By Rebecca Potter
When was the last time you gazed up at the mighty oak tree and thought, “I wonder what medicinal properties the bark has?” Most likely you haven’t had this exact thought, but maybe now is the time to expand your knowledge of this herb and include it in your own collection.
Do you have 500 pounds of anything in your emergency preparedness kit? Well the Native American Indians did – each family would gather 500 pounds of white oak bark per year! Talk about being prepared! Native American children used to play a game of tag where touching the oak tree was “safe”. In their culture, the oak tree was as a symbol of strength with many supernatural powers. And surely you are familiar with the phrase “knock on wood,” said to have its origins in Native American culture. Today we knock on wood to ensure safety against a “jinx”, so perhaps those magical powers are still at work somehow.
While you don’t need 500 pounds of white oak bark, having a little on hand for common ailments is a very good idea. The American Indians knew that white oak bark is one of our best astringents as well as a wonderful natural toothpaste, tooth and gum remedy, and helpful for diarrhea and asthma. In the US, you’ll find this beautiful tree growing mainly in the east.
It is a fabulous companion for teeth since it greatly helps with pain or inflammation, tightens and strengthens teeth, capillaries and blood vessels, and treats bleeding in the mouth or ulcerated gums. At the same time, you’re giving your teeth and gums a healthy dose of zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorus, potassium, and vitamin B12, something normal toothpaste can’t do.
Looking for an effective natural treatment for varicose veins? Make yourself a strong white oak bark tea, simmering it gently until it reduces by ¾. Soak 100% cotton knee high socks (toe cut out) in the tea and wear them all night every night until you see results. You can cover the socks with plastic wrap to keep in the heat and moisture. Drinking the tea is also very helpful.
And for you organic and natural skin care users, you know any astringent herb is your pores’ best friend. Yes, it’s true, white oak bark can be used on the skin to remove oil, tighten those tissues, and even help treat itchy skin conditions that arise.
Because it is such a wonderful anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and diuretic, white oak bark is very helpful for hemorrhoids, gallstones, kidney stones, fever, wounds, sore throat, canker sores, menstrual problems, burns, bleeding, inflammations, boils, and infections.
One of your children comes to you with a nosebleed…what do you do? Pull out your white oak bark so its astringent action can tighten up those vessels quickly and your child can get back to playing (or homework!) as soon as possible.
Mankind has enjoyed a long beneficial relationship with the white oak tree. It’s never too late to introduce yourself to the mighty and ‘magical’ white oak tree, and why not do it through the Essential Survival Herb Kit? I think you’ll find you’ll make fast friends for life.
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Essential Survival Herb Kits Now Available!
The BRAND-NEW, totally exclusive Essential Survival Herb Kit comes with 9 of the most powerful and versatile herbs available. These organic/wildcrafted herbs are the perfect combination to have on hand for first aid, medical preparedness, and general natural healing.
Whether you are a total newbie with herbalism, you’ve dabbled in herbalism some, or you are an expert on herbs, this kit will help you:
- Become acquainted with 9 of herbs most useful for a wide variety of ills, including heart problems, circulation, skin eruptions, broken bones, stress, fevers, blood purifying, digestion, and much more,
- Learn about the specific properties and uses for each of these 9 herbs,
- Learn how to make your own herbal tinctures, fomentations, poultices, infusions, and decoctions in 3 concise, informative videos produced exclusively for Essential Survival by Master Herbalist Rebecca Potter,
- Feel more confident in taking the next steps in herbalism important for medical preparedness, such as growing your own herbs.
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Rebecca Potter is a lifelong student of herbalism, a lover of herbs and natural healing. She feels passionately about sharing her knowledge and experience with herbs to empower all to achieve the greatest possible health potential. She received her Master Herbalist degree from The School of Natural Healing, and teaches herbal classes in her local area of Salt Lake City. In addition to her herbal classes, Rebecca enjoys doing personalized herbal consultations, is involved in an integrative health clinic, and performs a variety of key functions at Essential Survival, LLC. Follow her on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/
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These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Anyone suffering from disease or injury should consult with a physician.
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I have a very bad case of receding gum around one tooth and despite a few years of deep cleaning and antibiotic by a peridontist, the problem has worsened. The root is exposed and shooting pain occurs if hot or cold beverages or food touch any part of the tooth. A new peridontist has told me the tooth is a lost cause and needs to come out. It’s next to an upper molar. I read where white oak bark and taheebo, with lemon grass, should be consumed in large quantities to correct the problem and without tooth extraction. I have the white oak bark and lemon grass, but are you familiar with taheebo? I’ve never heard of it.