Hickory is a type of tree that is native to eastern North America. There are around 20 species of hickory that belong to the genus Carya.
Hickory trees produce hard, dense wood that is valued for making furniture, flooring, and other products.
In addition to its usefulness as a wood source, hickory may also have antimicrobial properties.
Key Takeaways
- Hickory trees have a long history of medicinal use by Native Americans, who used the bark and sap to treat infections.
- Research has confirmed that extracts from hickory bark have antimicrobial effects against bacteria like E. coli and fungi like Candida albicans.
- Specific antimicrobial compounds identified in hickory bark include phenolic acids like gallic acid and ellagic acid, as well as dihydrochalcones.
- Potential applications for hickory's antimicrobial properties could include natural preservatives for food, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and other consumer products.
- More research is needed to fully understand the antimicrobial abilities of the various hickory species and to isolate their active germ-fighting compounds.
- Hickory's antimicrobial benefits could make it useful for more than just its hard wood. The bark and sap may also have untapped health-promoting properties.
Traditional Medicinal Uses
Native Americans traditionally used hickory for more than just wood. They made a tea from the bark and leaves of some hickory species to treat coughs and sore throats.
Cherokee healers used a decoction of pignut hickory bark to treat throat infections.
The sap of hickory was applied topically by Iroquois people to treat skin conditions.
These traditional uses indicate that parts of the hickory tree may have antimicrobial effects against certain bacteria and fungi.
Evidence of Antimicrobial Activity
Modern scientific research has provided some evidence to support the traditional antimicrobial uses of hickory.
Extracts from the bark of shagbark hickory have shown antimicrobial activity in laboratory studies.
One study found that shagbark hickory bark extracts inhibited the growth of common disease-causing bacteria like E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Fungi like Candida albicans were also susceptible to the antimicrobial compounds in the bark extracts.
Antimicrobial Compounds
What gives hickory bark its germ-fighting power? Research has identified some of the specific antimicrobial compounds found in these extracts.
Phenolic acids like gallic acid and ellagic acid have been isolated from hickory bark.
These natural phenols are thought to be responsible for much of the antimicrobial activity.
Other antimicrobial compounds called dihydrochalcones have also been identified in hickory.
Potential Applications
The proof that hickory bark contains compounds with antimicrobial effects could lead to practical applications.
Hickory extracts could potentially be incorporated into soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and cleaning products to boost their ability to kill microbes.
Using hickory antimicrobials as natural preservatives in foods and other products is another possible use.
More research is still needed, but the antimicrobial activity of hickory bark shows promise.
