[…] the oak was clothed in mist,
gigantic guardian, there
where the darkness from the bushes
with a hundred black eyes he looked.
[Goethe]
Introduction
Patriotic emblem par excellence, the oak was the subject of many poetic and artistic works by poets and painters, both ancient and contemporary. Since ancient times, the oak has symbolized strength and robustness: the botanical genus (Quercus) literally means "beautiful tree" (Celtic translation), while the species that defines the common oak (robust) indicates “strength”, an adjective suitable to express the strength and resistance of the plant.
The oak, due to its particular solidity to the ground and its grandeur towards the sky, has always been synonymous with strength and solidity; similarly, the oak is the favorite home of many animals.
Botanical analysis
The genre Quercus (Fam. Fagaceae) groups all popularly named trees oaks, and includes many tree species that grow spontaneously in our country. Surely, among the most common species in Italy, the holm oak, the oak, the cork oak and the English oak cannot be missing.
We are talking about a rustic tree of very imposing dimensions, capable of reaching, at times, 40-45 meters in height. The leaves, deciduous, alternating lobed or toothed, drape the oak of a particularly thick crown. the plant displays both female and male flowers: for this reason, we speak of oak monoecious; more precisely, the female flowers are dyed green, while the male ones usually sport yellow clothes.
The fruits are acorns, achenes surrounded at the base by a dome of rough and woody scales. Immature, oak acorns are green, while when ripe they take on a brownish color.
Oaks love soils that are drained and exposed to sunlight; however, the mighty plant also tolerates shady areas.
Oak: variety
As described above, the oaks in Italy are very numerous (there are over 200 species); among the most important are:
- Oak (Quercus petraea): it is mainly used in the construction sector, in the manufacture of furniture and in the processing of wine barrels, as well as being widely used for the production of coal. Oak is arguably the most valuable oak in terms of timber.
- Farnia (Quercus robur): this is the most widespread oak in Europe, particularly frequent in the regions of Northern Italy; it is characterized by sessile leaves, acorns with long peduncles and imposes itself showing a rather irregular posture.English oak is a plant suitable for symbiotic cultivation with truffles.
- Cork oak (Quercus suber): as the name itself suggests, Quercus suber it is grown mostly for cork which, abundantly, is obtained from the rind and subsequently used for the production of corks, plywood, insulating material, manufacture of sandals, etc.
- Holm oak or holm oak (Quercus ilex): s "fits into the category of the most important evergreen oaks in the Mediterranean, mostly used for firewood. It is an oak typical of areas with a particularly torrid climate.
Active ingredients and properties
In phytotherapy, acorns, bark, buds, catkins and roots are used for oak; mostly condensed tannins (catechins, ellagitannins, proanthocyanidins) are obtained, in an estimated percentage between 8 and 20%. Furthermore, variable quantities of resins, pectins and flavonoids are obtained from the oak.
Due to the particular composition of the phytocomplex, oak is used in phytotherapy especially in the treatment of diarrhea and mild inflammations of the mucosa.
Oak and medical uses
In ancient times, the use of oak for medical purposes was mostly centered on the large quantity of tannins, as antifebrile and antihemorrhagic. Still considered for its tannic-based phytocomplex, oak is exploited for its astringent, antiseptic (disinfectant), vasoconstrictive, antiviral and analgesic qualities, albeit mild.
As we know, the therapeutic value par excellence attributed to tannins is the astringent one: for external use in particular, oak tannins are particularly suitable in the treatment of hemorrhoids, anal fissures and fistulas, precisely by virtue of their healing, antiseptic and vaso-constricting capacity. of these molecules.
Some authors recommend the use of oak extract to treat ailments of various kinds, such as chilblains, hyperhidrosis (in particular, of the hands and feet), sebaceous hypersecretion of the scalp and to treat dandruff problems.
Taken orally, oak extract is used in the treatment of non-specific diarrhea and as a stomachic.
The oak buds are used to regulate intestinal function, as a tonic and stimulant in the stages of convalescence and, lastly, against sexual asthenia.
The astringent and anti-inflammatory therapeutic value in the treatment of leucorrhoea is ascribed, instead, to the young roots and to the oak acorns.
Toxicity and drug interaction
The toxicity of oak is linked to the tannic component. In any case, the use of oak must be avoided in case of ascertained or presumed hypersensitivity towards one or more molecules composing the phytocomplex.
The intake of oak extracts can reduce the absorption of basic pharmacological substances, and oak tannins precipitate iron salts.
Oak in brief, summary of the properties of oak "
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