Quercus alba

White oak/Drug Interactions:

  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: Concomitant use of hepatotoxic drugs and white oak should be avoided due to possible additive side effects.
  • Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: Tannins found in white oak may theoretically have adverse effects on the kidneys; plants with at least 10% tannins can cause kidney damage (2; 3).

    • White oak/Herb/Supplement Interactions:

  • CalciumCalcium: White oak also contains the minerals manganese, calcium, iron, and zinc.
  • Hepatotoxic agentsHepatotoxic agents: Concomitant use of hepatotoxic agents and white oak should be avoided due to possible additive side effects.
  • IronIron: Theoretically, concomitant administration may precipitate iron salts due to tannin content.
  • ManganeseManganese: White oak also contains the minerals manganese, calcium, iron, and zinc.
  • Nephrotoxic agentsNephrotoxic agents: Tannins found in white oak may theoretically have adverse effects on the kidneys; plants with at least 10% tannins can cause kidney damage (2; 3).
  • Tannin-containing agentsTannin-containing agents: Theoretically, herbs or supplements with a high tannin percentage may cause precipitation of constituents of other herbs.
  • QuercetinQuercetin: The primary chemical constituents of oak bark include tannins (phlobatannin, ellagitannins, gallic acid), gallotannins, and quercetin.
  • ZincZinc: White oak also contains the minerals manganese, calcium, iron, and zinc.

    • White oak/Food Interactions:

  • PeanutPeanut: Caution is advised with ingesting peanuts because of potential cross-hypersensitivity to white oak. There is one case report of a patient who experienced an anaphylactic reaction after eating acorn nuts, fruit of the holm oak (Quercus ilex) (6). The patient also had several urticaria episodes upon ingestion of peanuts. Skin-prick tests were strongly positive with acorn and peanut.

    • White oak/Lab Interactions:

  • Liver function testsLiver function tests: Theoretically, white oak may alter liver function test results due to purported hepatotoxic potential.
  • Renal function testsRenal function tests: Theoretically, white oak may alter renal function test results due to purported nephrotoxic potential.