How Much Do We Know about Tannic acid?

What is that?

Tannic acid is found in the nutgalls formed by insects on twigs of certain oak trees (Quercus infectoria and other Quercus species). It is removed and used as medicine.

Historically, tannic acid was used along with activated charcoal and magnesium oxide in the “universal antidote,” formerly used for poisoning. These three ingredients in combination were believed to work better at absorbing poisons than any of the ingredients alone. Unfortunately, the activated charcoal soaked up the tannic acid, more or less inactivating it. This made the combination less effective.

These days, people apply tannic acid directly to the affected area to treat cold sores and fever blisters, diaper rash and prickly heat, poison ivy, ingrown toenails, sore throat, sore tonsils, spongy or receding gums, and skin rashes; and to stop bleeding.

Tannic acid is also taken by mouth and applied directly for bleeding, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, bloody urine, painful joints, persistent coughs, and cancer.

Vaginally, tannic acid is used as a douche for white or yellowish discharge (leukorrhea).

In foods and beverages, tannic acid is used as a flavoring agent.

In manufacturing, tannic acid is used in ointments and suppositories for the treatment of hemorrhoids; for tanning hides and manufacturing ink; and to kill dust mites on furniture.

What foods are high in tannic acid?

Commercial tannic acid is usually extracted from any of the following plant parts: Tara pods (Caesalpinia spinosa), gallnuts from Rhus semialata or Quercus infectoria or Sicilian sumac leaves (Rhus coriaria).

Tannic acid is a complex polyphenolic organic structure (Cheng et al., 2023b) found in various plant extracts and common dietary sources such as fruits, wine, beer, teas, coffee, grains, and nuts .

Is tannic acid safe for humans?

When taken by mouth: Tannic acid is LIKELY SAFE when used in the amounts found in foods. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe when used in larger, medicinal amounts. Very large amounts of tannic acid can cause stomach irritation, nausea, and vomiting.

Benefits and uses Nowadays, tannic acid is applied topically for the treatment of cold sores, diaper rash, fever blisters and poison ivy. Tannic acid is also taken by mouth and applied directly for bleeding, chronic diarrhea, dysentery, bloody urine, painful joints, persistent coughs, and cancer.

Uses

Possibly Ineffective for...

• Cold sores and fever blisters.
• Diaper rash.
• Minor burn or sunburn.
• Prickly heat.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Cancer.
• Swollen tonsils.
• Ingrown toenails.
• Poison ivy.
• Thinning gums.
• Sore throat.
• Other conditions.

Who should avoid tannins?

Some studies suggest that high doses of tannic acid may have hepatotoxic effects, potentially exacerbating liver issues. If you have a history of liver problems, it is advisable to consult with a healthcare professional to determine if tannic acid is safe for you. Dental health can also be affected by tannic acid.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of tannic acid depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for tannic acid. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

In conclusion, tannic acid has great potential and is constantly being explored for its numerous health benefits.  Aogubio's commitment to developing nutraceuticals, supplements and products for various industries using tannic acid underscores the company's commitment to harnessing the power of natural substances to improve human health. As research and understanding of tannic acid continues to evolve, it’s clear that powerful tannic acid holds great promise for the future of natural health.

Miranda Zhang