Latin Name: Betula alba
Alternate Names: Lady Of The Woods, White Birch
Family: BETULACEAE
Parts Used: Leaf buds, leaves, inner bark, sap.
Properties: Analgesic, Antibacterial, Anthelmintic, Antirheumatic, Astringent, Bitter Tonic, Diaphoretic, Diuretic, Febrifuge, Stimulant.
Internal Uses: Arthritis, Boils, Fever, Gout, Headache, Kidney Stones, Rheumatism, Worms
Internal Applications: Tea, Tincture, Capsules.
Only the leaves are antibacterial. Birch bark is being investigated for its anticancer potential, focusing on the betulinic acid content. Birch helps to cleanse the body of toxins, thin the blood, and relieve pain and inflammation.
Topical Uses: Acne, Bruises, Burns, Dandruff, Eczema, Leukorrhea, Psoriasis, Rheumatism, Sinus Congestion, Wounds
Topical Applications: Poultice for bruises, burns, eczema and wounds. Bath herb for skin eruptions. Liniment for rheumatism. Hair rinse for growth and dandruff. Shampoos, toothpaste, perfume, diluted oil on teething gums. Essential oil is used in salves and medicated soaps for eczema and psoriasis. Douche for Leukorrhea and facial steam for nasal congestion and acne.
Culinary uses: Vinegar and wine from sap. Sap can be cooked into a sweet syrup (but it takes 80-100 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup). Bark is used for beer. Inner bark has been dried and ground into a flour. Inner bark can be cut into thin strips and boiled with noodles. Young leaves and catkins can be added to salads.
Energetics: Bitter, Pungent, Cool, Dry.
Chemical Constituents: Saponins, essential oil (methyl salicylate), betulinic acid, tannin, flavonoids (hyperoside, luteolin, quercitin), bitter principle, glycosides.
Contraindications: Those hypersensitive to aspirin should avoid using Birch.
Comments: The word Birch is believed to be from the Sanskrit bhurga, meaning ‘tree whose bark can be written on’. The twigs are hardy and used in broom handle making, and also used to gently ‘beat’ people in saunas. Birch is also used to make canoes and baskets.
The common name Birch also includes the species Betula lenta, Betula pendula (Silver Birch), Betula fontinalis, and Betula papyrifera, which are used interchangeably with Betula alba (White Birch)