Betula, Birch tree

Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640

Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

Flora von Deutschland (10), Kohler, 1882

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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


Main Combinations:
1. Kidney stones, Birch leaf, Dandelion, Nettle, Camomile
2. Scanty, painful or cloudy urine, with Couch grass, Celery seed, Juniper berry
3. Kneipps Water Search Tea:  with Sassafras, Rosemary, Rosehip, Nettle, Dwarf Elder, Horsetail, Juniper, Rue, Mistletoe, Sandalwood, Trifolium
4. Rheumatic pain: Birch leaf, Juniper, Nettle, Elder flower, Dandelion
5. 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
6. Gout and Rheumatism, Birch leaf, Bittersweet, Alder Buckthorn (Frangula), Guaiacum (Kroeber)
7. Arthritis, Birch bark with Knotgrass, Mistletoe, Comfrey
8. Spring Cure, Birch leaf, Raspberry leaf, Blackberry leaf, Black Currant leaf (Meyer)
9. 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