Sweet Birch (Betula lenta) – Essential Oil

Sweet birch also known as Black Birch, Cherry birch and Red birch is a deciduous tree native to eastern North America, from southern Maine west to southernmost Ontario, and south in the Appalachian Mountains to northern Georgia. It has bright green leaves and a dark reddish-brown aromatic bark, which is broken into plates or patches.

Sweet birch is known as an American ornamental and timber tree in the family Betulaceae or Birch Family. The hard, close-grained wood is like that of yellow birch but denser and of deeper colour; both are used for veneer, flooring, furniture, doors, plywood, and vehicle parts. Sweet birch is a source of birch oil, formerly a substitute for oil of wintergreen. Birch sap is used as an ingredient in food or drinks, such as birch beer or wintergreen flavoured candy and is used to make Birch syrup. Indigenous people in North Americans used sweet birch as an anti-diarrheal and cold remedy. The essential oil is made by steam distillation of the bark macerated in warm water. Sweet birch is colourless, pale yellow or reddish tinted liquid with an intense, sweet, woody, wintergreen like scent. 

Sweet birch has been used to protect the skin against bacterial and fungal infections. Reduce body temperature by promoting perspiration. This also helps in the removal of toxins from the body through sweat to reduce a fever. Sweet Birch oil has been used for anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties in reducing pain in the joints, muscles, for headaches and toothaches and to relieve cramping throughout the body. For ages, birch oil has been in used as a skin toner. Sweet birch’s astringent properties have been used for the gums, scalp and as a toner (in low dosages). Birch essential oil has been used to promote urination and prevent kidney stones and conditions like gout and arthritis. 

Blends well with: Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint and Yarrow. 

How to use:

• For headaches and muscle and joint pain combine Sweet birch with Rosemary, Lavender, Peppermint and Yarrow.
• As an antispasmodic for muscles combine Sweet birch with Cinnamon, German Chamomile and Clary sage.
• For blemishes on the skin combine Sweet birch with Tea tree and Lavender.

Cautions & contraindications: 

External use only. Do not use undiluted. Avoid eye area and if epileptic or pregnant. Information provided does not substitute for professional advice and care.