Oak Nuts/Quercus, commonly known as Acorn, Chinquapin oak, Chinkapin oak, Yellow chestnut oak, English oak, or Pedunculate Oak, is a species of oak tree native to the Northern Hemisphere. It belongs to the beech family Fagaceae. An acorn is 1-6 cm long and 0.8-4 cm broad. It is widely cultivated in temperate climates and prefers slightly acidic and well-drained soils. Oak is considered as the national plant of the USA, France, England, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Serbia which represents endurance and strength.

It is an evergreen or deciduous tree or shrub which measures about 70 feet in height and 9 feet wide. The branches are of the tree measure 135 feet long. The leaves are simple, alternate, and arranged spirally. The flowers are monoecious, yellow to green, and about 1-3 inches long which are found during mid-spring. The tree produces nuts whose color ranges from green, brown to yellow. The nuts are round to tapered and 1/2-1 1/2 inches long. The seeds are usually one but could be two or three rarely with tough and leathery shells that are a cup-shaped cupule.

History

It is found in deciduous and evergreen species that extend from cool temperate to tropical latitudes in Europe, the Americas, Asia, and North Africa. A large number of Oak species are found in North America. The United States has 90 species, Mexico has 160 species but 109 are endemic. China is the second-highest in oak diversity containing about 100 species.

The oak was considered a sacred tree mostly to Druids. Besides the medicinal use of bark, it was used to tan leather and add flavor to the smoked fish. Formerly, Oak lumber was used for building naval fleets of the European nations. Since the Aztec empire time, it was used as an aid for diarrhea. Acorns were used as a staple food for Native Americans as well as for the wild animals during winter.

Nutritional value

28.35 grams of Oak nuts (raw) provides 110 calories, 7.91 g of moisture, 1.74 g of protein, 6.76 g of total fat, 0.38 g of ash, and 11.55 g of carbohydrate. It provides 19.56% of copper, 19.31% of total fat, 16.48% of manganese, 11.54% of vitamin B6, 8.88% of carbohydrate, 6.25% of folate, 4.84% of isoleucine, 4.77% of tryptophan, 4.64% of valine, 4.29% of magnesium and 4.06% of vitamin B5.

Health Benefits of Oak nuts

In early cultures, acorns were used as a vital dietary food. Acorns are widely used in various dishes by the Native Americans and Koreans. Acorns have a high amount of tannins due to which tastes bitter and unpleasant. It is used as a perfect substitute for coffee. Acorns could be made into flour and baked as muffins and bread. It is rich in carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

1. Healthy skin

Acorns have astringent properties that help to protect skin for which the tannins should be leached out from the acorns. The nuts should be boiled or soaked in water after that the water-rich in tannin should be applied topically to the skin that helps to ease rashes, burns, speeds up the healing process of wounds and cuts, lowers inflammation as well as burns. The topical application of this water helps to cure pains and aches. (1)

2. Assist digestion

Acorns have high amount of fiber that helps to enhance digestion health. Fiber assists in the regulation of bowel movements and treat diarrhea and constipation. It is helpful for people with cramps, irregular bowel movements, bloating, and gastrointestinal distress. (2)

3. Prevents diabetes

Acorns help to regulate the level of sugar, prevent harmful spikes as well as plunges of glucose that result in diabetes, and also treat it. It is possible due to the presence of complex carbohydrates and fiber content. (3)

4. Healthy heart

Acorns are the best choice for those who want to reduce the fat content in the body. It contains five times more unsaturated fat in comparison to saturated fats that help to enhance the total balance of cholesterol and also prevent atherosclerosis, obesity, and harmful conditions. (4)

5. Level of energy

Acorns have a high amount of complex carbohydrates that provide energy that is long-lasting. The nuts and flour are better than simple sugars of empty carbohydrates that provide the energy of short bursts. (5)

6. Healthy bones

Acorns have minerals such as potassium, calcium, phosphorus that helps to enhance the health of bones and also prevent the chances of osteoporosis. Calcium is the vital mineral that is essential for the mineral density of bones and is found inadequate amounts. (6)

7. Metabolic activities

The oak nuts are small in size but loaded with vitamin B such as thiamin, niacin, vitamin B12, and riboflavin. The intake of acorns helps to regulate the processes of enzymes which is essential for health. (7)

8. Assist healing

Acorns are rich in protein content which is vital for the production of new cells and tissues and also repairs the damaged areas by speeding up the healing process caused due to illness or injuries. (8)

Traditional uses

• It possesses anti-inflammatory, astringent, decongestant, antiseptic, tonic, and hemostatic properties.
• A decoction made from bark helps to treat chronic diarrhea, dysentery, hemorrhages, intermittent fevers, etc.
• It is used externally to bathe wounds, sweaty feet, skin eruptions, piles, etc.
• It is used as a vaginal douche for genital inflammations and washes for mouth and throat infections.
• The galls are used to treat hemorrhage, dysentery, chronic diarrhea, etc.
• It is used to treat spleen and gall bladder disorders.
• It is also used to treat diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and dysentery.
• It helps to treat inflammatory skin problems such as chilblains and frostbite.
• Oak is used in ayurvedic medicine to treat bronchitis to hemorrhaging, fever, gonorrhea, diabetes, and tonsillitis.
• The bark is used to treat chronic diarrhea, mucous discharge, and dysentery as well as lung catarrh.
• An infusion helps to treat external and internal hemorrhages, stomach, liver inflammation, and tuberculosis.
• It is also applied to nappy rash, burns, skin irritations, chilblains, weeping eczema, insect bites, contact dermatitis, and sweaty feet.
• The leaves are diuretic and help to strengthen the stomach.

Precautions

• The acorns and leaves of Oaktree are harmful due to the high amount of toxin tannic acid that could damage kidneys and gastroenteritis.
• The symptoms of poisoning are depression, lack of appetite, diarrhea, constipation, colic, and blood in the urine.
• After extracting tannins, acorns could be consumed.

How to Eat         

• Acorns are consumed as a food source.
• Japanese and Ancient Greek eat acorns during a famine.
• In Ancient Iberia, it was considered a staple food.
• Acorn meals are used in some recipes.
• In Korea, jelly is made from acorns and Korean noodles are made from starch or acorn flour.
• The seeds are roasted and chopped and roasted which is used as a substitute for almonds.
• The dried ones are used to thicken stews and combined with cereals to make bread.
• The roasted seeds are used as a substitute for coffee.

Other Facts

• The biggest tree of Oaks is found in Goose Island State Park which is about 45 feet tall and 35 feet wide with a crown having 90 feet in diameter.
• It absorbs 50 gallons of water per day.
• Female flowers are smaller than males.
• Acorns are produced at the age of 20-50 years.
• The animals such as pigeons, pigs, ducks, deer, mice, and squirrels consume acorns.
• Oak is the national plant of the USA, France, England, Poland, Germany, Latvia, and Serbia and it represents endurance and strength.
• The species of Oaks live for over 200 years but certain trees exists for more than a thousand years.
• A mature tree produces 2200 acorns in a year.
• The white oak is regarded as one of the tallest species of oak.
• The tallest White oak known till now is about 144 feet (44 meters) in height.

References

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