Birch
Scientific names: Betula pendula, Betula verrucosa, Betula pubescens, Betula alba
Family: Betulaceae
Alternate names: Abedul, Arbre de Sagesse, Betula, Betulae folium, Biole, Bois à Balais, Boulard, Bouleau Blanc, Bouleau Odorant, Downy Birch, Sceptre des Maîtres d'École, Silver Birch, White Birch
Actions: Diuretic, Immunologic
Background
Birch are trees that are native to Europe and parts of Asia. The leaves, bark, and buds of the tree are used to make medicine.
Birch is used for joint pain, kidney stones, bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that birch may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using birch for COVID-19.
Birch is used for joint pain, kidney stones, bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any use.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that birch may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using birch for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
When taken by mouth: Birch is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when taken by mouth for short periods of time. It can cause allergic reactions in some people.
When applied to the skin: Birch is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when applied to the skin for short periods of time. It can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Allergy to wild carrot, mugwort, celery, and other spices: Birch pollen might cause allergies in people who are sensitive to wild carrot, mugwort, and celery. This has been called the "celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome." Birch pollen might also cause allergies in people who are sensitive to certain other plants, including apples, soybeans, hazelnuts, and peanuts.
High blood pressure: There is some concern that birch leaf might increase the amount of salt (sodium) that the body retains. This can make high blood pressure worse.
When applied to the skin: Birch is POSSIBLY SAFE for most adults when applied to the skin for short periods of time. It can cause allergic reactions in some people.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if birch is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Allergy to wild carrot, mugwort, celery, and other spices: Birch pollen might cause allergies in people who are sensitive to wild carrot, mugwort, and celery. This has been called the "celery-carrot-mugwort-spice syndrome." Birch pollen might also cause allergies in people who are sensitive to certain other plants, including apples, soybeans, hazelnuts, and peanuts.
High blood pressure: There is some concern that birch leaf might increase the amount of salt (sodium) that the body retains. This can make high blood pressure worse.
Effectiveness
NatMed Pro rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate.
Insufficient evidence Effectiveness definitions
- Joint pain.
- Kidney stones.
- Bladder stones.
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Rough, scaly patches on skin caused by long-term sun exposure (actinic keratosis), when applied to the skin.
- Dandruff, when applied to the skin.
- Hair loss, when applied to the skin.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
The appropriate dose of birch depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for birch. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Water pills (Diuretic drugs)
Interaction Rating=Minor Be watchful with this combination.
Birch seems to work like "water pills" by causing the body to lose water. Taking birch along with other "water pills" might cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much water can cause you to be dizzy and your blood pressure to go too low.
Some "water pills" include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, Hydrodiuril, Microzide), and others.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
There are no known interactions with herbs and supplements.
Interactions with foods
There are no known interactions with foods.
Action
Birch leaves contain chemicals which increase water loss through the urine.
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This monograph was last reviewed on 03/10/2024 10:00:00 and last updated on 04/12/2020 02:02:26. Monographs are reviewed and/or updated multiple times per month and at least once per year.
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Natural Medicines rates safety based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Likely Safe, Possibly Safe, Possibly Unsafe, Likely Unsafe, Unsafe, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate. For more information about Natural Medicines’ Safety Rating System, click here.
The Natural Medicines Effectiveness Ratings are assigned for specific indications. A product might be rated "Possibly Effective" for one condition, but be rated "Likely Ineffective" for another condition, depending on the evidence. For more info click here.
