HERBAL MONOGRAPHS BIRCH 179INDICATIONS AND USAGE
BIRCH LEAVES
Approved by Commission E:- Infections of the urinary tract
- Kidney and bladder stones
- Rheumatism
Unproven Uses: The leaves are used in flushing-out therapy
for bacterial and inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract
and for kidney gravel. They are also used in adjunct therapy
for rheumatic ailments, for increasing amount of urine. In
folk medicine, the leaves are used as a blood purifier, and for
gout and rheumatism. Externally, the leaves are used for hair
loss and dandruff.BIRCH TAR
Unproven Uses: External birch tar uses include parasitic
infestation of the skin with subsequent hair loss, rheumatism
and gout (ointment); dry eczema and dermatoses (liquid
preparations), psoriasis and other chronic skin diseases.
Birch tar is a constituent of "Unguentum contra scabiem"
that is used for the treatment of scabies.CONTRAINDICATIONS
BIRCH LEAF
The drug should not be used for edema when there is
reduced cardiac or kidney function.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
BIRCH LEAF
No health hazards or side effects are known in conjunction
with the proper administration of designated therapeutic
dosages.BIRCH TAR
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages. Birch tar
can cause irritations on sensitive skin. Administration of the
drug is not advisable, due to the possible presence of
cancerogenic hydrocarbons.DOSAGE
BIRCH LEAF
Mode of Administration: Comminuted herb or dry extracts
are used for teas; other galenic preparations and freshly
pressed plant juices can also be used internally.Preparation: Tea is prepared by pouring 150 ml hot water
over 1 to 2 dessertspoons of drug and then straining the
leaves out after 15 minutes.Daily Dosage: The average daily dose is 2 to 3 g drug
several times a day with a caution to ensure ample intake of
fluid (minimum 2 liters per day). A fresh cup of tea is taken
between meals 3 to 4 times a day
Storage: Birch leaf should be stored in sealed containers
protected from light and moisture.BIRCH TAR
Mode of Administration: Birch Tar is used in combination
preparations as external ointments and liniments.Storage: Birch tar should be stored in tightly sealed
containers.LITERATURE
BIRCH LEAF
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bringen sie. In: DAZ 136(45):4012-4015. 1996.
Bufe A, Spangfort MD, Kahlert H, Schlaak M, Becker WM,
The major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 shows ribonuclease
activity. Planta, 175:413-5, 1996.
Cadot P, LeJoly M, Van Hoeyveld EM, Stevens EA, Influence
of the pH of the extraction medium on the composition of
birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen extracts. Allergy, 108:431-7,
1995 May.
Carnat A, Lacouture I, Fraisse D, Lamaison JL, Standardization
of the birch leaf. Ann Pharm Fr, 175:231-5, 1996.
Cirla AM, Sforza N, Roffi GP, Alessandrini A, Stanizzi R,
Dorigo N, Sala E, Delia Torre F, Preseasonal intranasal
immunotherapy in birch-alder allergic rhinitis. A double-blind
study. Allergy, 175:299-305, 1996 May.
Czygan FC, Betula pendula - Die Birke. Z Phytother 10(1989):
135-139.
Davidov MI, Goriunov VG, Kubarikov PG, Phytoperfusion of
the bladder after adenomectomy. Urol Nefrol (Mosk), 175:19-
20, 1995 Sep-Oct.
Fountain DW, Berggren B, Nilsson S, Einarsson R, Expression
of birch pollen-specific IgE-binding activity in seeds and other
plant parts of birch trees (Betula verrucosa Ehrh.). Int Arch
Allergy Immunol, 98:370-6, 1992.
Hasler A et al., High-performance liquid chromatographic
determination of five widespread flavonoid aglycones. J.
Chromatogr. 508, 1(1990): 236-40.
Hiller K, Pharmazeutische Bewertung ausgewahlter Teedrogen.
In: DAZ 135(16): 1425-1440. 1995.
Horhammer L, Wagner H, Luck R, Arch Pharm 290:338-341.
1957.
Karatodorof K, Kalarova R, (1977) Izn Durzh Inst Kontrol Lek
Sredstva 10:103-9.
Keinanen M, Comparison of methods for extraction of
flavonoids from birch leaves carried out using high-performance
liquid chromatography. J. Agric. Food Chem. 41, 11(1993):
1986-90.
Kiiskinen M, Korhonen M, Kangasjaervi J, Immunological
study of- the HLA class II antigen associated wira birch pollen
allergy. Nippon Jibiinkoka Gakkai Kaiho, 35:541-50, 1992 Apr.