Oak

Quercus robur L. (Quercus pedunculata Ehrh.) – Pedunculate oak
Quercus sessilis Ehrh. (Quercus sessiliflora Slisb.) – Sessile oak
Fagaceae family
The raw material is the bark of young trunks and branches, harvested in the spring before leaves develop, dried in the shade, in max. 35° C.

Oak – appearance and origin:

The raw material is sourced from 2 species of oak: the pedunculate oak and the sessile oak. These species are common in temperate zones, in Europe and North America. They are also common in Poland, often creating dense forests, "dąbrowy" in Polish, in lowlands and mountains up to 700 m above sea level.

Robust, irregular corwn. Obovate leaves, 15 cm in length, 8 cm in width. Dioecious flowers. Has both staminate flowers, collected into catkins, as well as female flowers on stipules longer than petioles. Blooms in April and May. The bark resembles tubes or channels. Outer surface is smooth, silvery-gray or brown and shiny. Yellow-brown, matte inside. Lenticels are visible on the outer surface. Strongly astringent, slightly bitter taste.

Oak – effects and use:

Oak bark has astringent properties. It is used mainly externally for inflammations of: skin, oral and pharyngeal mucosa, around reproductive organs and anus; for excessive perspiration of hands and feet, sometimes internally for diarrhea. Oak bark extracts inhibit the growth of viruses.