There are about 600 species of oaks the two most common being the red oak and the white oak. There are Irish oaks English oaks which are more common in the UK and Europe and live California oaks found in the US. Chestnut oak is mainly distributed in the eastern region U.S Health Benefits of Oak Plants
Health benefits of oak plant
Oak trees are most common in the Northern Hemisphere. With the help of Dr Lucy Rowland (University of Edinburgh) in a BBC documentary about the oak tree it was found that it can consume around 70 litres of water per hour. Oak trees belong to the genus Quercus and consist of a variety of tree species such as Red oak and white oak. The bark nuts and leaves of this tree serve many purposes. The various phytochemicals present in oak leaves bring many health benefits to the medical world.
Here are the health benefits of oak leaves used for medicinal purposes:
Antioxidant that fights free radicals: A phenolic compound is found in oak leaves. This compound is a powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals in the body.
Prevents Cancer Cell Growth: Oak leaves have potential cancer-fighting properties. It also comes from antioxidants that block free radicals that can cause cancer cells to grow.
Supports Cardioprotective Activity: Flavonoids are also found in oak leaves. This compound has cardioprotective activity and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease through its various mechanisms such as inhibiting vascular inflammation and preventing plaque formation.
Quickly heal superficial wounds: Oak leaves contain flavonoids that play a role in the healing process especially for superficial wounds. Fresh oak leaves can also be applied to the top of a wound or affected area and it will heal quickly.
Helps Treat Stomach Ulcers: Through a flavonoid complex oak leaves can help treat stomach ulcers. It also releases flavonoids substances that can heal stomach ulcers and prevent inflammation.
Reduce local inflammation: Oak leaves can reduce symptoms of local inflammation such as redness and pain in specific localized areas. A person should apply fresh oak leaves to areas of local inflammation and wait for the flavonoids contained in oak leaves to reduce symptoms of inflammation.
Fights viruses and bacteria: In addition to being anti-inflammatory the flavonoids in oak leaves are also antibacterial. It also fights viruses and bacteria and aids recovery from infections.
Prevents the formation of atherosclerosis: The antioxidant effect of oak leaves can increase high-density lipoprotein (good cholesterol) and reduce the effect of low-density lipoprotein (bad cholesterol). This mechanism is important for preventing the formation of atherosclerosis which can become plaques in blood vessels. It also helps prevent ischemic heart disease or stroke.
Lowers blood pressure: Flavonoids in oak leaves inhibit the activity of angiotensin-converting enzyme that causes high blood pressure. Oak leaves also contain similar substrates to antihypertensive drugs in the ACE inhibitor class. Effective in lowering blood pressure in hypertensive patients blood pressure.
Helps treat dyslipidemia: The ability of oak leaves to pass through a complex of flavonoids can help treat dyslipidemia (a disorder of cholesterol levels). It can also effectively increase high-density lipoprotein levels and reduce low-density lipoprotein levels.
Help with fever: Oak leaves contain ingredients that can be used as a quinine substitute. This ingredient helps treat fever symptoms.
Helps stop bleeding: Oak leaves play a role in wound healing mechanisms. It also contains a substance that helps stop bleeding. By placing fresh clean oak leaves on the bleeding site and pressing on them until the bleeding stops.
Reduces skin irritation: The anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties of oak leaves can be used to reduce skin irritation. It will reduce redness and swelling in irritated skin areas.
General preservatives: Flavonoid compounds found in oak leaves can also act as preservatives. Oak leaves can also be used to clean the wound area of residue or bacteria. Don't forget to wash the wound with water first then with oak leaves.
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