Quercus infectoria

Quercus infectoria, commonly known as Aleurates or Oak Gall, is a potent medicinal plant prized for its high tannin content. Historically used in traditional medicine, it possesses significant astringent, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Today, it remains a vital natural resource for treating skin conditions and promoting oral health.

  • Scientific name: Quercus infectoria
  • Family: Fagaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fagales, it is a member of the Fagaceae family. Finally, it is identified by its genus name, Quercus.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Fagales WCVP
Family Fagaceae WCVP
Genus Quercus WCVP

Distribution

This plant, known as Quercus infectoria, exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several key regions. In Southeastern Europe, it can be found growing in Greece. Its range extends into the Caucasus, specifically within the Transcaucasus region. In Western Asia, the species is distributed across Cyprus and the East Aegean Islands. Furthermore, the plant is also documented to grow in Iran.

Region Area Source
Southeastern Europe Greece WCVP
Caucasus Transcaucasus WCVP
Western Asia Cyprus WCVP
Western Asia East Aegean Is. WCVP
Western Asia Iran WCVP
Western Asia Iraq WCVP
Western Asia Lebanon-Syria WCVP
Western Asia Palestine WCVP
Western Asia Türkiye WCVP

Chemicals

Quercus infectoria has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 26 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ellagic acid, flavonoids, gallic acid, steroids, tannin.

Total chemicals
20
Scientific sources
26

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
ellagic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
gallic acid 2 ★☆☆☆☆
steroids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tannin 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
L-tyrosine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Nyctanthic acid 1 ★☆☆☆☆
gallotannin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
galloyl-HHDP-glucose 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Quercus infectoria has 13 reported activities identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Anticancer, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anthelmintic.

Total activities
13
Scientific sources
16

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Anticancer 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antibacterial 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticoagulant 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiparasitic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antitumor 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Quercus infectoria has 28 reported medicinal uses identified across 30 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Staphylococcus aureus, diarrhea, Acinetobacter baumannii, Blastocystis hominis, Candida albicans.

Total uses
28
Scientific sources
30

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Staphylococcus aureus 2 ★☆☆☆☆
diarrhea 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Acinetobacter baumannii 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Blastocystis hominis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Candida albicans 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Enterococcus faecalis 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Escherichia coli 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Oral cancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Pseudomonas aeruginosa 1 ★☆☆☆☆