Betula, Birch tree

Picture Parkinson, Theatrum Botanicum, 1640

Picture Kreutterbuch, Matthiolus, 1586

Picture 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:


Leaf or Bark in Decoction: 3–9 grams

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)
  • Extra Info
  • Research
Medicinal plants of the genus Betula–traditional uses and a phytochemical-pharmacological review.