EXTERNALLY: Drink the tea freely when troubled with boils or skin eruptions. The oil of birch is applied
to the skin for eczema and cutaneous diseases; the tea is effective when gargled for canker and mouth
sores.
RUSSIAN EXPERIENCE: Belaya berezci, birch, is inseparable from the Russian people, as it is their most
poetic tree. The birch is known to every Russian through history, literature, poetry, songs, art, and fairy
tales. They consider it the most attractive and beautiful of all trees in the world. Besides having emotional
and spiritual popularity, the association of birch with folk medicine goes back to the oldest tale of
Russian history. Folk medicine: For centuries folk medicine has used birch in many preparations for
therapeutic results, long before clinical recognition and approval in 1834. One of the serious conditions
being cardiac dropsy. Birch buds: Gathered and preserved with vodka (nastoika) for out-of-season use
as an invaluable home medication. This is used for colds, pain, rheumatic conditions, stomach ulcers and
pain, vitality, blood purifying, appetizer, avitaminosis, liver and gallbladder, to dissolve stones of kidney
and bladder, and for many other individual complaints. Birch charcoal: Used as an absorbent in cases of
poisoning, gas bloating, and indigestion. Birch sap: In the spring is prepared as tea and is considered a
vitamin treat as a tonic for anemia, gout, scurvy, rheumatism, etc. Externally: Extract of leaves, buds, and
bark is applied to ulcers, wounds, boils, eczema, and all skin conditions of broken and unbroken surfaces;
rheumatic pain, swelling, albuminuria.
Russian history and life are unthinkable without the steam bath or banya. Once a week this is the
accepted routine. These stouthearted people prepare the room by placing leaves over hot rocks. This
expels the cleansing vapors of moist heat as hot and as long as the person’s health will stand, and
Russians excel in physical endurance. When perspiration is established, if the leaves were not placed
over the rocks, a beresovy venic, birch broom is used to vigorously thrash the body. They know any
trouble will be taken care of, whatever it is, if the person can stand the heat and the thrashing. In our
condition we can do something similar, but not as severe. Boil 2–5 pounds of leaves with enough water to
cover for 1–2 hours in a pillowcase or cotton cloth; place this in the bathtub along with enough hot water
to reach the waist when seated. Drench the shoulders, neck, back, face, and arms for as long as you feel
comfortable, using the bag of leaves like a sponge. In this case your heart will be your doctor; if you feel
weak, or relaxed to the point of falling asleep, get out. This type of herbal bath done once or twice a week
for thirty times consecutively will prove most beneficial for internal and external complaints, as the
proper function for both will be improved.