Betula Pendula
Birch Leaf / Betula Pendula / Common Birch Leaf / Dried Birch Leaves / Birch Leaf Tea
Origin: Bulgaria
Botanical Name: Betula Pendula
Other Names: White Birch, Sweet Birch, Cherry Birch, Bouleau, Berke, Bereza, Monoecia triandria, B. pubescens, B. verrucosa.
Betula pendula, commonly known as silver birch or European white birch, is a deciduous tree species native to Europe and parts of Asia. Silver birch is a medium-sized tree with distinctive features. It has a slender trunk, often with a white or silver bark that peels in horizontal strips. The branches are pendulous, creating an elegant and graceful appearance. The leaves of Betula pendula are simple, alternate, and roughly triangular in shape. They have a serrated margin and a pointed tip. The leaves are typically bright green during the growing season and turn yellow in the fall before they are shed. Birch leaf tea has a mild and slightly astringent flavor.
Usage: Use about 1 to 2 teaspoons of dried birch leaves per cup of water. Once the water is near boiling, pour it over the dried birch leaves. Allow the dried birch leaves to steep in the hot water for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain.
(It can be successfully used as a skin tonic.)
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Traditional Use
In European folk tradition, birch is the classic spring herb, used in seasonal cleansing teas. It is traditionally used:
- To support the kidneys and urinary system and the body's natural elimination of fluids
- To support comfortable joints and easy movement
- As a general tonic for energy and vitality, especially after winter
- Cooled, as a refreshing rinse for the skin and hair
Harvest & Character
Leaves are gathered from spring to early summer, when fully developed and before or during flowering; yellowed or insect-damaged leaves are discarded. Diamond-shaped, toothed leaves, dark green on top and lighter underneath, with a mild, slightly bitter taste. Birch tea is naturally acidic; traditionally a small pinch of baking soda is added to soften it.
