BIRCH (Betula spp.)

BIRCH (Betula spp.)

Betula pendula Roth, Betula pubescens Ehrh. (Synonym — Betula alba L., Betula verrucosa Ehrh.)
Some taxonomists know that the cop-out approach is to refer to the genus rather than all the poorly
separable species of birch. PH2 listed pendula and pubescens, and APA, no more taxonomically
adept, added B. lenta, B. pubsecens, B. verrucosa (=B. pendula). I’ve added all PH2 activity/indication
entries here.
Activities (Birch) — Analgesic (1; FAD); Antibacterial (1; PH2); Antiinflammatory (1; FAD; SHT);
Antimelanomic (1; APA); Antipyretic (1; PHR; PH2); Antiseptic (1; APA); Aquaretic (1; SHT);
Astringent (1; PNC); Counterirritant (1; FAD); Depurative (f; APA; PHR; PH2); Diuretic (2; APA;
KOM; PIP; PH2); Parasiticide (1; PHR; PH2); Saluretic (1; PHR; PH2).
Indications (Birch) — Alopecia (f; APA; PHR; PH2); Arthrosis (1; APA); Bacteria (1; PH2);
Bladder Stone (2; PHR; PH2); Bronchosis (1; FAD); Cholecystosis (1; FAD); Cystosis (f; APA);
Dandruff (f; PHR; PH2); Dermatosis (1; PHR; PH2); Diarrhea (1; PNC); Dyspepsia (f; APA);
Eczema (1; APA); Fever (1; APA; FAD; PHR; PH2); Gout (1; APA; FAD; PH2); Gravel (2;
KOM; PIP; PH2); Infection (1; APA); Inflammation (1; APA; FAD; SHT); Kidney Stone (2;
APA; PHR; PH2); Melanoma (1; APA); Myalgia (1; FAD); Nephrosis (1; KOM; PH2); Neuralgia
(1; APA; FAD); Pain (1; FAD); Parasite (1; PHR; PH2); Psoriasis (f; APA; PH2); Pulmonosis
(1; FAD); Rheumatism (2; FAD; KOM; PIP; PH2); Scabies (1; PH2); Scrofula (f; FAD); Staphylococcus
(1; X10857921); Stomachache (f; FAD); Stone (SHT); Urethrosis (2; KOM); UTI
(2; KOM; PHR; PH2; SHT); Water Retention (2; APA; KOM; PIP; PH2); Worm (f; APA); Wound
(f; APA).
Dosages (Birch) — 1–2 tbsp chopped leaf/cup water, several ×/day (APA); 2–3 g several ×/day
(KOM; PIP); 12 g/day (SHT).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Birch) — Class 1 (AHP). Contraindications
reported as edema due to cardiac or renal insufficiency (AEH). Not for use in edema in patients
with cardiac or nephrotic problems. (PH2). None reported (PIP). “Health hazards not known with
proper therapeutic dosages” (PH2). Warning: EO toxic; easily absorbed through the skin (FAD).

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