Quercus infectoria Oliv.
Family Fagaceae.
Habitat Indigenous to Greece, Syria and Iran. Yields oak galls.
English Oak galls, Aleppo galls, Mecca galls.
Ayurvedic Maajuphalaka, Maayaaphala, Maayakku.
Unani Maazu. Maaphal. Siddha/Tamil Maasikkaai. Action Astringent. Bark and
fruits—used for eczema and impetigo. Galls—used for diseases of gums and oral cavity (diluted with toothpowder or paste; also as a gargle in nasal catarrh and sore throat. An ointment (1 in 4 parts of vaseline) is applied externally in haemorrhoids. Also included in breast and vaginal firming creams. A decoction of galls is used as an enema in prolapus of rectum.
Key application Quercus robur L. bark—externally, in inflammatory skin diseases; internally in nonspecific, acute diarrhoea, and local treatment of mild inflammation of the oral cavity and pharyngeal region, as well as of genital and anal area. (German Commission E.)
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India recommends the gall in leucorrhoea, dry and itching vagina; topically for dental inflammations.
The fruits gave amentoflavone hexamethyl ether, isocryptomerin and beta-sitosterol.
The alcoholic extract of fruits showed 36% liver protection against carbon tetrachioride-induced toxicity at a dose of 800 mg/kg.
The galls contain 50—70% gallo tannic acid, gallic acid 2—4%, ellagic acid, nyctanthic acid, rubric acid, besides sugars, starch, an essential oil and anthocyanins. Galls were also found to contain beta- sitosterol, amentoflavone, hexamethyl ether and isocryptomerin.
Quercus robur (English or European oak) is reported to be cultivated in Nilgins. The bark contains 15—20% tannins consisting ofphlobatannin, ellagitannins and gallic acid.
The bark is contraindicated in cardiac insufficiency and hypertonia; externally on broken skin. (Sharon M. Herr.)
Dosage Gall—1—3 g powder. (API, Vol. IV.)
Quillaja saponaria Molina.
Family Rosaceae.
Quisqualis indica Linn. 533
Habitat Indigenous to Chile
and Peru; introduced in India in Ootacamund.
English Soap Bark, Quillaia Bark.
