PDR for Herbal Medicines

S50/OAK

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/bronchitis


• Diarrhea


• Inflammation of the mouth and pharynx


• Inflammation of the skin
  Unproven Uses: Oak is used internally for non-specific
  diarrhea. In smaller doses it is used as a stomach tonic. The
  drug is used externally for inflammatory skin diseases,
  inflammation of the mouth and throat as well as the genital
  and anal area, suppurating eczema, hyperhydrosis, intertrigo
  and as an adjuvant treatment of chilblains.

Oak is also used in folk medicine internally for hemorrhagic

stool, non-menstrual uterine bleeding, hemoptysis and chron-

ic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. External uses

include hemorrhoid bleeding, varicose veins, uterine bleed-

ing, vaginal discharge (washes/douches), rashes, chronic,

itching, scaley and suppurating eczema and eye

inflammations.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Whole-body baths are contraindicated with large-area weep-

ing eczemas and skin injuries, with feverish and infectious

illnesses, with cardiac insufficiency in stages III and IV

(NYHA) and with hypertonia in stage IV (WHO).

PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS

General: No health hazards or side effects are known in

conjunction with the proper administration of designated

therapeutic dosages. Internal administration could lead to

digestive complaints because of the secretion-inhibiting

effect of the tannins.

Drug-Interactions: The absorption of alkaloids and other

alkaline Tmigs* may bejreduced or inhibited.

DOSAGE

Mode of Administration: Oak is available as whole, crude

and powdered drug form, as a bath additive and in

compounded preparations. It is also available in solid

pharmaceutical form for oral intake.

Preparation:

Tea — 1 gm finely cut or coarse powdered drug is put in

cold water, rapidly boiled and strained after some time (1

teaspoon corresponds to 3 gm drug).

Bath additive — 5 gm drug is boiled with 1 Liter water and

added to the full or hip bath.

Daily Dosage:
Internally — 3 gm of drug; Tea: 1 cup 3 times a day.

Externally — Rinses/gargles: boil 2 dessertspoons finely cut
drug with 3 cups water.

PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Bath additive — duration: 20 minutes at 32 to 37° C.

Storage: Should be tightly sealed and protected from light

LITERATURE

Ahn BZ et al., Arch Pharm 304:666. 1971.

Glasl H, DAZ 123:1979. 1983.

Konig M et al., Ellegitannins and complex tannins from

Quercus petraea bark. In: JNP 57(10):1411-1415. 1994.

Pallenbach E, Scholz E, Konig M, Rimpler H,

Proanthocyanidins from Quercus petraea bark. In: PM

59(3):264. 1993.

Scalbert A et al., PH 27:3483. 1988.

Willuhn G, Pflanzliche Dermatika. Eine kritische Ubersicht. In:

DAZ 132(37): 1873. 1992.

Further information in:

Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Hrsg.), Hagers

Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl, Bde 4-6

(Drdgen): Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-

1994.

Madaus G, Lehrbuch der Biologischen Arzneimittel, Bde. 1-3,

Nachdruck, Georg Olms Verlag Hildesheim 1979.

Roth L, Daunderer M, Kormann K, Giftpflanzen, Pflanzengifte,

4. Aufl., Ecomed Fachverlag Landsberg Lech 1993.
   Schulz R, Hansel R, Rationale Phytotherapie, Springer Verlag
   Heidelberg 1996.
   Steinegger E, Hansel R, Pharmakognosie, 5. Aufl., Springer
   Verlag Heidelberg 1992.
   Teuscher E, Biogene Arzneimittel, 5. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.
   Wagner H, Wiesenauer M, Phytotherapie. Phytopharmaka und
   pflanzliche Homoopathika, Fischer-Verlag, Stuttgart, Jena, New
   York 1995. -
   Wichtl M (Hrsg.), Teedrogen, 4. Aufl., Wiss. Verlagsges.
   Stuttgart 1997.

Oak Gall

Quercus infectoria

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal part of the plant is the leaf.

Flower and Fruit: The male flowers are tangled into

hanging, axillary cadcins, with a 6- to 8-tepaled perigone and

6 to 10 stamens. The female sessile flowers are single or in

small groups in the leaf axils of dropping stipules. The

perigone is 6-tipped with an inferior 3-chambered ovary

surrounded by an initially inconspicuous and then later cup-

shaped cupula. The fruit is up to 4 cm long, cylindrical,

shiny brown and is 3 times longer than the cupula, which is

covered with narrow scales.