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winter birches
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| Common Names |
| Birch , White Birch, Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch |
| Botanical Name |
| Betula alba |
| Family |
| BETULACEAE Birch Family |
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Related Species |
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Black birch, B. lenta |
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Aches & Pains *
Cancer *
Eczema *
Kidney *
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| Parts Used: Bark, leaves |
| Constituents:Buds: volatile oil which includes the camphor-like betulin. Young leaves: rich in saponins; also a flavonoid derivative, hyperoside resin, tannins, sesquiterpenes, betuloventic acid, vitamin C. Bark: betulinol and a glycoside |
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Teas of the birch bark contain salicylate, the compound in aspirin. Salicylate relieves inflammation and pain associated with associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or gout. The antibacterial and anti-inflammatory actions of birch bark support it's traditional uses in skin disorders such as eczema. The bark is also used as an antibacterial diuretic in the treatment of urinary tract infections and water retention. |
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Prep Methods :
 Remedies using Birch
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 The American species Betula lenta, (Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch) oil is almost identical with Wintergreen oil, but is not as toxic. |
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| Gout, kidneys | | The leaves have a peculiar, aromatic, agreeable odor and a bitter taste, and have been employed in the form of infusion (Birch Tea) in gout, rheumatism and dropsy, and recommended as a reliable solvent of stone in the kidneys. 345
(Grieve, Maude ) | | Skin Care, eczema | | The oil of Birch is astringent, and is mainly employed for its curative effects in skin affections, especially eczema 979
(Grieve, Maude ) | | Inflammation, pain | | Birch contains salicylate, the compound used to make aspirin. Salicylate deters the body's production of certain prostaglandins that are linked to inflammation, pain, and fever among other things. 365
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Anti-tumor properties | | Betulin and betulinic acid, both present in birch bark display some anticancer and anti-tumor properties. 901
(Duke, James A, Ph.D. ) | | Urinary infection, kidney stones | | Birch-leaf tea is a powerful diuretic capable of dissolving kidney and bladder stones. It also kills off harmful bacteria in the kidneys and urinary tract. To obtain the full diuretic effect herbalists add a pinch of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to the infusion which promotes the extraction of the diuretic hyperoside. 1235
(Mabey, Richard p32) |
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Koehler's Medicinal-Plants 1887
 The birch is a soft-wood tree native to cold, northerly climates. The name is a very ancient one, probably derived from the Sanscrit bhurga, 'a tree whose bark is used for writing upon.' Coleridge speaks of it as the 'Lady of the Woods'. It is remarkable for its lightness, grace and elegance, and after a rain it has a fragrant odor. (Grieve, M.)
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 The graceful birch has been immensely useful to northern peoples. They have made wheels, hoops for casks, brooms and switches from its wood.
The sap, preserved with cloves and cinnamon, was once taken to treat skin diseases like acne as well as rheumatism and gout.
Mabey, Richard ,32 |
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