Monday, December 16, 2013

Black birch tea

Betula lenta L. is commonly known as American black birch tea. The American Indians knew that birch tea helped to relieve headaches.

They gathered the leaves of the black birch, steeped them in hot water, and drank the tea to relieve headaches and ease rheumatism.

The plant also appreciated for its ability to alleviate muscle pain often associated with fever. In Europe, birch is used to relieve the pain and swelling of arthritis and to heal boils and sores.

The sap secured from the black birch can be applied externally to help heal sores and boils or carbuncles. 

Black birch can be recognized by crushing a leaf or twig and sniffing – black birch smells like wintergreen. The leaves are bright green and lighter underneath.

Birch contains methyl salicylate, which has counter-irritant and analgesic properties. Thus there may be some validity to the folk medicine use birch to relieve the ache of rheumatism.

It is preferable to use birch leaf as a tea for all conditions except for bladder and kidney infections.

Black birch tea can be made by adding a handful of fresh, young leaves to boiling water remove immediately from the heat source and let steep for 5-10 minutes depending on the severity of the illness. A stronger tea can be made by broiling the succulent bark and leaves for 2-7 minutes.
Black birch tea

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