botanical name(s): Quercus alba, Quercus robur
synonyms: oak, eicherinde, chene, gravelier, enema
part(s) used: bark
qualities:
affinities: intestines
actions: slightly tonic, strongly astringent, antiseptic
dosage:
» powder: 200 - 800 mg.
» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.
therapy: chronic diarrhea, dysentery
AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2d
toxicity: 1; see tannic acid/tannin toxidrome
» contraindicated in externally on skin damage over a large area due to absorption of tannins (Wichtl)
» Full baths containing a significant amount of the tea are contraindicated in: weeping eczema; skin damage over a large area; febrile and infectious disorders; cardiac insufficiency stages III and IV; hypertonia stage IV (McGuffin)
» may cause changes in lactation; milk may become ill-flavored and reduced in its nutritional quality (Muenscher, p. 19)
constituents: tannins: phlobatannin, ellagitannins and gallic acid
drug interactions:
» alkaloids and other basic drugs may have reduced absorption due to precipitation by the tannins (Brinker, De Smet, Wichtl, Ruddiman)
footnotes
Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.
De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag
McGuffin, Michael, ed. 1997. American Herbal Products Associations Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: The CRC Press.
Muenscher, W.C. 1951. Poisonous Plants of the United States. New York: The MacMillan Company.
Ruddiman EA. 1925. Incompatibilities in Prescriptions. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Wichtl M (ed.). 1994. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.