The efficacy and function of oak bark

The Chinese medicinal oak bark is already very familiar to most people. But in fact, not many people understand the effects and functions of the traditional Chinese medicine oak bark, so let’s talk about it below.

[Alias] Gu Nu, Na Ge Yu (New Book of Moldy Diseases).

[Source] It is the bark of the oak tree of the Caryophyllaceae family.

[Original form] Oak (Bencao Shiyi), also known as: chisel wood (Compendium of Materia Medica), chisel head wood (Bencao Qiuyuan), red lemon, oak (Cao Mu Bian Fang), lemon tree (Classification of Herbal Properties), gourd thorn, thorn chisel, lemon banyan, sheep Zhi wood, mouse wood, wild cotton.

[Habitat distribution] Grown in plains, hilly areas or sparse woods at the foot of hills. Distributed in southern, central, western and eastern my country.

【Nature and flavor】 Bitter, sour, cool.

【Functions and indications】 Drying dampness and removing heat. Treat jaundice, scrofula, and ulcers.

[Usage and Dosage] Decoction, 2 to 3 qian; or grind into powder.

【Note】 Pregnant women should not take this medicine.

[Additional prescription] ① Treating rat fistula: 5 liters of oak bark. Take one dou of water and boil it into two liters of juice to drink. (Outer Stage)

【Discussions by various scholars】 "Compendium of Materia Medica": "Oak bark is used to treat jaundice. Jaundice is caused by dampness and heat stagnating in the stomach and intestines. The bitterness of this medicine can dry out dampness, and its slight coldness can remove heat. It also has the property of moving downward and benefiting the orifices. The dampness and heat will all be expelled from the urine and the jaundice will subside. Nowadays, it is also considered the main medicine for treating dystocia and inducing labor, also because of its nature of moving downward and benefiting the orifices. It is used together with fish maw, ginseng, Qianlima, Baicao Shuang, Achyranthes bidentata, Angelica dahurica, Chinese angelica, and Leonurus japonicus as a medicine for inducing labor."

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

[Source] From "Supplement to Compendium of Materia Medica".

The effects and functions of oak bark have been described in detail above, and I believe everyone has a certain understanding of it. Whether oak bark has other therapeutic effects still requires further research.