Oak bark

The oak tree has been the source of medicinal uses for a long time already. Quercus alba is the most important medicinal oak tree in North America. Europeans used the variety Quercus robur and q. petraea for medicinal purposes.

The oak bark contains the tannin which us the most important healing part of the tree. This substance has astringent and mildly antiseptic qualities. The tannin is the main ingredient that makes the oak bark precious in treating minor wounds and inflammation for tightening tissue and lessening the oozing.

The oak bark has astringent qualities that make it effective for healing inflammatory skin conditions. Eczema, bleeding or infected skin sores, inflamed hemorrhoids and shingles lesions react well to oak bark. If you bathe in oak bark preparations could also provide relief to these diseases as well.

The oak bark’s strong tea form has anti-inflammatory qualities that makes it effective in treating sore throat and inflamed gums. Weaker oak bar’s tea formulation, capsules and liquid extracts can relieve acute diarrhea if it is not caused by another condition. The oak bark’s astringent tannins lower intestinal inflammation and related diarrhea. A commercial oak bark preparation called Litiax which is only found in Europe is currently used to treat kidney stones. The product is diuretic (water pill) and can reduce pain and inflammation and prevents the formation of new stones. Oak bark is also being considered to be used as treatment for vaginal infections. And the studies conducted with oak bark on animals reveal that it can possibly lower cholesterol.

Oak bark is commonly available as dried bark or liquid extract or tincture. A topical formulation for skin inflammation or other irritation is done by soaking a cloth in a strongly prepared tea and the compress is applied to the affected area three times daily. You can also avail of commercial bath formulations; just follow the instructions on the package. Do not take oak bark more than the recommended dosage as advised by the doctor or on the package.

Oak bark tea preparations can be done by simmering 1 teaspoon of finely chopped bark in 1 cup (8 ounces) of water for several minutes then strain. This is good for diarrhea or other internal problems. Drink three cups daily. If you prefer a liquid extract but don’t like the taste of the oak bark tea, just mix 1 teaspoon of extract in ¼ cup (2 ounces) of water. Drink the mixture three times a day.

Talk to your doctor before taking the oak bark preparations since oak bark is know to reduce or inhibit the absorption of other medicines. Skin that are severely burned or wounded should refrain from taking oak bark bath to prevent irritation. Since the bark of oak contains tannin (8% to 10%), this could cause gastrointestinal disturbances to sensitive individuals. If tannin is used excessively over prolong periods this could cause kidney damage although using oak bark has not caused this incidence. For pregnant or women that are breast-feeding talk to your doctor before using oak bark for any possible side effects.

Oat Straw

Oats have been used as a source of food and folk remedies. The oat plant (Avena sativa) is most famous for the cereal grain that it provides hence the oatmeal. The oat straw herb is actually the whole plant which includes the leaves and stems. These parts are dried and chopped and used in internal and external forms by herbalists. The grain is harvested in summer to be used for oatmeal and oatbran. Oatmeal or the ground grain has high silica content and is used for skin problems. Oat bran from the coarse husks of the grain is good in reducing cholesterol levels.

Oat straw comes in various forms as used by traditional medicine, these include: liquid extracts, tinctures, powder and teas (which is the most popular) to treat ailments which includes arthritis and rheumatism. It straw is taken as a diuretic tea to counter fluid retention. It has a concentrate of silica (silicon dioxide) which is important in developing healthy skin, hair, nails and bones.

Oat straw also treats shingles, herpes infections and addictions. In Europe, herbalists and those in alterative medicine practice used the oat straw extracts and tinctures as nerve tonics for weakened constitutions. A number of people used oat straw as an excellent tonic for the whole body and can aid in physical and emotional fatigue or mild insomnia to anxiety. Although there have been no clinical studies conducted to verify or dispute these effects. Oat straw is particularly known as a topical remedy for the irritated and inflamed dry skin.

Oat straw has demonstrated the following benefits:

§ Oat straw has emollient qualities because of its gluten and mucilage content which helps in soothing itchy skin. Tinctures, liquid extracts, creams, cooled oat straw tea compresses can be used to sooth the irritated skin. You can also use the oat straw fine powder as bath additive. Oat straw is also used in the United States in treating rashes and itchy skin conditions.

* Oat straw supplements can strengthen nails since it has concentration of silica.

* Oat straw liquid extract could also help tobacco users kick the habit by easing withdrawal from nicotine. One study revealed that it could even treat opium addiction.

The oat straw supplements can be applied once or twice daily. If you have no powdered oatmeal you can put ½ cup of whole oats into a nylon stocking and hang it from the faucet and let warm water run on it.

In order to have healthy nails, drink oat straw tea several times a day. Or, place 1 teaspoon liquid extract in ¼ cup water and drink the mixture twice daily. To make an oat straw tea, place a tablespoon of dried herb to as much as 9 ounces. (a little over a cup) of water and boil. Cool at room temperature and strain.

As a batch additive to treat itchy skin, boil 3.5 ounces of chopped oat straw in 3 quarts for 20 minutes. Add to warm bath water. In your batch avoid contact with eyes and inflamed areas. For tobacco withdrawal, mix 1 teaspoon liquid into ¼ cup water and drink three times daily.

Oat straw has no known drug or nutrient interactions. If you are allergic to oat flour, avoid oat straw. If you have celiac disease, avoid eating oat straw preparation because it contains gluten.

Oregano Oil

Oregano oil is found in the leaves and flowering tops of more than two dozen fragrant plant species. The herb oregano is widely known for its mild minty flavor. The most popular Origanum species in North America is Origanum vulgare also called European oregano or origanum which is a member of the mint family (Labiatae). The leaves of oregano plant are popularly used in pizza toppings and pasta salads. Aside from culinary use, the oregano oil has healing properties too. This aromatic distinct oregano oil was used even in ancient times. Texts found from ancient times showed that the oregano oil was used as their remedy for seizures and narcotic poisonings. The results were not known though.

Oregano oil has the following perceived benefits:

- Oregano oil has different levels of thymol and carvacrol compounds which stop the growth of fungi, worms and other organisms. It is even found to be a good remedy in treating athlete’s foot, a condition commonly caused by Tinea versicolor fungus.

- It has mild stomach-settling and cough-clearing qualities due to thymol and carvacrol. A drop or two of oregano oil in milk or juice can calm stomach upset and help digestion.

- It is used as an antiseptic in hand cleansers and shampoos.

- It is also a remedy for headaches if rubbed in temples.

- It alleviates toothaches by diluting oregano oil and rubbing it gently into the inflamed gums and ailing tooth.

- It combats Candida overgrowth syndrome. Oregano oil antifungal actions are needed to fight this syndrome which is caused by imbalance of fungi and bacteria levels in the body.

- Recent studies indicate that oregano oil can be an effective treatment against dangerous and drug-resistant bacteria such as staphylococcus bacteria which is responsible for a number of severe infections and is quite resistant to antibiotics.

In treating toothache, dilute oregano oil in small amount of water and dab three or four times or as needed onto the source of discomfort. For Candida overgrowth syndrome, place three drops of oregano oil into empty gelatin capsule or mix the same amount of oil into juice and take this mixture three times a day. It may take several weeks before the anti-fungal properties of oil of oregano can clear up the Candida infection.

If you want to use oregano oil, buy the high-quality products because concentration of the active ingredients in oregano oil can vary among oregano products. Oil from oregano has the capacity to lower absorption of iron from iron supplements. Therefore, it is advisable to take the oregano oil at least two hours before or after taking iron supplements. Oregano oil has mild side effects. But allergic reactions to oregano oil can occur. If allergic reaction symptoms develop such as facial swelling, skin rash, itching, nausea, vomiting and other symptoms occur then stop using oregano oil. If you have iron-deficiency anemia, the oil from oregano taken internally might make your condition worse by inhibiting iron absorption from foods and supplements. It is advisable to see your doctor before taking in oil of oregano.

Omega-6 fatty acids

Omega-6 fatty acids belong to a group of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are good for the body. Omega-6 fatty acids are only one of the two types of essential fatty acids (EFAs) that are necessary for good health. The other one are Omega-3s. The term ‘essential’ refers to the fact that the body cannot produce them. It can get only them when consuming certain foods. The most healthful among omega-6 fatty acids are those that have linoleic acid. These covert to gamma linoleic acid (GLA) and become prostaglandins which are molecules that assist in regulating inflammation and blood pressure also heart, gastrointestinal and kidney functions.

Omega-6 fatty acids are found in cereals, eggs, poultry, most vegetable oils, whole-grain breads, baked goods and margarine. Additional researches conducted by nutritionists reveals that omega-6 fatty acids and omega-3s will only remain as ‘good’ fats if you get balanced amounts of both. Most diets though are filled with omega-6s nutrients.

Omega-6 fatty acids have several health benefits including some healing powers on therapeutic oils with omega-6. The healing powers of this nutrient are attributed to the fact that it has high concentrations of GLA. GLA is processed by the body and converted to prostaglandins that can either block inflammation or encourage it. GLA supplements like borage oil and evening primrose oil can calm inflammation which makes Omega-6 fatty acids good for inflammatory conditions.

Omega-6 fatty acids with high GLA content demonstrate a number of beneficial effects such as:

- It reduces the pains undergone in cases of rheumatoid arthritis. The good prostaglandins can effectively reduce inflamed joints. And if used at the same time with a prostaglandin-inhibiting anti-inflammatory medicine such as ibuprofen, the effects will be improved.

- It relieves the pains of PMS, endometriosis and fibrocystic breasts by making good prostaglandins and blocking the ‘bad’ variety.

- It also decreases eczema and psoriasis symptoms. Omega-6 fatty acids are helpful in promoting healthy skin and hair; and in treating chronic skin illness.

- It helps clear acne and rosacea. The GLA content can lessen pore clogged up and developing lesions. The fatty acids can treat rosacea by reducing inflammation, limiting cell’s use of nutrients and stimulating contraction of blood vessles through prostaglandins.

- It also prevents and improves diabetic neuropathy because diabetics with GLA supplementation has improved nerve function and thereby prevents nerve deterioration from occurring.

There is no required daily intake for omega-6 fatty acids. It is recommended that you use vegetable oils for cooking. Although, these have no GLA but they have linoleic acid which the body can convert to GLA. Omega-6 fatty acids sources do not have the same GLA content. For instance, borage oil has 16% GLA, primrose has 9%, black currant oil has 17%. For most ailments, take 1000 to 1,300 mg of borage oil daily. This can provide you with 240 to 300 mg respectively of GLA. Same does of GLA can be found in 3,000 mg of evening primrose oil or 1,500 mg of black currant seed oil.

Omega-6 fatty acids should be taken with food. And the health benefits of omega-6 fatty acids often manifest after months of use. Omega-6 fatty acids have no known drug or nutrient interactions. Although, you need doctor’s supervision if you take omega-6 fatty acids over a long period of time. Periodic liver function tests may be required.