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Birch
Betula alba
Betulaceae
Names : White Birch.
Habitat : Commonly found in woods in Britain and Europe.
Collection : The leaves are collected in late spring or summer. When
collecting the bark, it is important not to ring-bark the tree, in other
words not to take off the bark all around the circumference; otherwise
the tree will die.
Part Used : Young leaves and bark.
Constituents : Flavonoids, mainly hyperoside, with luteolin and
quercetin glycosides.
Actions : Diuretic, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, tonic.
Indications : Birch leaves act as an effective remedy for cystitis and
other infections of the urinary system as well as removing excess water
from the body. Perhaps because of this cleansing diuretic activity, the
plant has been used for gout, rheumatism and mild arthritic pain. The
bark will ease muscle pain if it is applied externally, putting the
fresh, wet internal side of the bark against the skin.
Ellingwood, following German usage, recommends it for the following
pathologies : water retention, kidney stones.
Combinations : For urinary infections it may be used with Bearberry,
whilst for rheumatic pain it combines well with Black Willow.
Preparations & Dosage : Infusion: pour a cup of boiling water onto
l-2 teaspoonfuls of the dried leaves and let infuse for l0 minutes. This
should be drunk three times a day.
Tincture: take l-2 ml of the tincture three times a day.
The herbalist by David Hoffman, (c)1993 David Hoffman, Hopkins
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