-IBIS-1.5.0-

rx

herb

Betula spp. (Birch)

botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Betula alba, B. pendula, B. verrucosa, B. lenta

synonyms: birch, European birch, white birch, canoe birch, paper birch, hange-birke, birke, bouleau blanc, bouleau ecorce, corteza de abedul , birk, beresa

part(s) used: bark, leaves, sweet birch oil (see wintergreen), birch bark ash,

birch tar oil (external use only)

qualities:

affinities:

actions:

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 4 ml.

therapy:

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 1

toxicity: 0; essential oil is very toxic.

» essential oil of Betula lenta, methyl salicylate, can be fatal following absorption of large amounts through dermal, oropharyngeal, or gastrointestinal tissues

» signs and symptoms of essential oil overdose: tinnitus, nausea, vomiting, hyperpnea, acidosis, pulmonary edema, fatty liver infiltration, and nephrosis (Theines and Haley, pp. 80-85)

» laboratory test results: hematuria, albuminuria, glycosuria and acetonuria (von Oettingen, pp. 78, 126)

» Lectinic and mitogenic properties may be responsible for this plant's reported carcinogenicity (Duke, p. 203)

» Avoid in edema from heart failure or kidney insufficiency (De Smet) due to inadequate diuretic effect

constituents: flavonoids

footnotes

De Smet PAGM et al. (eds.). 1993. Adverse Effects of Herbal Drugs 2, Berlin: Springer-Verlag

Duke, J.A. 1985. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

5. C.R.C. Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: The C.R.C. Press.

Thienes, C.H., Haley, T.J. 1975. Clinical Toxicology. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Lea and Febiger.

von Oettingen, W.F. 1958. Poisoning: A Guide to Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.

adelphia: W.B. Saunders and Company.