Birch

The birch is a tree whose leaves - which contain a lot of vitamin C - are used to make medicine. Birch leaves are used for infections of the urinary tract affecting the kidneys, bladder, ureters and urethra. Birch is also used as a diuretic to increase urine output. Some people use birch in conjunction with plenty of water to "flush" the urinary tract. Other uses include treating arthritis, sore joints, hair loss and skin rashes. Birch is also used in "spring cures" to "cleanse the blood".

How does birch work?

Birch leaves contain chemicals that increase the excretion of water through the urine.

How effective is birch?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of birch or birch leaves for the treatment of arthritis, hair loss, skin rashes, urinary tract disorders and painful joints. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of birch and birch leaf for these conditions.

Safety and side effects

Birch and birch leaf appear to be safe and harmless for most adults.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and lactation: Not enough is known about the use of birch products during pregnancy and lactation. For this reason, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid birch products to be on the safe side. Allergies to wild carrot, absinthe, celery and spices: Birch pollen can cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to these plants and spices.

High blood pressure: There are concerns that birch leaves may increase the amount of sodium the body retains, which could exacerbate high blood pressure.

Interactions

Care should be taken when combining birch leaf with the following medications:

Diuretics (dehydrating agents)

Birch leaves appear to act as diuretics by increasing the excretion of water from the body. Using birch leaves in combination with other diuretics could cause the body to lose too much water. Losing too much fluid can cause dizziness and an excessive drop in blood pressure.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of birch products depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for different birch products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

1. Bauer L, Ebner C, Hirschwehr R, et al. IgE cross-reactivity between birch pollen, mugwort pollen, and celery is due to three distinct cross-reacting allergens: immunoblot investigation of the birch-mugwort-celery syndrome. Clin Exp Allergy 1996;26:1161-70.
2. Robbers JE, Tyler VE. Tyler's Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. New York, NY: The Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.