kermes oak

The information given is informative. In case of doubt, consult the doctor. "Botanical" is not responsible for damages caused by self-medication

A detail of the plant with the fruits

Daniel Martínez Bou


	Common Noun: Kermes oak
	Scientific Noun: Quercus coccifera
	Family: Beech family -. fagaceae
	Habitat: In scrubs and dry places
	Characteristics : Perennial shrub of the beech family - fagaceae - till 2 meters tall. Stems downy. Undivided leaves a bit toothed, dark green, spiny edge. Young leaves show lighter green, white hairy beneath. The fruit is an acorn with scales in its cup, ripening two years after.It is sometimes worth noting the presence of some wood like balls in some of the branches.They are the galls, produced by the same shrub so as the insects lay the eggs into them.By this method, the plant preserves its own branches.

	Active components:
	Tannins ( cuercitanic, elagic and galic acids ) fat, starches, sugars, etc.

	Properties: It is one of the best astringents, such as the rest of the trees in its family - quercus (oaks) *a) medicinal:* `Internal use` `Astringent`: We should use the bark of the young trees, although the leaves and galls may be used, too. All these parts have astringent properties. Diarrhea: Infusion for 10 minutes of 10 gr. of bark in half a litter of water. We should drink a glass after each one of the three daily Hemorrhoids: Use the same infusion. Hemorrhages of any kind which specially affect to the female sexual system: metritis (Uterus inflammation ) uterine fibromas, leucorrhoea and blennorrhagia. Decoction of some dry leaves in a litter of water. Three glasses a day. `External use` Since the tannins contained in this plants are very irritating to the stomach, specially the cuercitanic acid, you should rather make an external use of it. `Antiseptic:` `-` The decoction seen above can be used for mouthwashes against pyorrhoea and gingivitis. `-`To treat hemorrhoids and anal fissures make a 35 minutes decoction of a big handful of dry bark. This decoction can also be used to treat female sexual illness as leucorrhoea and blennorrhagia. - Chilblains: Use the same decoction. `Anti-inflammatory:` We should apply a compress soaked with the juice extracted from the smashed acorns to diminish inflammation. *d) Other:* *Alimentary:* Its fruits ( acorns ) are good for feeding pigs. They are also eatable for human beings, in spite of their bitter and sour taste.

	Picking and storing: Bark should be picked up in Spring, from trees about 15 or 20 years old. Acorns at the end of Summer or at the beginning of Autumn.