If you saved the water from leaching the acorns because you saw in the previous post that it can be used for medicine, then this post is for you. You are probably thinking that since I told you to save it that I should also tell you how to use it. Well I wouldn't leave you with those jars of acorn tea gathering dust like that. So here goes.
Most people know that tannins are somehow used to tan animal hides. What everybody doesn't know is the reason it works. Tannin is an astringent and that means that it is capable of tightening and drying tissues. If you put it on delicate skin like your face it would tighten your skin and dry it out. Usually an astringent used in cosmetics is very weak and made from alcohol or witch hazel. So with that in mind think about how it would work in medicine.
If you apply tannins to a wound on your skin it will do the same thing but since your acorn tea is very concentrated and not diluted like what's sold for an astringent in the drug store it is even more drying. It tightens the tissues. It dries up bleeding or other secretions. It draws a wound together, stops blood flow, reduces irritation and inflammation.
While the tannins tighten and stop bleeding or oozing from a wound or sore it also creates a barrier to prevent infection. It will reduce inflamed and irritated tissues and so promote healing as it blocks bacteria and fungus from making the injury worse.
If you had a cut or wound that is bleeding and won't stop applying tannins will help stop that blood loss. If you have someone that is severely burned it will dry the skin and prevent infection from entering while it continues to heal. Burn patients are at risk of septicemia which is actually more dangerous then the actual burn. Applying repeated washes of tannins help prevent it. Of course, if a doctor or hospital is available you would rush such a person to them for treatment. If you had no other choice then your acorn tea may just save their life while the tissues underneath have time to heal.
Another thing that happens with astringents is that as the skin tightens and dries it also draws out poisons and infections. It can be used for ulcerated skin, insect bites and bee stings or snake bites to draw out the poisons. It can be use for shrinking hemorrhoids or things like herpes. It may help with things like warts or ringworm.
It is not recommended to take tannins internally in great amounts or for long periods of times but it can be used in an emergency for diarrhea, dysentery or parasites like worms. Diarrhea and dysentery can weaken and eventually kill if it goes on too long especially when food and nutrients are already limited.
Hopefully, this information won't ever be needed but if there comes a time when there is no other medical help available It may save a life. The bonus is that its just the wastewater from processing your free acorns. So from one process you got food and medicine not to mention a product to help tan animal hides. Now don't you want to go gather some acorns?
I'm not giving medical advice just information for learning purposes. Decisions about how to use the information are entirely up to the individual. Be safe. Be smart.
Southern Wood Elf