Medicinal Uses for Paper Birch Trees

The deciduous paper birch tree (Betula papyrifera) can grow up to 90 feet tall. Its bark can be peeled off and pressed flat; once dry it can be written or painted on. Besides the bark, different parts of the paper birch tree are used for many purposes, including alternative medicinal treatments.

Anti-inflammatory Uses

• The leaves of the paper birch tree are often used in anti-inflammatory remedies.

  As an anti-inflammatory remedy, the twigs and leaves of the paper birch tree are used by many alternative health practitioners. The Cedar Mountain Herb School suggests creating a tea by boiling the leaves and twigs to make an anti-inflammatory treatment. A derivative of birch essential oil, betulinic acid, is the component of the tree's twigs and leaves that contains the anti-inflammatory properties. Sufferers of arthritis, cystitis, heart and kidney edema and high cholesterol are among those who use birch to treat their conditions.

Digestive Aid

• Vinegar extracts the nutrients from the paper birch.

  Birch is also considered to support and stimulate the digestive system. Advocates of this tend to soak fresh paper birch leaves in apple cider vinegar for several weeks, which releases the minerals and micronutrients; the birch's bone-strengthening and immune-boosting nutrients are extracted by the vinegar. The vinegar can then be added to beverages and meals; some people take a teaspoonful of the vinegar on its own as they would a typical cough medicine.

Treating Skin Conditions

• An infusion from dried paper birch leaves can be used to treat skin conditions.

  Because birch is an astringent, it is an effective treatment for skin conditions such as eczema. By collecting birch leaves (Cedar Mountain Herb School recommends doing this in the spring time and in the morning; this way the leaves are fully open and the essential oils have not been released) and then leaving them in water for a few hours, their medicinal properties are released. The recommended ratio is 1 ounce of dried leaves to 1 pint of water. After the leaves have been soaked and strained, the infusion can be used as a skin wash.