White Ash Bark (Fraxinus excelsior) is also known as
Ash Bark and encompasses over 70 species of
tree in North America. The timber of the tree is famous in it's use in baseball
bats, hockey sticks and airplanes. The bark contains the bitter glucoside Fraxin,
the bitter substance Fraxetin, tannin, quercetin, mannite, a little volatile
oil, gum, malic acid, free and combined with calcium.
In Chinese medicine it is associated with the liver, gall bladder and large
intestine meridians. It has been considered useful to remove obstructions of the
liver and spleen, and in rheumatism of an arthritic nature. In western
applications, White Ash Bark is used with other herbs to treat both acute and chronic
forms of dysentery and diarrhea, and to reduce swelling and pain. White Ash Bark
decoctions have been shown to inhibit the activity of several types of bacteria.
A decoction of White Ash Bark can also be used as an eyewash to reduce soreness and
redness.
The typical recommended dose of ash bark is 6 to 12 grams pre day, ground into a
powder and mixed with water as a decoction. Larger amounts can be used as an
eyewash and if ash bark is being applied topically.
