* Please Note: This information is based partly on Traditional Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
Description
Birch Betula pendula Roth.
Family: Betulaceae.
Other Names: Silver birch; common birch; bouleau blanc (French); Hängebirke (German); betulla bianca (Italian); abedul (Spanish).
Description: Birch is an erect tree (up to 30 m in height), with a characteristic white papery bark. Flowers appear in the form of slender, inconspicuous catkins. Betula pubescens (downy birch or white birch) and B. pendula commonly hybridise. Downy birch has coarsely toothed leaves with short, soft hairs on both surfaces, while silver birch has doubly dentate, hairless leaves. Both species and their hybrids are used medicinally.
Parts Used: Leaves (Betulae folium) , bark (Betulae cortex), leaf buds (Betulae gemmae), tar oil from bark (Betulae pix).
Origin: Both species occur naturally in the northern parts of Europe and Asia and have become popular garden trees in many countries.
Uses and Properties: Birch leaves are mainly used in irrigation therapy against various inflammatory disorders of the urinary tract, including urethritis and cystitis. The increased urine flow prevents the formation of kidney and bladder stones. The leaves are also traditionally used as a diuretic in cases of rheumatism, gout and oedema (dropsy). Birch tar oil is applied topically against itching, in cases of eczema, psoriasis and other skin disorders.
Ingredients: The activity of birch leaves is ascribed mainly to flavonoid glycosides (2-3 % of dry weight). Hyperoside and quercitrin are the main compounds. Also present are flavone methyl esters, phenylpropanoids, steroidal saponins, methylsalicylate and resins. Tar is rich in phenolics (6%). such as guajacol, kresol, and pyrogallol.
Pharmacological Effects: The diuretic effect of birch leaves is ascribed to the flavonoids and has been confirmed in animal experiments. Possible saluretic effects (increased secretion of salts) have been disputed.
Notes: The leaves, bark, sap, essential oil and tar of Betula species have numerous practical uses (e.g. in cosmetics) in Europe, Asia and North America. Stripped bark has many traditional uses (e.g. as paper, roof tiles).
Status: Pharm.; Comm. E+; ESCOP 1.
Preparation and Dosage: Infusions, tinctures and extracts made from 2 - 3 g of dry leaves (or equivalent doses) are taken orally several times per day.
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Directions
Take 1 capsule, 3 times daily, with meals.
Additional Information
The TerraVita Premium Collection uses only the finest, purest and most potent plant extracts from around the world.
The TerraVita Premium Collection is hallmarked by the highest possible standards of purity, potency, stability and freshness. Our highest possible standards are certified by independent laboratories and backed by our personal guarantee.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor. The essence of the current American rule on Traditional Uses is, as stated by FTC, "Claims based on historical or traditional use should be substantiated by confirming scientific evidence, or should be presented in such a way that consumers understand that the sole basis for the claim is a history of use of the product for a particular purpose."
