them impermeable to bacterial invasion and infection, and this action has been very helpful for treating a wide variety of infections, such as vaginal infections (including vaginitis and leukorrhœa), gleet (urethritis), bladder infection, chancre (canker) sores and venereal diseases. Its diuretic properties enhance many of these applications. White Oak Bark is considered an anthelmintic. The phenolic nature of the tannin complex acts as an l antiseptic and parasiticide, or agent that destroys and expels worms (including pinworms) and other parasites from the intestinal tract. When used externally, White Oak Bark's astringency is considered a hemostatic, or substance that helps to stop bleeding. The tannins also protect injured tissues by precipitating their proteins to form anl antiseptic, protective coat under which regeneration of new tissues may take place, and this has been useful as a topical antiseptic for treating burns, wounds, bee stings, skin abrasions and bleeding or infected mouth sores. White Oak Bark's astringents are utilized in topical medicines to relieve flabby ulcers, in douches for vaginal and cervical discharges and in washes for hemorrhoids. Further supporting White Oak's astringent qualities, it is said to help relieve goiter and swelling of the neck and varicose veins. It is also thought to reduce swelling and hard tumors when applied topically.
