Botanical name: Quercus alba

Common names: Tanner's bark, white oak

White oak bark is an astringent. It's used as a tea for arthritis, diarrhea, colds, fever, cough, and bronchitis; for stimulating appetite; and for improving digestion. Some people apply oak bark directly to the skin in a compress or add it to bath water for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the skin, and for red itchy skin due to cold exposure (chilblains).