BIRCH BARK TINCTURE

I was out looking for some Chaga (Birch fungus) and I didn’t find it. However, I did find a nice piece of white paper Birch bark (Betula Papyrifera) that had already peeled off of the tree. I took it home and looked up how to make a tincture out of the bark and here is the recipe:

2 tsp. Birch Bark cut into small 1 ½ inch squares

1 cup of Vodka

Put bark and Vodka into a non see-through bottle and place in a cupboard. Shake once a day. Let them sit for three days. Strain. Take 1 tsp. two or three times a day for arthritis. Traditional uses of Birch bark are:

- Antibacterial (Bark)
- Antiviral (Bark)
- Anti-inflammatory (Leaf and Bark)
- Backache (Bark)
- Blood Purification (Leaf and Bark)
- Cellular Regeneration (Bark)
- Cleansing (Bark)
- Detoxification (Bark)
- Pain Relief (Bark)
- Rashes (Leaf and Bark)
- Skin Rashes (Leaf and Bark)
- Warts (Bark)
- Wounds (Leaf and Bark)

(http://www.florahealth.com/flora/home/Canada/HealthInformation/Encyclopedias/BirchLeaf.htm#ScientificNames)

The contents of white Birch bark are 3% tannic acid, volatile oil, resin, flavonoids, bitter

principle and betuls camphor.

Diarrhoea Treatment Made From Birch

Treat diarrhoea. Brew birch bark tea.

1 tsp. birch bark

8 oz. Boiling water

Steep for 15 minutes and drink 3 cups spaced out 4 hours apart.

(http://www.ehow.com/how_2123415_birch-health.html#ixzz1BtQOmwEh)

Recipe for Birch bark/Ginger Tea

A tablespoon of fresh grated ginger helps to activate the properties of the birch, and adds a hot, sweet flavour that makes this tea a pleasure to drink.

• 2 parts birch bark
• 1 part ginger

Additions: Stevia or Honey

This tea is said to be good for osteoarthritis. (http://www.anniesremedy.com/chart_remedy.php?rem_ID=374)

Apart from medicinal use in humans the paper birch feeds moose, deer, and rabbits in its natural habitat of the northern United States and Canada. Some natives still use the Birch bark for crafts and to make traditional canoes.