Medicinal Properties and Uses of Tannins
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Tannins occur in crude drugs either as major active constituent as in oak bark, hammamelis leaves, and bearberry leaves, etc. or as a subsidiary component as in clove, cinnamon, peppermint, or garden sage.
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES AND USES
Tannins occur in crude drugs either as major active constituent
as in oak bark, hammamelis leaves, and bearberry leaves, etc. or as a
subsidiary component as in clove, cinnamon, peppermint, or garden sage. In many
cases, they synergistically
increase the effectiveness of active principles. Tannins are medicinally
significant due to their astringent properties. They promote rapid healing and
the formation of new tissues on wounds and inflamed mucosa. Tannins are used in
the treatment of varicose ulcers, haemorrhoids, minor burns, frostbite, as well
as inflammation of gums. Internally tannins are administered in cases of diarrhoea,
intestinal catarrh, and in cases of heavy metal poisoning as an antidote. In
recent years, these compounds have demonstrated their antiviral activities for
treatment of viral diseases including AIDS. Tannins are used as mordant in
dyeing, manufacture of ink, sizing paper and silk, and for printing fabrics. It
is used along with gelatine and albumin for manufacture of imitation horn and
tortoise shell. They are widely used in the leather industry for conversion of
hide into leather, the process being known as tanning. Tannins are also used
for clarifying beer or wine, in photography or as a coagulant in rubber
manufacture. Tannins are used for the manufacture of gallic acid and
pyrogallol, and sometimes as a reagent in analytical chemistry.
