Quercus alba
Quercus alba
Quercus alba, commonly known as white oak, is a deciduous tree species central to various North American ethnobotanical traditions. It is traditionally utilized as an astringent to address conditions such as bleeding, hemorrhoids, stomatitis, sores, burns, fever, arthritis, rheumatism, and eye complaints. Scientific evidence regarding its medicinal efficacy is currently limited, as available studies focus primarily on wood joint performance, pest reduction through heat treatments, and forest ecology rather than therapeutic properties. No major safety issues or notable drug interactions have been recorded in the current literature.
- Traditionally for
- astringent · bleeding
- Traditions
- traditional · Western phytotherapy
- Best evidence
- D
- Cautions
- —
Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.
Traditional use
- astringent
- bleeding
- arthritis
- burns
- eye complaints
- fever
- head
- hemorrhoids
- rheumatism
- sores
- stomatitis
What the science says
- A new inquiline species, Synergus nigrus, was discovered within Philonix nigra galls on white oaks.
- The vacuum-steam-heat treatment substantially reduces the presence of target pests infesting the sapwood of Quercus alba, Q. rubra, and Juglans nigra logs.
- The study found that introducing a cyclic olefin-based hot-melt film adhesive delayed delamination and increased joint performance in wood single lap joints under both quasi-static and impact loading.
- The initial census found 29,280 free-standing living stems from 27,418 woody individuals in the Paint Rock Forest Dynamics Plot.
Frequently asked questions
What is Quercus alba?
Quercus alba (Quercus alba) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.
What is Quercus alba traditionally used for?
Traditional sources record Quercus alba for: astringent, bleeding, arthritis, burns, eye complaints, fever. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.
Which traditions use Quercus alba?
Quercus alba appears in these traditions in our sources: traditional, Western phytotherapy.
What does the scientific evidence say about Quercus alba?
4 sourced findings are recorded for Quercus alba; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: A new inquiline species, Synergus nigrus, was discovered within Philonix nigra galls on white oaks.
How strong is the evidence for Quercus alba?
The strongest finding for Quercus alba carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).
Is Quercus alba safe? What are the side effects?
No major safety issues are recorded for Quercus alba in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.
Does Quercus alba interact with medications?
No drug interactions are recorded for Quercus alba in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.
What are the common names of Quercus alba?
Quercus alba is also known as: Дуб белый, Chêne blanc.
Is Quercus alba a proven treatment?
No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.
Sources
- T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
- T2 Commodity risk assessment of oak and walnut logs from the US. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Initial tree census for the Paint Rock Forest Dynamics Plot, Alabama, USA. literature abstract metadata
- T2 Synergus nigrus (Hymenoptera, Cynipidae, Synergini), a new inquiline species reared from galls of Philonix nigra Gillette, 1889 (Cynipidae, Cynipini). literature abstract metadata
- T2 Strengthening the Substrates of Wood Single Lap Joints Using a Novel Hot-Melt Film Adhesive to Mitigate Delamination. literature abstract metadata