{"id":77640,"date":"2025-04-25T11:34:51","date_gmt":"2025-04-25T10:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=77640"},"modified":"2025-11-02T10:37:17","modified_gmt":"2025-11-02T10:37:17","slug":"birch","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/birch\/","title":{"rendered":"Birch"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":77656,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"6b4fbee3-34ce-463a-9298-58057d00a9d6","beyondwords_preview_token":"227f106a-c966-4183-ae25-90bc0e914e86","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[694,685,699,700,697],"sustainability":[1576],"sense":[31,18,786],"western_action":[989,990,992,993,994,1824,1132,996,1000,1001,1004,1006,1007,1008,1013,1826,1025],"chinese_action":[],"ayurvedic_action":[],"energetics_action":[1499,1498,1382,1487,1379,1497,1496],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-77640","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-cardiovascular-system","conditions-digestive-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-skin","conditions-urinary-system","sustainability-green-sustainability-status","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-cooling","western_action-alterative","western_action-analgesic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-antipruritic","western_action-antipyretic","western_action-antirheumatic","western_action-astringent","western_action-bitter","western_action-cholagogue-and-choleretic","western_action-depurative","western_action-diaphoretic","western_action-diuretic","western_action-hepatic","western_action-lymphatic","western_action-vulnerary","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-bitter","energetics_action-cool","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-hot","energetics_action-pungent","energetics_action-sour","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20250404","herb_author":1932,"banner_text":"Silver birch is a strong depurative and diuretic herb","latin_name":"Betula lenta<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>B. alba<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>B. pendula<\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"Betulaceae","herb_summary":"Through bile stimulation and diuresis, birch cleanses the digestive and urinary systems, adding benefit to skin conditions. The anti-arthritic action involves reducing inflammatory markers and aiding elimination of uric acid.","key_benefits":"Anti-inflammatory \r\nAnti-arthritic \r\nDetoxifying \r\nAnalgesic \r\nLymphatic \r\nDiuretic \r\nUrinary antiseptic ","how_does_it_feel":"The elegance of all parts of the tree, the smooth texture of the leaves and the silvery white of the bark of a young <\/span>Betula alba<\/span><\/i> give the impression of potentially calming, cleansing and cooling actions. Sensations evoked on tasting the tea, sap, tincture or juice are each slightly different. The tea has an astringency but is not particularly bitter and the sweeter sap is mildly pleasant. There is a very bitter yet slightly spicy taste to the tincture, ending in astringency. Whereas the juice of the leaves has a pungent and sour element, followed by a cooling after effect. While the scent of the tea is faint by comparison with other preparations, the juice of the leaves has a strong, sour astringency.<\/span>","hdif_image_1":77659,"hdif_image_2":77662,"hdif_image_3":77656,"hdif_video":"https:\/\/youtu.be\/iRAK6MEp9-A","sense":[31,18,786],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_77662\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"545\"]\"Birch Birch (Betula alba<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nBirch may be used to treat urinary Infections, and inflammation of the urinary passage (1). The diuretic action is further known for aiding elimination of uric acid, so is of benefit to those suffering from gout. This herb is especially indicated for arthritic disease as it can relieve rheumatic and arthritic pain and reduce swelling (2). Fibromyalgia can also respond well to the inclusion of birch in the prescription, with birch easing both myalgia and neuralgia (3).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn promoting detoxification, the herb releases retained metabolic waste thereby helping to improve cellulitis (4). Birch bud can be given to reduce swollen lymph glands, whereas the bark is considered more active on the liver, stimulating bile flow and relieving constipation (5).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe diuretic, diaphoretic and anti-inflammatory actions of birch are also of value in the treatment of skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis (5). External applications can accelerate healing of wounds and sores. With stimulant properties aiding hair growth, birch is included in treatments for alopecia (6).\u00a0<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"[caption id=\"attachment_77659\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"537\"]\"Birch Birch (Betula alba<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nThe bright, clean appearance of the young silver bark is fitting for revealing the tree\u2019s cleansing properties. Yet, the patterns of darker markings which over time, often develop into diamond shapes suggest a complexity of action. This is borne out by different uses and variations for the sap, resinous buds, elegant triangular, tooth-edged young leaves, delicate twigs and inner bark. The tree has proved itself to be adaptable, often growing quickly as a pioneer tree in challenging situations. <\/span>Betula alba<\/span><\/i> is a tree of youth giving spring harvests but is generally not long-lived, reaching only 80\u2013100 years (7). <\/span>Betula lenta<\/span><\/i> may live for twice that time (8).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nBirch is more often seen as cooling, especially with use of the leaves in cooling eruptive and inflammatory conditions. The catkins and bark, however, are noted to have more heating qualities (9). The bark of <\/span>Betula lenta<\/span><\/i> is distilled to make wintergreen essential oil known for its anti-inflammatory properties especially for joint pain, muscle aches and inflammatory skin conditions. The oil also has potent antimicrobial actions and can be used for helping to treat infections (10). <\/span>","tradtional_uses":"[caption id=\"attachment_77662\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"542\"]\"Birch Birch (Betula alba<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nTraditional use has emphasised the importance of the sap for urinary diseases and conditions including stones, gravel and dropsy. This was to be tapped from the tree in February or early March. Precise details on the method of tapping and ways to preserve the sap, such as pouring olive oil over the surface, are given in traditional herbals. The sap from the branches was often recommended in place of the trunk. This instruction was further refined to branches not thicker than three inches, by the nineteenth century (11,12). Wine from the sap has been valued for centuries and was made by adding sugar, honey or raisins and bringing the liquor to the boil, before cooling a little and adding yeast (11).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn the 17th and 18th centuries, both the juice of the leaves and the sap were recommended as effective for dissolving <\/span>kidney and bladder stones<\/span><\/a>. The sap was also recommended for relieving scurvy and jaundice. It was noted that large doses of the sap were laxative (11,13). The distilled sap was specifically valued for dissolving kidney and bladder stones (9,12). Enthusiasm for the cleansing action through diuresis extended to appreciation of birch as beneficial for dropsy, the itch (used both internally and externally), gravel, blood in the urine and inability to pass urine (14). The leaves and bark were decocted to be used as a wash to cleanse skin eruptions (11,13).<\/span>\r\n\r\nTraditional use for the urinary system and skin is strong in Britain, but the wider applications of birch for treating rheumatism, arthritis and gout appear to be adopted from Eastern Europe in the twentieth century (7). Alma Hutchens records the Russian use of the steam bath with leaves set over hot rocks using the cleansing properties of the moist vapour, followed by thrashing the body with birch twigs. Birch buds were preserved in vodka to treat colds, liver and gall stones and rheumatism (15). Various birch species were used by Native Americans and the black birch twigs, sap and inner bark by Canadian First Nations (5,16). It has recorded use in the nineteenth century for colds, scrofula and sores (17).\u00a0<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"[caption id=\"attachment_77661\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"542\"]\"Birch Birch (Betula alba<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

Circulatory system<\/h3>\r\nBirch has lipid-lowering and antioxidant effects<\/span> that are thought to lower <\/span>high cholesterol<\/span><\/a> (6).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Digestive system<\/h3>\r\nBy stimulating the flow of bile and dissolving deposits, birch relieves liver congestion and <\/span>constipation<\/span><\/a> (5). This additionally benefits chronic skin conditions and coupled with diuresis acts as a systemic detoxifier.\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Musculoskeletal system<\/h3>\r\nThe salicylates in birch offer short term analgesia and further cleansing effects through its diuretic action and stimulation of digestion. It is thought that rather than simply clearing excess fluid, birch also removes accumulated waste products from the body. This indicates birch in the treatment of rheumatic diseases. Birch helps to clear uric acid and is often incorporated into a herbalist\u2019s treatment programme for <\/span>osteoarthritis<\/span><\/a> (1,18).<\/span>\r\n

Urinary system<\/h3>\r\nAn infusion of birch leaf extracts has been found to be effective as a diuretic which produces both increased urine excretion and increased electrolyte elimination. Aqueous extracts of the leaves were found to be more effective than alcoholic extracts. Additionally, birch also acts as a <\/span>urinary antiseptic<\/span><\/a> (1).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Skin andhair<\/h3>\r\nThe depurative, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and antiparasitic properties of birch have long encouraged use for treating skin conditions ranging from <\/span>eczema<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>psoriasis<\/span><\/a> to scabies. Dandruff and alopecia have also benefited from birch treatment as it promotes and strengthens hair growth (3,5). More recently, research has been carried out to explore the role of betulinic acid in supporting various types of cancer including breast, bladder and gastric. <\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_77665\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"542\"]\"Birch Birch tincture (Betula alba<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nLimited clinical studies have been carried out on the effect of birch, a review of its uses has been included below. Leaves of <\/span>Betula pendula, B. pubescens <\/span><\/i>and <\/span>B. verrucosa<\/span><\/i> have a positive assessment in the Commission E statement for treating bacterial and inflammatory diseases of the efferent urinary passages, renal gravel, and rheumatic complaints (1).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Medicinal plants of the genus <\/span>Betula<\/span><\/i>\u2014traditional uses and a phytochemical-pharmacological review<\/span><\/h3>\r\nA review of medicinal plants of the genus <\/span>Betula<\/span><\/i>, looking at the traditional uses, and phytochemical-pharmacological aspects has been undertaken. Rastogi, Pandey and Rawat found that seven different <\/span>Betula <\/span><\/i>species have been documented for their traditional uses. Several of these have been found to be potentially useful in treating degenerative joint disease. Antiarthritic and anticancer actions are the two major areas of research conducted on these species.\u00a0There is convincing evidence in experimental animal models to support their anticarcinogenic effects. It was concluded that further investigation of biochemical and physiological mechanisms, bioavailability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of active extracts is worthwhile (19).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

An aqueous birch leaf extract of Betula pendula inhibits the growth and cell division of inflammatory lymphocytes<\/span><\/h3>\r\nAn in vitro study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of birch leaf extract in the traditional role of treating rheumatoid and osteoarthritis (RA and OA, respectively). Activated lymphocytes play a major role in the initiation and maintenance of RA. Aqueous leaf extracts of <\/span>Betula pendula <\/span><\/i>were used on human primary lymphocytes in this in vitro study to determine whether these extracts would inhibit the growth and cell division of inflammatory lymphocytes. Results showed that leaf extracts inhibited the growth and cell division of activated, but not of resting T lymphocytes in a significant dose-dependent manner.\u00a0It was concluded that there is a rational basis for the use of <\/span>Betula pendula<\/span><\/i> leaf extract for the treatment of immune disorders, like RA r, by diminishing proliferating inflammatory lymphocytes (20).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Betulinic acid restricts human bladder cancer cell proliferation in vitro by inducing caspase-dependent cell death and cell cycle arrest, and decreasing metastatic potential<\/span><\/h3>\r\nBetulinic acid found in the bark of birch has been found to exhibit anti-tumour effects which have been explored in studies with several cancers. This in vitro study aims to identify the underlying mechanism of action for the antiproliferative effect of the acid in human bladder cancer cell lines. Betulinic acid was prepared as a 10 mg\/mL solution in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and applied to bladder cancer cell lines at concentrations of 5\u201330\u202f\u03bcg\/mL for between 24\u201372 hours. Findings included observations of betulinic acid decreasing the expression of cell cycle regulators and causing loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. These led to the conclusion that betulinic acid suppresses proliferation of human bladder cancer cells by inducing apoptosis, necrosis and cell cycle arrest, thus decreasing migration and invasion (21).<\/span>\r\n

Treatment of actinic keratoses with birch bark extract: A pilot study<\/h3>\r\nA pilot study was carried out on treatment of actinic keratoses using birch bark extract by Huyke and colleagues. Twenty-eight patients were enrolled on this controlled study, using either birch bark ointment as a monotherapy, or birch bark ointment with cryotherapy for 50% of the patients. The bark contains betulinic acid, betulin, oleanolic acid and lupeol. These are known to be apoptosis-inducing and contain anti-inflammatory\u00a0constituents. More than 75% of lesions cleared for 79% of patients with birch bark ointment alone. The combined treatment gave a 93% success rate. It was concluded that standardised birch bark ointment was effective and had no side effects (22).<\/span>\r\n

From a traditional medicinal plant to a rational drug: Understanding the clinically proven wound healing efficacy of birch bark extract<\/span><\/h3>\r\nA preclinical study combined of both in vitro and ex vivo research was carried out to examine the\u00a0 traditional use of birch bark for wound healing. The aim was to explore the molecular mechanism of this proven effect. Birch bark was prepared in sunflower oil at a ratio of 10% or dissolved in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at a concentration of between 1\u201310 \u03bcg\/mL over a period of 24\u201348 hours.. The triterpene extract and botulin were shown to cause transient up-regulation of several pro-inflammatory mediators, including cytokines, chemokines and cyclooxygenase-2 on gene and protein level. They were also shown to enhance migration of keratinocytes, essential for the second phase of wound healing. It was concluded that the results, together with proven clinical efficacy, identify birch bark as having a high potential to improve wound healing (23).<\/span>","did_you_know":"The fungus <\/span>Fomes fomentarius<\/span><\/i> is commonly found growing on birch trees in Britain. It contains polyporic acid which is active against certain mycobacteria (24). Sweet birch oil from <\/span>Betula lenta<\/span><\/i> has been used in dentistry products for the large amounts of methyl salicylate it contains. <\/span>Betula<\/span><\/i> alba <\/span><\/i>is associated with the youthful form of the white goddess, who presides over birth and initiation in Welsh tradition<\/span> (7).<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":77671},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"Young deciduous silver birch trees are fast growing with shallow roots. They can reach up to 30 m high when fully grown. As tissue-like layers of bark are discarded, the smooth, silver appearance becomes fissured with black lines, eventually often leaving raised white diamond shaped areas. With age, the slender, elegant branches tend to hang down. The twigs are smooth but may have dark warty growths. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe male catkins form in autumn and mature in spring before the leaves open. Often, the smaller female catkins pass unnoticed as they may be slightly higher than the males on new growth. After pollination they turn red and produce seed. Birch leaves have a triangular shape with a toothed edge and are thin, light and smooth. The leaf buds are resinous (32).<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe North American black or cherry birch <\/span>Betula lenta,<\/span><\/i> has bark ranging from greyish black to dark red or dark brown, marked with horizontal lines and vertical cracks similarl to <\/span>Betula alba<\/span><\/i>. It resembles a wild cherry tree, giving the common name of cherry birch. The oval, finely toothed leaves are alternate, with tufts of white hair on the undersides. The catkins and twigs are hairless. Male and female flowers are found on the same tree. This birch can live for up to 200 years (8).<\/span>","common_names":"

Betula lenta<\/span><\/em><\/h3>\r\n