Oak has been used as a Quinine substitute in the treatment of fevers. Tannins provide many of the healing properties of oak. Tannins bind with proteins in tissues, making a barrier resistant to bacterial invasion. Tannins strengthen tissues and blood vessels.
The opposite term Occident derives from the Latin word occidens, meaning west (lit. setting < occido fall/set). This term meant the west (where the sun sets) but has fallen into disuse in English, in favor of Western world.
Occidental are native people from the western hemisphere (Europe, North America, South America) Oriental are native people from the eastern hemisphere (the countries of Asia), although Oriental is now largely consider an offensive word and the preferred word is Asian..