This herb is approved for treatment of cutaneous and mucosal inflammatory disorders due to its astringent, antiviral, antihelminthic, and antiphlogistic effects. All of the therapeutic activity resides in the multiple tannins which account for 12-16% of the extract by weight. The catechin tannins include monomeric and dimeric catechins, oligomeric proanthocya – nidin, and leucocyanidins (3).
The only health hazard occurs with whole body baths for “widespread open” wounds or dermatitis if the patient has cardiac insufficiency stages III and IV and hypertomia stage IV. Oak is administered as powder or tea as a bath additive (22).