OAKS GALLS/GALL NUTS

Item: OAKS GALLS/GALL NUTS
Botanical name: Quercus infectoria

Gall nuts, also known as gallstones or oak galls, are abnormal growths that occur on oak trees (Quercus species) in response to the larvae of certain wasp species, such as the gall wasp (Cynips quercusfolii).
Gall nuts have been valued for their medicinal, cosmetic, and industrial uses for thousands of years, with records of their use dating back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Chinese.

Gall nuts have a variety of uses, including:

1. Tanning leather: The high tannin content in gall nuts makes them useful for tanning leather.
2. Natural dye: They are an essential ingredient in making oak gall ink and can also be combined with iron to produce gray, purple and black shades on textile fibers.

   3. Traditional medicine: Gall nuts have been mainly used in traditional medicines including oriental, Chinese Kampo and Ayurveda medicine more than 1000 years.

   4. Ink production: Gall nuts were historically used to produce iron gall ink, a type of ink used for writing and art.

3. Pharmaceuticals: infectoria gall nuts are believed to have antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal and antiparasitic properties. They can be used in the treatment of nosocomial infections, periodontitis and tooth decay

These uses highlight the versatility of gall nuts and their value in various industries and applications.