Oak
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Botanical Name |
Quercus robur |
|
Family |
Fagaceae |
|
Other Names |
Common oak, English oak, French oak, king of the forest, tanner’s bark |
|
Habitat |
Woods |
|
Description |
Deciduous tree up to 35m/115ft with a broad domed crown Leaves bright green alternate wavy edged. Flowers May-June Acorns |
|
Native To |
Europe, Mediterranean |
|
Parts Used |
Bark, wood, fruit, leave |
|
Harvesting |
Bark: April –May |
|
Actions |
Bark: Anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent Acorns: Astringent |
|
Constituents |
Bark: Up to 20% tannins, gallic acid, ellagitannin Acorns: tannins, flavonoids, sugar, starch, albumin, fixed oil |
|
Culinary Uses |
Coffee Roast peeled kernels until golden brown, grind and roast again |
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Digestive |
Diarrhoea, dysentery, haemorrhoids |
|
Psychological |
Growth, balance, strength, endurance |
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Other Uses |
Fighting clubs |
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Other Note |
It is argued the Greek word for oak “druz” is derived from Druid and that the Gaelic word “derydd” means oak seer Most important tree to the druids. Druids may mean “people of the oak” Mistletoe growing on oak is seen as a divine blessing As it has long roots the oak symbolizes a god whose law extends to heaven, earth, and the underworld. The oak is said to be sacred to: Allah - Jehovah - Zeus - Jupiter - Thor - Mars - the Dagda - Hercules - Hou, the oak god of Guernsey - Janicot, the Basque oak god - El, the Middle Eastern oak god - Jove - Picus - Cernunnos - Herne the Hunter - Taranis - Teutates - Belenos - Donar / Dunar / Thunar - Perkunas - Perun - Taraa - Baldur - Viribius - Janus. It is also the tree of the wild ox-god Beware of an oak, it draws the stroke Rome awarded oak leaves to military heroes. Primitive Europeans believed that oak fire strengthened the sun. Sacrifices were made to sacred oaks in Europe until well into the Middle Ages It was a crime to fell an oak tree in pagan Ireland. Kildare, where the nuns of St. Brigit maintained the sacred fire, means Shrine of the Oak. In British folklore ancient, hollow trees (called bull oaks in England, bell oaks in Scotland and Ireland) are trees that stood in old sacred groves. They were often believed to be the home of spirits, elves, fairies or demons. You were supposed to turn your coat or cloak inside out to neutralize their magic: -Turn your cloaks, for fairy folks are in old oaks Lithuanians offered sacrifices to oak trees for plentiful crops Acorns were the Celtic symbol for Zeus, the Roman symbol of Jupiter. To Greeks and Romans the cupped acorn represented the penis gland The British forces were once nicknamed “Hearts of Oaks” |
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Caution |
Only use for 3-4 days internally |