The Indians used to take thin strips of the inner oak bark and place them between the gums and the lips. These would be left on while asleep and at times during the day to heal sores of gums, to tighten loose teeth, etc.
I was lecturing at our former Herb Shop on South State Street in Salt Lake City, a few years ago, during a bad snow storm. We were just starting to discuss loose teeth and pyorrhea when the door opened and a lady in a snow covered hat and coat stepped into the lecture hall. She had brushed off the snow and just stood there. We asked her to come up front, as there was an empty seat but she shook her head and remained where she was, obviously just wanting to warm up before leaving. We went on with the discourse telling of using oak bark powder between the gums and lips during the night to tighten the teeth.

When I had finished, the lady opened the door, and with a blast of cold air, she left. Two weeks later, on the same night of the week this lady came again and asked to speak. Not recognizing her and thinking maybe she wanted to tell about someone leaving their car lights on or something, I told her to go ahead. She told us that she was from a small town and her teeth were all coming loose. Her dentist said it was pyorrhea and that there was no cure, and that he would send her to Salt Lake City, as he was not prepared to do this type of job. He "consoled" her with the knowledge that after the teeth were pulled, she could have temporary dentures put in immediately. She was sick at heart, as she had perfect teeth with no cavities or fillings and how she would have to lose them. She had hoped that in the larger city some dentist would show her a cure; but it was the same story. That night she went to the hotel, but was so worried and upset that she could not sleep. She decided to dress and go for a walk in the snow storm, hoping to tire herself enough to return to the hotel and obtain some rest. It was dark, and she was cold and crying, however, she was led by the Spirit to our store. There was a light and the store looked warm, so she stepped inside just as we started on the subject of teeth and the gums. The next morning, she went to a health food store, got some oak bark powder and started to use it. In two weeks her teeth became tight, and the gums were firm. She proudly showed us her beautiful teeth which she could now keep. When she said goodbye, it was with tears of happiness for finding a good healing tooth powder. Here is a good tooth powder for everyone:

Take 3 parts oak bark powder
6 parts comfrey root powder
1 part powdered cloves
3 parts peppermint powder
1/2 part lobelia powder
3 parts horsetail grass powder

Use this for healthy gums and bright teeth.

OAKBARK

Oak bark is an accommodating herb, located in almost any part of the civilized world. It varies from a stately 80 to 100 feet to the little scrub oak, which is found throughout the western United States. The inner bark (not over 2% of outer bark or foreign matter), the leaves, acorn or cup are the parts of the plant which are used for medicine.

Varieties

Our own textbook for the School of Natural Healing gives the botanical names of different species of oak: White or Tanner's (Quercus alba; Fagaceae; Cupuliferae), Common European or English (Q. robur, var., Q. pubescens, Q. per undulata, Q. Sessiliflora; Fagaceae), Black or Scarlet (Q. velutina; Q. coccinea var. tinctora Facaceae), Red (Q. rubra; Fagaceae). Note: Our local western scrub oak is of the same family, and its uses are the same as for the other members of the oak family.

Therapeutic Properties

Oak bark is strongly astringent, slowly antiseptic, slightly stimulant, tonic, hemostatic, anti-venomous, febrifuge, antiemetic, diuretic (lithotriptic), anthelmintic (vermifuge).

Usage

Oak bark is used internally and externally for hemorrhage, leukorrhea, diarrhea, dysentery, prolapsus uteri, prolapsed anus, relaxed vagina, sore mouth and gums, ulcerated and inflamed throat, diphtheria, seminal emissions, ulcerated bladder, bloody urine, pin worms, inflammations, burning fevers, infections, uterine troubles, piles, varicose veins, kidney and liver problems, goiter, hardened neck, tumors, swollen ulcers, hard tumors, sores, tetters, ringworm, scaly eruptions, catarrh, colon troubles, gonorrhea, gleet, stomach troubles, relaxed tissue, thrush, cholera, infant hemoptysis, intermittents, phthisis, prolapsed uvula, gangrene, tooth powder, washes. It has been tried for almost everything, it seems.

Other References

THE HERBALIST, page 90; BACK TO EDEN, pages 171 and 325; POTTER'S CYCLOPEDIA, Page 251. Culbreth in his MATERIA MEDICA AND PHARMACOLOGY, pages 160 and 161, has a good amount of material on oak and its uses. His book describes the "Organic drugs which are or have been recognized by the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, especially designed for students of pharmacy and medicine, as well as for druggist, pharmacist and physician." Culbreth is speaking of organic drugs. We would like to quote from WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT DRUGS? by George W. Kell, 1700 McHenry Ave., #9, Modesto, California 95350. He says:

In searching for an answer to the Biblical position with respect to the use of drugs, we may first be led to the conclusion that there is no such position stated in the Bible. Standard Concordances do not contain the word "drug" or "drugs". But we do find the word "medicine" in several places. At Proverbs 17:22, it is stated that "a merry heart doeth good like a medicine." In Ezekiel 47:12 the prophet states "The fruit thereof (of a tree) shall be for meat and the leaf thereof for medicine." At Jeremiah 30:13, it is stated that "There is none to plead thy cause that thou mayest be bound up; thou hast no healing medicines." The last reference to "medicine" found in the Bible is at Jeremiah 46:11 wherein it is stated, "In vain shalt thou use many medicines, for thou shalt not be cured." But, when we search the semantic derivation of the term "medicine" as used by the translators, we find that, in each of the foregoing references, the word is the original Hebrew meant something substantially different than drug or chemical. Strong's Concordance shows that the derivation of the word "medicine" as used in Proverbs 17:22 is from the Hebrew word "gay haw" meaning "to remove (a bandage from a wound, i.e., heal it): --cure." Ezekiel 47:12 used the Hebrew word "ter-oo-faw," which Strong says is derived from two other Hebrew words, "roof" meaning to agitate, or tremble, and "raw-faw" meaning "to mend" (by stitching), i.e., (fig) to cure, (cause to heal). The word "medicines" as found in Jeremiah 30:13 and 46:11 are derived from the same Hebrew word roots. Consequently it is apparent that the word "medicine" as found in the Old Testament is the translator's interpretation of the meaning of the Hebrew word which literally meant "to cure" or "to mend" and which did not necessarily imply the use of any drug, chemical or "medicine" as we understand that term in this era of time.

In the herbal field, herbs are food. Vegetables, nuts, grains, and fruits are often referred to as herbs in the sense that they are also used as food. If vegetables, nuts, grains and fruits are properly used in their wholesome states, they can build or rebuild (in some cases) the body in a healthy state in the same way we expect herbs to build the body.

Varicose Veins

Oak bark is used in concentrated tea form. To concentrate, strain the finished tea and then simmer down the liquid to half its original amount. Flannel is then dipped into the concentrated oak tea, wrapped around the malfunctioning area, covered with plastic, and left on all night. This is done six days a week with one day of rest, with the program repeated until pressure is gone and the desired relief has been obtained.

One of our students in the Provo, Utah area visited a lady who was suffering from varicose veins so severely that she had difficulty walking or standing for even a few moments, or even sitting down with her feet on the floor. At night the throbbing and pain would be so intense that she would have to elevate her legs for relief; then, in 15 or 20 minutes, the throbbing and pain of the elevated legs would become so painful that she would have to lower her legs again. Consequently, this woman could get no more than 20 to 30 minutes of sleep at a time. Upon seeing such suffering, our student told her friend about the healing properties of oak bark tea, which she had recently learned about in a lecture. The friend said, "Use anything you have to help, this is unbearable." So our student went home, prepared the tea and applied it to the victim's afflicted limbs. Following instructions, she took gauze and daubed on the tea, allowing it to dry. Another coat was added to the entire area of both legs. She planned to apply the 10 or 12 coats recommend lightly bandaging the legs and allowing the oak tea residue to be absorbed into the skin. It has been found that this procedure would give relief, and ofttimes would lessen the dark vein and/or phlebitis color by 20%. However, after only six coats of tea, the patient said she was drowsy and would like to doze off a few minutes, and asked out student to return and finish later. The husband said, "Oh, she never sleeps but a few minutes, never over a half hour." Upon this, our student went home, with the agreement to return when her patient awakened. That was around 9:00 - 10:00 in the evening. To the surprise and joy of everyone, the woman slept all night and woke up the next morning feeling refreshed. She was given more treatments and received complete relief.

We find that it is best to use wet flannel or other kinds of non-synthetic cloth soaked in the fomentation. These should be left on all night. For the leg area, white cotton or wool socks or stockings soaked in the tea, pulled over the afflicted area and covered with plastic wrapping make good fomentation material. Cut the toe end off a stocking and it can be pulled up onto the knee or other parts of the leg area for more localized treatment.

To clean and feed the veinous structure internally as well as externally, one fourth cup of oak bark tea in three fourths cups of water (distilled is preferred) may be used three or four times a day. With each cup of tea, it is best to take one half teaspoon or more of cayenne to speed up the action. The cayenne may be taken in capsule form or mixed in half a glass of water.

Thrush or Frog

We had an interesting case in Taylorsville, Utah. The patient was a little boy about 18 months of age. As I stepped into the house the stench of Thrush was so strong it nearly staggered me, yet the child was across the large living room from the entry.

Quickly we mixed oak bark tea and concentrated it down to half its original volume. With the little boy on my knee, an atomizer was used to spray oak bark tea into his mouth through his swollen lips, white sores and swollen tongue. Since he couldn't swallow well because of the sores and swelling in the throat, it was necessary to tip him over so that the liquid would run out of his mouth. This procedure was repeated several times. This child could swallow only small amounts of fluid that would seep down his throat. Instructions were given to the parents to give him only red raspberry tea to drink and as much oak bark tea as possible until he healed. I was called back the next day because of an injury to an older boy, and as I stepped in the house, the little boy who had been treated for Thrush came rushing over, threw his arms around my leg and looked up with a big smile. His lips were down to normal size the white sores showed a healing pink. He was happy.

During a lecture, a student related the details of another case of Thrush in Flagstaff, Arizona. She told how two men took turns holding a little girl afflicted with Thrush 24 hours a day for two weeks to comfort her in her agony. Another woman told of her personal acquaintance with Thrush. She had suffered over six months with the disease of the gums, and her gums had been trimmed down to the bone. She has lost all her teeth and now was wearing dentures that were sitting on the bone of the jaws with no suction. Yet our little patient healed rapidly in less than 24 hours with herbs.

Hemorrhoids and Piles

Hemorrhoids and piles are a very common ailment in the world today, and many preparations on the market are highly advertised to give relief. However, these remedies may give temporary relief, but there is a program, which is followed, will cure the cause of the disease and bring about a total cure.

The basic cause of this condition is sugar in the form of candy, beverages (pop, coffee, etc), pastries and bread. These leach out the calcium from the body. Other culprits are white flour, tobacco, and liquor. One of the first places the leaching starts is in the veinous structure of the body, drawing off the supporting calcium. This is turn weakens the veins, causing varicose veins, which will, if allowed to continue, become phlebitis. Another serious area for leaching is the bowel area, where old fecal matter has accumulated. The body tried to remove the impaction by draining as much fluid from the body as it can. There is generally enough fluid to cause a bowel movement, but the liquid which is left absorbs the sugar. It then feeds into the veins and leaches out the tensile strength of the veins in the lower bowel area. When straining for a bowel movement, the veins have more pressure exerted, and in turn, the weak walls break and result in a varicose condition called piles or hemorrhoids.

To correct this condition, follow the mucusless diet and use cayenne regularly. Cayenne aids in strengthening the veins and arteries because it increases circulation and is rich in calcium. Work up to taking a teaspoon of cayenne three times a day by starting with one-third of a teaspoon three times a day in water, cold or warm, as you prefer. Do this three days, and add one-third teaspoon each day until up to the one teaspoon three times a day, six days a week, as with all aids. Rest one day; then continue.

Jogging daily to exercise the muscles and bowel area is good. Never overdo exercise. Start with a minute or two, or until fatigued. Then stop. Increase each day, up to 15 minutes or more every day. Exercise is beneficial, but if one becomes overly fatigued, damage may be done.

In addition to the above, use a combination of 3 parts of oak bark powder, 6 parts comfrey and 1 part lobelia powder. Mix well, and make into a heavy past with glycerine (U.S.P. from the drug store). Roll this in the hands to form a tapered suppository and put into the refrigerator or in a cool place to harden. At night first insert a peeled button garlic (a small clove of garlic) into the rectum as far as it can be pushed. Then insert the oak suppository and leave both in all night. The garlic and the remainder of the suppository will come out with the first bowel movement the next morning. During the day, if desired, you may use a small syringe to insert one half cup to one cup of concentrated oak bark tea into the rectum and hold it in as long as possible. To make this tea, use 3 parts oak bark, 1 part lobelia and 1 part marshmallow root. All teas are made with 1 ounce of the herbs to a pint of water. Lie on a slant board with the head down and knead and massage the pelvic and abdominal area 10 to 15 minutes while the liquid is in place. This will tone up weak and sagging muscles in distended transverse, descending and sigmoid colons. Women who need to strengthen weakness in the reproductive organs should use this same tea as a retained douche, and lie a while on the slant board.

History and Historical Uses of Oak Bark
The mighty oak tree has always been the king of the forest, the symbol of great strength. According to Sir James Frazer in his anthropological opus of the 1920's, The Golden Bough, the oak tree, or the oak god, has been worshipped by all branches of the Aryan peoples in Europe. The ancient Greeks maintained a sanctuary where Zeus (Jupiter, in Roman culture) was revered in an oak tree as an oracle. The voice of Zeus was associated with thunder, and Dodona, the site of the oracular oak forest had more thunder and lightening storms than any place in the land

It is also a fact that the oak tree has been struck by lightening more than any other tree in the European woods. An oak blasted by the electricity was either revered as a sacred spot, or the wood from the stricken tree was used for spiritual purposes such as arrows among the Tompsom Indians of British Columbia. In South Africa the Thonga peoples, and in old Britain some Saxons believe that fire kindled by the wood from a lightening stricken oak tree is to be avoided, for it may burn the house down. The Winamwanga group of Northern Rhodesia, however, upon finding a tree afire from lightening will call the chief to pray over the fire. They will then put out their old fires only to rekindle then with the new fire from heaven.

Ancient Italians dedicated every oak tree to Jupiter, and celebrated many festivals to him as they prayed for rain. Much of the rain originated in the oak-clad highlands on the Capitoline slopes of Rome.

Among the Celts of ancient France, the Druids held the oak tree as sacred and also associated the tree with the deity, Zeus. Even the name "Druid" means "Oak men."

The Druids collected the herb mistletoe, a parasite to the oak, with a golden sickle. They never allowed the mistletoe to touch the ground, but gathered it in a white sheet placed on the ground directly beneath the tree. Because the mistletoe was a product of lightening according to the ancients, and because it grew in the oak branches and did not contact the ground, it was considered a cure for epilepsy, a sickness in which people fell to the ground. Folks in antiquity often felt that the mistletoe was the reason for the oak's existence; as long as the mistletoe was green, the oak would remain invulnerable.

Various parts of the oak have been used as charms for everything from bringing rain to protection against fires. At one time it was considered a crime to cut down an oak, and this destroy the oak spirit which dwelled within the tree.

In Asia Minor, the oak senators met in the "sacred oak grove" or the "temple of the oak." The ancient Germans, Slavs, Lithuanians, and Norsemen also had their counterparts of the Jupiter character worshipped in connection with the oak tree.

In early Wales, it was believed that the oak tree blooms on Midsummer Eve, the blossoms withering to dust before sunrise. Any Young girl wishing to see her future husband in a dream was urged to collect some of the dust and place it under her pillow that night. The Yule log of Europe was traditionally made of oak, and was surrounded by customs guaranteeing safety, good crops, good fortune, and health and protection from sorcery during the new year. Similarly, oak plays an important role in Midsummer fire festivals.

The connection between man and oak is very deeply rooted in the customs, culture and health of mankind, and it is truly a patriarchal herb.

Below are presented some oak formulas which have been successfully used by a French herbalist, Maurice Messegue. He was born in Gascony, and learned many of his recipes from his father who was also an herbalist. He notes that the oak is rich in tannin. This makes it possible for it to stop bleeding and heal tissues which have been damaged by injury or infection.

INFUSIONS AND DECOCTIONS:

(For bleeding, incontinence of urine, diarrhea, or varicose veins: take two to three cupfuls a day)

5 fresh or dried oak leaves
a small mixed handful of balm, nettle and eucalyptus
1 and 3/4 pint of water

(For external use, or a gargle, or foot or hand baths, or compress)

10 fresh or dried leaves
1 and 1/4 pints of water

POWDER
(Taken with honey; 2 teaspoonfuls a day as an astringent for hemorrhage)

DECOCTION OF BARK
(Used as external compress for hemorrhoids, dermatitis, as a gargle for tonsillitis, pharyngitis, and as an enema)

1 handful of pounded oak bark into a liter of water.

ACORNS
One handful of grated acorns may be used in cases of colic.

The acorns are very rich in protein, and they formed the basic diet of the Pomo Indians of California. They, of course, spent many hours grinding them into a meal and then leaching the tannic acid out of them to make them taste like nut meal. The mold which grew on acorn meal, according to herbalist Jeanne Rose, was used to heal boils, sores, and other inflammations.

David Conway, in his book, The Magic of Herbs, states that the acorns were once prescribed as a cure for alcoholism in the form of a distilled spirit (Spiritus Glandium Quercus). His book was published by Mayflower Books of Great Britain in 1975.

Almost all parts of the oak have therapeutic properties. The oak galls, that is, the swellings formed when insects lay their eggs in the bark, according to Michael Moore, contain two or three times the amount of tannin as the bark. This makes them valuable, fresh or dried, as an external wash or dressing. Rose states that the Indians of California used the diluted juice of the oak galls as an eyewash.

The active ingredients of oak bark are tannin and quercin. Quercin has a similar effect to salicin, and it is useful when used with bioflavonoid, or Vitamin P therapy in order to strengthen the capillaries.

Dr. Christopher's laboratory analysis of white oak bark (Quercus alba) shows the following constituents: (The inner bark was used.)

Moisture 4.3%
Protein 2.8%
Fat 1.7%
Fiber 51.3%
Ash 4.9%
Carbohydrate 22.8%
Calcium 0.76%
Phosphorous 0.66%
Potassium 2.3%
Sodium 0.7%
Chlorine negligible amount present
Magnesium 0.28%
Iron 0.0008%
Manganese 12.4 mg/lb
Copper 3.3 mg/lb
Zinc negligible amount present

In addition the following were present:

quercitannic acid d-quercitol
gallotannic acid quercitrin
gallic acid quercitin
ellagic acid tannic acid
pentadigallol-glucose

Dr. M. 0. Garten has included some of his successful formulas using oak bark in his work, The Health Secrets of a Naturopathic Doctor, published by Parker Publishing Co., Inc., West Nyack, New York, 1967.

We will add them to this discussion of oak bark.

Bronchial catarrh, diarrhea, hemorrhoids:
1/2 oz. powdered oak bark to a pint of water. Simmer for 10 minutes. Add honey for sweetening.

Bladder condition:
1/3 oz. powdered bark and one teaspoon crushed juniper berries. Simmer for 5 minutes in 1/2 pint of water. Use honey to sweeten. Take 3 tablespoons a.m. and p.m.

Gargle for sore throat, swollen tonsils, fomentations of boils of skin eruptions. Also useful for feet with unpleasant odor.
1 oz. powdered oak bark simmered in 3 pints of water for about 30 minutes. Simmer to 2/3 of original volume.

Douche for women:
1 part of oak bark to 15 parts of water. Simmer 30 minutes.

--(Garten, 1967, p.170-171).

The oak bark should be collected in "early spring or late fall when the tannin is highest. The galls of the twigs when they are still flecked with red and moist, the leaves in early fall."

--(Moore, Medicinal Plants of the Mountain West, Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, 1979.)

Chemical Poisoning

Question #1:

Is there any herbal treatment for taking lead poisoning out of the system?

Effects of copper, lead, and small doses of arsenic poisoning have been alleviated by the following procedure (one which we have successfully used for many years in our practice and teachings).

A tea is made by using three parts bugle weed, three parts yellow dock root, and one part lobelia herb. (Steep, do not boil herbs, in water that has been brought to a boil a few minutes, 1 oz. mixed herbs to one pint water). The recommended adult dosage is one cup two or three times a day, or more, and with each cup take three, fifteen grain chaparral tablets. Use this routine as instructed six days per week, at least three weeks, before taking the next aid, to be described.

While following this program, add the following bath program along with the teas and chaparral. In a tub full of hot water (as hot as can be safely tolerated), dissolve from one to three pounds of Epsom Salts. Bath in this hot tub for thirty minutes, three times a week on alternate days. This is done for three weeks. Rest from the bath routine for a week, thought continuing on with drinking the tea. Do two more cycles of the three-a-week bath procedures.

Numerous reports have come to us, relating that metals, as well as drugs and fallout materials have left the body and adhered to the sides of the tub, leaving a metallic ring. This program may be repeated as needed.

Question #2:

What can be done in areas where there is polluted air?

We have a formula that is an aid for hayfever, asthma and sinus; and by using two or three capsules two or more times a day, has proven beneficial to many. This combination is a natural herbal aid working as a decongestant and antihistamine to dry up sinuses and expel from the head and broncho-pulmonary tubes and passages the offending stoppage and mucus. To each cup of water or tea used to wash the capsules down, add 6 to 10 drops of "Tincture of Elder Berry" or "Tincture of Black Walnut". Both of these tinctures are high in potassium (which is also a great help.)

As an aid to speed up the results desired, use the following horseradish combination. Blend to a thick pulp, fresh chopped up horseradish roots and apple cider vinegar and chew thoroughly one third teaspoon of the pulp. Swallow the pulp three or more times a day. Each three days, increase the amount adding one-third teaspoon up to a teaspoon three times a day. This is also an aid for sinus-stopped up head and nose.

A number of times each day, in as clean an atmosphere as possible, it is well to practice deep breathing exercises. It is also very beneficial to drink a gallon of "steam distilled water" each day. This will aid to cut down the hardening of the arteries, adjust high and low blood pressure, and retard body dehydration. The amount of water depends on the weight of the individual. Use one ounce of "steam distilled water" to each pound of body weight. i.e. a one hundred and thirty pound individual should drink a gallon of the water (132 oz.) or a twenty pound child, twenty ounces of the water.

You will note that the hayfever, asthma and sinus formula consists of the following herbs:

Brigham tea, marshmallow root, juniper berries, golden seal root, chaparral, burdock root, parsley root and lobelia.

All of these herbs are to help feed and build up the strength of the pulmonary organs and to also act as a decongestant and antihistamine.

Question #3:

What will in a natural way, aid to clear up staph?

Staph is an abbreviation for Staphylococcus. The definition for this word is bunch of grapes. A genus of spherical cells arranged in irregular groups and short chains, and very rarely in packets. These are the bacteria most commonly found in boils, abscesses, carbuncles, and similar suppurative processes.

As can be seen here, we do not have a local problem, but an internal one. I have had many cases of long suffered and continual of furuncle (boil) types that have been cleared by cleaning up the blood stream. The initial cause stems from "food" intake.

The first step is to clean out the bowels (using Dr. Christopher's Lower Bowel Tonic and Dr. Christopher's Blood Purifying Tea called the Red Clover Combination formula).

After getting on the right start, it is also good to stay on the mucusless diet for long range good health and freedom from staph infections.

As an aid to clearing a staph condition as quickly as possible, it is wise to use an abundance of garlic and onions, raw as much as possible, in salads and low heated foods. We have in our aids a formula for infection. Two or three of these capsules, three or more times a day, will be of great help. To assist this formula add three of six drops of Black Walnut Tincture and three to six drops of Tincture of Lobelia to each cup of steam distilled water being used in drinking down these capsules.