Date: 12:48 am  Thu Apr 11, 1996       Number : 104 of 137
From: Song Bird                        Base   : [PODS] Herbal Tips & Tricks
To  : Shadowolf                        Refer #: None
Subj: white oak concoctions            Replies: None
Stat: Sent                             Origin : 09 Apr 96  09:30:17

> I was given some dried herbs by a friend who didn't know what they were
> used for and would like any and all insight about what they are used for.
> Here is the list...
 
> White Oak Bark
 
I'll tackle this one first. :)
 
White oak bark, IME, is a *powerful* astringent.  I've used it on skin lesions
to reduce swelling by cutting a bit of muslin cloth, dropping into it the
chopped bark, steeping it in hot water with a bit of marshmallow root powder
for mucilage, and then applying the bag (once cool) to the swelling/lesion. 
It reduced a quarter sized raised lesion, after lancing, to nothing.
 
Lancing can really only do so much, it'll take out the crud but it won't help
the swollen skin.
 
I'd have a care with white oak bark.  I wouldn't use it in the normal
astringent applications like for the face or for mild rashes.  It can be too
strong for those things - though if carefully done with proper dilution I
suppose it would be alright.  Still, I tend to think of witch hazel and other
gentler astringents for ointments and things.
 
Song Bird

--- DB 1.58/003113
 * Origin: Song Bird's Eyrie (93:9902/0)