Aleppo oak - Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris (A. Kern.) Meikle - Δρυς - Δρυς η βαφική - Cyprus

Quercus infectoria (Aleppo oak) is a species of oak, bearing galls that have been traditionally used for centuries in Asia medicinally.

Quercus infectoria or locally known as Manjakani in Malaysia is a small tree native of Greece and Asia Minor.  The stems are crooked, shrubby looking with smooth and bright-green leaves borne on short petioles of 1 to 1.5 inches long. The leaves are bluntly mucronate, rounded, smooth, unequal at the base and shiny on the upper side. Meanwhile,Quercus infectoria galls are corrugated and can be used as a thickener in stews or mixed with cereals for making bread

The galls arise on young branches of this tree as a result of attacks by gall wasps.

Also known as Majuphal in Indian traditional medicine, manjakani has been used as dental powder and in the treatment of toothache and gingivitis.

The so-called "Aleppo tannin" is Tannic acid gained from Aleppo oak galls, which displays unique chemical properties essential in the preparation of gold sols (colloids) used as markers in Immunocytochemistry.

Nowadays, gallnut extracts are also widely used in pharmaceuticals, food and feed additives, dyes, inks, and metallurgy.

The galls of Quercus infectoria have also been pharmacologically documented to possess astringent, antidiabetic, antitremorine, local anaesthetic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal,larvicidal  and anti-inflammatory  activities. The main constituents found in the galls of Quercus infectoria are tannin (50-70%) and small amount of free gallic acid and ellagic acid.

The wide range of pharmacological activities of this plant might support the efficacy of extract preparation of Quercus infectoria that are widely used in Malaysia for treating many kinds of health problems since many decades ago. The nutgalls have been pharmacologically documented on their antiamoebic, anticariogenic  and anti-inflammatory  activities, to treat skin infections and gastrointestinal disorders. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

.Photos Korfi 29/8/2015 by George Konstantinou

Quercus infectoria subsp. veneris at Kormakitis, photos  28/3/2016 by George Konstantinou