Birch

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(Betula lenta)
Supports healthy bones, joints and muscles and has cortisone-like properties. Has a child-resistant cap.

 Info

Birch (with child-resistant cap)
Betula lenta

Plant Origin: Canada
Method: Steam distilled from macerated and soaked bark
Cultivation: Unsprayed (organically grown but not certified)
Chemical Family: Salicylate ester
Aroma: Strong, minty, candy-like

Birch and Wintergreen are, chemically speaking, almost identical.

Hopewell Essential Oils' Sweet Birch is grown and distilled in the Adirondack region of Canada. Authentic steam-distilled Birch oil produced commercially on a large scale is a rare find because it is not economically feasible to compete with other products such as wintergreen oil which, in terms of chemistry, is practically identical. This amazing quality Adirondack Birch oil is produced by a family distillery on a very small scale.

Key Constituents from GC/MS Analysis: Lot#114
methyl salicylate 99.20%
estragole 0.11%
ethyl salicylate 0.52%
linalool 0.09%
limonene 0.02%

Safety Information
Children: Not suitable (see Safety info below)

Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Not suitable (see Safety info below) From WebMD: "Birch is safe in amounts found in food, but there's not enough information to know if it's safe in the larger amounts that are used as medicine. Don’t take it by mouth or put it on your skin, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding."

Medication/Health Condition:
~ Not an issue with diffusion ~
Contraindicated All Routes: Anticoagulant medication (such as aspirin, heparin, warfarin), Major Surgery and Childbirth, Peptic Ulcers, Hemophilia and other Bleeding disorders, Severe Hepatic (liver) or Renal (kidney) impairment, Hypertensive or Diabetic Retinopathy, Salicylate sensitivity, Thrombocytopenia (decreased platelet count), Vasculitis
Contraindicated Orally: GERD

It is common to use Birch daily in a mouthwash and toothpaste, and very small amounts may be ingested. As always, toxicity is in relation to dose (Tisserand).

Therapeutic Uses Birch essential oil may support, aid, ease, soothe, reduce, calm, relax, promote and/or maintain healthy function of the following:
Acne
Antiseptic/Disinfectant (protect from bacterial and fungal infections)
Astringent skin toner (use at a low %)
Arthritis
Aches and pains
Back, minor aches and pain
Bladder
Bones
Cellulite
Circulation
Costochondritis
Cramps
Cystitis
Digestive/Excretory systems
Diuretic (edema/fluid retention)
Eczema
Edema
Febrifuge (may promote perspiration, which helps remove toxins)
Fibromyalgia
Gallstones
Gout
Gums
Hair
Headache
Inflammation
Joints
Lumbargo
Muscles, tension, minor aches and pain
Neuralgia
Nervous system
Osteoporosis, Osteopenia
Pain
Ringworm
Rheumatoid arthritis
Skin, astringent, toner, wrinkles (low %)
Tendonitis
Toothache
Toxins (may help flush uric acid)
Urinary Tract

The main chemical component of Birch is methyl salicylate, which is similar to the salicylic acid used in aspirin. Contains an active principle similar to cortisone and is beneficial for bone, muscle, and joint discomfort.

Birch blends well with:
Bay Laurel
Eucalyptus (cineole-rich such as radiata, globulus, smithii)
Lavender
Peppermint
Rosemary ct verbenon

Hopewell Essential Oil Blends Containing Birch
Complexion
Dr. Hull's Tooth and Gums
Fire Power
Headache Relief
Helichrysum Blend
Lung Support
Mint Blast
Nasal Rescue
Oral Hygiene
Ortho Massage
Pain Patrol
Pain Repair
Pain X
Raindrops
Resolve
Take Time

Application Suggestions (See Essential Oil Usage for more information and a Dilution Chart.)
Topical: Dilute with a carrier oil, unscented lotion or unscented cream and apply on area of concern or as desired. Consider using a roll-on applicator for ease of application of prediluted oil.

The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia recommends using Wintergreen (Birch) externally as a liniment. Consider adding to aloe vera gel, unscented lotion or cream at 2% combined with a few of the oils listed above. The percentage of essential oil in your liniment may be best at 25% concentration for short-term use for pain, but keep the level of Birch at 2%. Tisserand/Young suggest that the maximum dermal use level not exceed 2.5%.

Children: Not suitable

Dermal Caution: Anticoagulant medication, major surgery, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, pregnancy, nursing, children and people with salicylate sensitivity, which may apply to people with ADD/ADHD.

Inhalation: Diffuse
Inhalation Caution: Anticoagulant medication, major surgery, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders, pregnancy, nursing, children and people with salicylate sensitivity, which may apply to people with ADD/ADHD.

Internal: No suggestions, although Birch/Wintergreen is extensively used as a flavoring for toothpaste, chewing gum and soft drinks. (Lawless, Leung) Large doses of Birch can be toxic.

It is common to use Birch daily in a mouthwash, and very small amounts may be ingested. As always, toxicity is in relation to dose (Tisserand).

Aspirin and Reye Syndrome: A Review of the Evidence PubMed article
"The suggestion of a defined cause-effect relationship between aspirin intake and Reye syndrome in children is not supported by sufficient facts. Clearly, no drug treatment is without side effects. Thus, a balanced view of whether treatment with a certain drug is justified in terms of the benefit/risk ratio is always necessary. Aspirin is no exception."

5mls of Birch is equal to approximately 21 aspirin (300 mg tablets). Large amounts taken orally can cause ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain and confusion. Tisserand/Young recommend that the maximum adult daily oral dose be limited to182mg, which would be about 6 drops.

Oral Caution: GERD disease, anticoagulant medication, major surgery, hemophilia and other bleeding disorders pregnancy, breastfeeding, children and people with salicylate sensitivity, which may apply to people with ADD/ADHD (Tisserand/Young page 215).

Testimonies
The following anecdotal testimonies have not been reviewed by the FDA.
The products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, prevent, treat or cure disease.
Information shared on the HEO website is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice given by your trusted health care provider.
We believe that essential oils are provided by the Lord to support our health and well-being.
The Lord is our wisdom, protector and healer.
(Genesis 1:29-30, Ezekiel 47:12)

1. I wanted to let you know about the Birch oil. When I last ordered, you said it was a superior oil and wanted some feedback on it. Well, thankfully, we haven't had much need for it until just the other day. My husband had a very stiff and sore neck, and before retiring for the night, I massaged some into his neck and shoulder area. He woke the next morning with absolutely NO PAIN! So, for our feedback: We really like it!!! - T.S.

2. My married son had an abscessed tooth, and the dentist said he would have to have a root canal done. Knowing how bad root canals are, he called me to see what I'd suggest him to do, and I suggested that he apply Plague Defense on the gum next to the tooth and diluted on the jaw. He put some drops on a cotton ball and packed it next to the tooth. The infection cleared up but then erupted again, and this cycle happened at least three times. Each time he'd start the protocol again. I read about your Enhance Tooth Suds, and why the Birch was added, so I suggested that he use the Plague Defense and then apply Birch to help drive it in. This worked! The infection was resolved and his tooth is fine. My friend had a bad toothache (abcess), and she called to ask if I had anything that would help. I gave her Plague Defense and Birch to use, and the next morning she called to say that the abcess broke and drained, and she felt a million times better.

3. I had been suffering with neck and shoulder pain for weeks, and the chiropractor was unable to help. Yesterday my back began to hurt along with my neck and shoulders. I was in so much pain all day that I went home in tears. I asked my husband to masage my back, shoulders and neck with Birch. He then suggested I put a heating pad on it. I rested for a couple hours with the heating pad and went to bed. When I woke up, I felt so much better. I just had a small amount of pain. I am so thankful for your oils. - Dawn

4. I have found that Birch extended with either St. John's Wort infused oil or Tamanu works very nicely to ease gout and joint pain. - Marge

5. I have a friend who had a large bunion on her left foot. It was extremely swollen, red and painful. It was bent to the left leaning over the next toe. She showed it to someone who said there was nothing that could be done for a bunion like hers except surgery. She had some Strength and some Birch and decided to apply it liberally to both toes, but especially to the swollen, red area of the big toe. She'd had the bunion for months. After applying it for (her words) a "brief time" (I asked how long and she estimated a couple of weeks or so), it is just fine now. After her experience, she mentioned it to another friend who also had a bunion. I don't know more of the details or her experience than that the other friend used the same oils, did the same thing and her foot is just fine now also. - Kerri

6. Darla asked if she could use Birch instead of the daily aspirin her MD prescribed. While Wintergreen/Birch are comparable to aspirin, Robert Tisserand wrote in response to a similar question: "Maybe, but there’s no evidence that the methyl salicylate content of wintergreen oil has the same long-term benefits of acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin). They are both salicylates, but that doesn’t mean they have exactly the same action. If it was me, I would go for aspirin with its proven, known benefits."

7. Last week I had three molars extracted. On one, the surgeon had to scrape bone due to infection. Along with the ice / hot packs, I have used feverfew herb by mouth and Hopewell Birch essential oil on site and on the backs of my hands. I have a high pain threshold, so that's been all I needed. - Julia

8. I make a blend with Birch and a few other essential oils that is fantastic.
1/4 cup Aloe Vera
1 TB St. John's Wort infused oil
1 TB Arnica infused oil
40 drops Birch
30 drops Laurel Leaf
20 drops Peppermint
The aloe is the best carrier for ushering this into the skin. It's a refreshing, soothing blend. This can easily be adjusted to suit the need and the individual by increasing the essential oils in the formula. I have used it up to 20% essential oils. I label and store in a 2oz glass jar. Be sure to keep it out of reach of children! - Linda

9. I use a combination of Strength and Birch for my bunion. I just rub both on the bunion each morning. I ran out about a week ago and decided to see if I really needed it. Needless to say my new bottles arrived yesterday. No pain today! Bunion are bones growing crooked because of bad fitting shoes and are only cured by painful surgery. They break the toe and remove the area and then it heals. They can come back. Essential oil has been my only relief. Not fun! - Sue

10. Thank you for carrying this oil. It has been an amazing help for me, and does not have the same effect for me as Wintergreen. You guys are the only place I’ve been getting it from! For me, Birch works wonderfully in combination with Peppermint oil to soothe back pain or muscle tightness, especially if I simultaneously apply heat to the afflicted area! - Tatiana

11. I had Costochondritis really bad for a year or more. Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage in the rib cage. The condition usually affects the cartilage where the upper ribs attach to the breastbone or sternum. Chest pain can varied from mild to severe. I used Birch oil. That was before I knew a lot about essential oils. It helped me so much. I still use it on occasion or I also use Pain-X. - Debra

Safety
Pregnancy: Robert Tisserand wrote: It should absolutely never be taken during pregnancy. Like all salicylates, it causes fetal malformations. Even externally, it can cause problems.

Children: Taking 4-10mL by mouth can be deadly. Birch and Wintergreen should not be used on or given to children in any amount due to the risk of developing Reye's Syndrome. (Tisserand/Young)

Undiluted Caution: use may cause skin irritations.

Oral Caution: Tisserand notes that the maximum adult daily oral dose is 182mg, which would be less than 0.2mL. Large amounts taken orally can cause ringing in the ears, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain and confusion.

Medication/Health Condition: Contraindicated: Aspirin (oral use), Anticoagulants (such as Warfarin and Heparin, all routes), ADD/ADHD if have salicylate sensitivity (topical and oral use), Childbirth and Major Surgery (all routes one week before and after), Epilepsy (limit 5-6 drops/day orally), GERD (oral use), Peptic Ulcer (all routes), Hemophilia and other bleeding disorders (all routes)

Methyl salicylate (the key constituent of Sweet Birch and Wintergreen) inhibits platelet aggregation and exacerbates blood thinning.

Robert Tisserand, aromatherapist and author of Essential Oil Safety, wrote about Wintergreen, but we include this information here because Birch is almost identical, chemically speaking, to Wintergreen: "In Europe, the ADI (‘acceptable daily intake’) for methyl salicylate is 0.5 mg/kg/day, which equates to about 1 drop of Wintergreen oil per adult per day. ADIs are primarily intended to cover the food industry. This regulation does not apply outside of Europe."

"There is no difference between Wintergreen oil toxicity and methyl salicylate toxicity. Methyl salicylate is one of the ingredients in Listerine, so many people use it daily in a mouthwash, and very small amounts may be ingested. As always, toxicity is in relation to dose. I would suggest that Wintergreen oil is not one that should be taken orally as a medicine, unless under the supervision of a doctor or herbalist. There have been many fatalities from (accidental) overdose, and there are a number of toxicity issues – it’s fetotoxic, there are several reasons why it could be problematic in children, it’s extremely blood-thinning, and should be avoided by people with GERD. So it’s not just a question of how much is toxic – it’s also about individual sensitivity. It should absolutely never be taken during pregnancy. Like all salicylates, it causes fetal malformations. Even externally, it can cause problems."

Dermal Use: Maximum level 2.5%
"Wintergreen oil has some wonderful properties, but I would not like to see it used at more than 5%. No one has died from dermal [topical] application, but there have been at least three reported cases of people taking blood-thinning medication who broke out in internal bruising when they applied methyl salicylate-containing products to their skin. It enhances the blood thinning action of the drug, and blood leaks out of the blood vessels."

"Methyl salicylate is good for some people, not for others. A blanket contraindication is not necessary, but it is best avoided in pregnancy – all salicylates are teratogenic in sufficient amount, including methyl salicylate and aspirin (acetyl salicylic acid). Methyl salicylate must be absolutely avoided by anyone taking blood-thinning drugs, as it increases the action of the drug, and this causes blood to leak into tissues and internal bruising occurs. Knowing a lethal dose tells you very little about what (1) a therapeutic dose would be or (2) a safe dose would be, but it does tell you what dose not to use! Therapeutic dose is good to know of course, and this varies between essential oil and also between purpose. Wintergreen oil has some wonderful properties, but I would not like to see it used at more than 5%."

Avoid contact with the eyes and other sensitive areas. Essential oils are both lipophilic and hydrophobic. Lipophilic means they are attracted to fat— like the membranes of your eyes and skin. They are also hydrophobic, meaning they do not like water. Flushing with water will only send the essential oil back to the eye's membranes. Applying a carrier oil will create another fat for the essential oil to be attracted to other than the membranes of the eyes or skin. Tisserand suggests: "With essential oils, fatty oil has been suggested as an appropriate first aid treatment, though the advantage of saline [eyewash] is that the eyes can be continually flushed, and this is less easy with fatty oil." We’ve not known this to cause permanent injury or long-term discomfort, but if you feel concerned, please call your health care provider.

References
Battaglia, Salvatore, The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 2002, pages 324.
Davis, P., Aromatherapy An A-Z, C.W. Daniel Company Ltd, 2000.
Rose, J, 375 Essential Oils and Hydrosols, Frog Ltd, 1999.
Tisserand, Robert, Essential Oil Safety, 2nd Edition 2014, pages 215-216.
Tisserand, Robert, Wintergreen Safety
WebMD: https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-783/wintergreen
Worwood, Valerie Ann, The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, New World Library, 2016, page 571-572.

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May the Lord guide you continually, preserving your health and watering your life when you are dry. May you be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring full of hope for your future in His care.
From Isaiah 58:11 & Jeremiah 29:11