| The birch species are generally small to medium-size | | | | fills the cavity of the nut. All of the birch species are |
| trees or shrubs. They are mostly found in northern | | | | easily grown from seed. |
| temperate climates. The leaves are simple and may | | | | Birch bark tea was used by Native Americans to |
| be toothed or pointed. The fruit is a small samara, | | | | relieve headaches. Some people also used this tea, |
| although the wings may be obscure in some species. | | | | which was made from the leaves and bark, for fevers |
| The bark of all birches is characteristically marked with | | | | and abdominal cramps. |
| long historical lenticels and often separates into thin | | | | The properties that birch bark possesses allow it to |
| papery plates. The plant is practically imperishable | | | | help to heal burns and wound. It also is able to cleanse |
| because of the resinous oil that it contains. Its decided | | | | the blood. Birch bark also contains a glycoside that |
| color gives the plant the common names Red, White, | | | | decomposes to methyl salicylate. This is a remedy for |
| Black, Silver, and Yellow to different species. The buds | | | | rheumatism that is used both in Canada and in the |
| of the tree form early and are full grown by | | | | United States. A decoction of birch leaves is also |
| midsummer. The branch is prolonged by the upper bud. | | | | recommended for baldness. Additionally, this herb |
| The wood of all the species is close-grained and has a | | | | works as a mild sedative for insomnia. |
| satiny texture that is capable of taking a fine polish. | | | | The bark and leaves of the birch plant are used to |
| The leaves of the different species vary little. | | | | provide anthelmintic, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic, |
| The flowers of the birch plant are monoecious, and | | | | astringent, blood purifier, diaphoretic, diuretic, and |
| open with or before the leaves. They are borne on | | | | stimulant properties. The primary nutrients found in this |
| three-flowered clusters. The staminate aments are | | | | herb are calcium, chlorine, copper, fluoride, iron, |
| pendulous, and clustered or solitary in the axils of the | | | | magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, silicon, sodium, and |
| last leaves of the branch of the year. They form in | | | | vitamins A, C, E, B1, and B2. Primarily, birch is extremely |
| early autumn and remain rigid during the winter. The | | | | beneficial in dealing with blood impurities, eczema, pain, |
| scales of the staminate aments are broadly ovate, | | | | rheumatism, and urinary problems. |
| rounded, and yellow or orange in color when mature. | | | | Additionally, this herb is very helpful in treating canker |
| Each scale has two bractlets and three sterile flowers. | | | | sores, cholera, diarrhea, dysentery, edema, fevers, |
| These scales bear two or three fertile flowers. Each | | | | gout, and bleeding gums. One should consult their health |
| flower consists of a bare ovary. The ovary is | | | | care provider before considering supplementing with |
| compresed, two-celled, and grouped with two slender | | | | any medications. This will insure that a person obtains |
| styles. The ovule is solitary. The ripenened pistillate | | | | the best results possible. For more information on the |
| ament bears tiny winged nuts, packed in the protecting | | | | many benefits provided by birch, please feel free to |
| curve of each brown and woody scale. These nuts | | | | consult a representative from your local health food |
| are pale chestnut brown and compressed. The seed | | | | store with more questions. |