Botanical: Betula alba
Family: Betulaceae (birch)
Other common names:  White Birch Bark, Black Birch, Silver Birch, Sweet Birch, Canoe Birch,

Lady of the Woods

The graceful, ornamental Birch Tree, with its distinctive bark, provides beauty, important medicinal benefits, and delicious Birch Beer! Try Birch Bark to reduce fever, banish headache, eliminate excess water, thin the blood and combat urinary tract infections.  It is also said to be wonderful for alleviating the pains of rheumatism, arthritis and gout.

Disclaimer:
The information presented herein by Herbal Extracts Plus is intended for educational purposes only. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA and are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat or prevent disease. Individual results may vary, and before using any supplements, it is always advisable to consult with your own health care provider.

History:
The Birch is a slender, deciduous tree with a beautiful and distinctive bark that may reach a height of one hundred feet. Its leaves are dark green on the upper side and pale green underneath, and this hardy ornamental will grow in well-drained soil in sun or shade. Birch Trees are highly regarded as medicinal plants in Russia and Siberia, especially for treating arthritis, and there are a number of different varieties of Birch that are used for the same medicinal applications, many for pain, wounds, and skin complaints. They are also of great commercial value in the perfume industry, dental products, paper making, cotton reels, toys, broom making and fish smoking. The bark is used in the tanning industry, imparting a delicate fragrance to leather. An old use for the Birch was as a rod or "switch" that was used to flog offenders. Of great value is a glycoside in Birch that decomposes to produce methyl salicylate - a very effective pain reliever. Its history of pain relief goes back for centuries, as American Indians used Birch Bark to relieve headaches and the pain of rheumatism; and poultices of Birch Bark were used to heal burns, wounds, and bruises. Birch Bark was also vital in the making of Native American canoes. Birch Bark produces Birch oil, which is an effective remedy for certain skin conditions. Birch also occupies an important culinary place and has been included in salads, condiments and the ever-popular Birch Beer. Some constituents in Birch Bark include saponins, tannin, betulin, betulinic acid, flavonoids (hyperoside, luteolin and quercetin) and glycosides (methyl salicylate).

Beneficial Uses:
Birch Bark is a wonderful pain reliever and anti-inflammatory. A glycoside in the Birch Bark decomposes to produce methyl salicylate, which is the natural forerunner of synthetic aspirin, and has been invaluable for relieving headaches and general, overall pain.  It also helps to alleviate the inflammation of rheumatism, arthritis and gout and helps to ease the pain of swollen and painful joints.

Used in its aspirin form, Birch Bark is a blood thinner and is included in many heart-ailment regimens.

Birch Bark is considered an effective diuretic that promotes urine flow and has been used to rid the body of excess water and ease bloating.  It is said to be helpful in combating urinary tract infections, cystitis, prostatitis and kidney stones. As a diaphoretic, it produces perspiration (cleansing toxins from the body through the skin) and, as such, helps to cool the body and reduce fever, making it helpful for easing the discomforts of colds and flu symptoms.

Two compounds in Birch Bark, betulinic acid and betulin, have shown significant antiviral activity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the salicylates in Birch Bark for the treatment of warts.

When used topically in salves, poultices, and liniments, Birch Bark has provided great relief for bruises, burns, eczema, wounds, skin eruptions (boils and sores), rheumatism and psoriasis.

Birch Bark has been used as a mild sedative and that has helped to relieve temporary sleepness.

Recommended Dosage:
Take two (2) capsules, one (1) to two (2) times each day with water at mealtimes.

Contraindications:
People who are hypersensitive to aspirin should not use Birch Bark, and anyone taking prescription blood-thinning medications should always consult a physician before using it.

Capsule Size:
We use only 100% Gluten-free, Vegetable Cellulose "00" capsules for all of our encapsulated products. (click here for size comparison)

• Birch Bark - Botanical Powder -- Approximately 600 mg. each.