Betula, Birch tree
Common Birch, Paper Birch, White or Silver Birch
Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640
Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586
Flora von Deutschland (10), Kohler, 1882
Botanical name:
Betula alba
Parts used:
Leaves, bark, buds
Temperature & Taste:
Warm, dry. Bitter
dissolve, open, attenuate, cleanse
Uses:
1. Clears Damp, Promotes Urine:
-purges Water, good for Edema;
-the Sap breaks Stones
2. Clears Wind and Damp, Eases Pain:
-Gout, chronic Arthritis, Rheumatism, Neuralgia and Muscle pain
3. Clears Liver Heat:
-Headache, Hypertension
-Acne, Eczema, Psoriasis and Herpes
-Breast cysts and Tumors; it has been use for Cancer, especially of the Breast (bark)
4. Externally:
-used for Scabs (int. and ext.); the Sap of the bark cleanses the skin also
-gargle for Sore Throat or Mouth
-applied to Warts
-leaf decoction used as a hair tonic, dandruff, to promote hair growth
-in douches for Leukorrhea
Dose:
Bark in Decoction: 3–9 grams. In the treatment of Cancer, up to 150–200 grams daily will be required to yield the required amount of betulin
Leaf or Buds in Decoction: 6–12 grams, up to 20 grams.
Expressed juice of the Leaf: 5–30 mls.
Tincture of the Bark (1:5 in 40% alcohol): 2–5 mls, 2–3 times daily
Of the Sap (preserved with an equal part of 25% alcohol): 10–20 mls. The fresh sap is taken in small cupful doses, 2–4 times daily for a month or more when used as a tonic; A wine is also prepared from the sap.
Main Combinations:
1. Edema, Birch leaf, Strawberry leaf, Horsetail, German Camomile, Hawthorn, Corn Silk. (this was found to be an effective diuretic: see here)
2. Kidney stones, Birch leaf, Dandelion, Nettle, Camomile
3. Scanty, painful or cloudy urine, with Couch grass, Celery seed, Juniper berry
4. Kneipps Water Search Tea: with Sassafras, Rosemary, Rosehip, Nettle, Dwarf Elder, Horsetail, Juniper, Rue, Mistletoe, Sandalwood, Trifolium
5. Rheumatic pain: Birch leaf, Juniper, Nettle, Elder flower, Dandelion
6. Gout:
i. Birch leaf, Nettle, Bean pods, Horsetail, Juniper berry
ii. Birch bark, Willow bark, Couch grass, Meadowsweet, Juniper berry
iii. Birch Bark, Devil’s Claw, Nettle
7. Gout and Rheumatism, Birch leaf, Bittersweet, Alder Buckthorn (Frangula), Guaiacum (Kroeber)
8. Arthritis, Birch bark with Knotgrass, Mistletoe, Comfrey
9. Spring Cure, Birch leaf, Raspberry leaf, Blackberry leaf, Black Currant leaf (Meyer)
10. Douche for vaginal discharge, leukorrhea: Birch leaf, Sage, Plantain leaf, Oak bark
Main Formulas:
Infusion for Rheumatoid Arthritis
Cautions:
Generally safe.
Main Preparations used:
Sap which oozes from the bark when cut in Spring; Water Distilled from the Juice
Birch Water
‘In May peirce a hole in a Birch-tree, and set under a Glass or any other Vessell, and there will come forth water, and that water you shall distill in a Alembic. The water is good for all Wounds dressed therwith, and Clouts wet therein, and laid upon the Wound, the water dries all open Soars, if it be laid thereon.’ (Natura exenterata, Philiatros, 1655)
-Birch Tar Oil is said to be almost identical to Wintergreen Oil, and is used as an admixture, adulterant, or substitute. It is collected after destructive distillation of the bark and is used in making Russian leather. It has also been found very useful in ointments for various skin diseases. It is also an insect repellant.
-The wood was burned during the pestilence, being only second to Juniper wood in this respect. The young bark was used for paper in old times.
-A cradle made of Birch wood was believed to give protection as well as giving the baby an auspicious start to their life.
-Birch twigs were burnt to cleanse and purify.
-Oil of Birch was used in Love Magic. Candles can be anointed with Birch oil for this purpose.
-“And in our time also the Schoolmasters and parents do terrify their children with rods made of Birch”. (Gerard)
-The Russians have a saying, “As graceful as a Birch”.
