Birch Tree Picture - Medical Benefits and Treatment using Birch Bark, Branch or Leaves

Latin description: Betula spp

Medcinal Uses and Benefits of Birch

• The oil has been used mainly for eczema, but has also been used to treat gonorrhea and has been used experimentally in the treatment of melanoma and said to have some effect (no empirical evidence has been presented).
• Leaves have been used for cystitis and urinary tract infections.
• Young shoots and leaves contain an acidic, resinous property and have been combined with other substances to use as a tonic laxative.
• Leaves were used as a tea for gout, rheumatism, dropsy, and kidney stones; a decoction was used as a wash for boils and skin eruptions, or, the tea was taken internally and the oil applied externally.
• The inner bark was once used for intermittant fever.
• Has been used in the past for cardial dropsy.
• Once used to treat intestinal worms.
• Birch tar (see caution) has been used to treat scabies. It is an ingredient in several European ointments and liniments.
• The yellow, fungus-like excrescense of the wood were used as a Moxa.
• Diuretic, antirheumatic, stimulant, astringent, anthelmintic, cholagogue, diaphoretic.

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