Essential Oil Birch (15 mL)

Essential Oil Birch

Birch essential oil, also known as sweet birch oil, is rich in methyl salicylates and has a long history of use for sore and fatigued muscles. The familiar, soothing aroma of birch oil is reminiscent of the inside of a doctor’s bag in the day of house calls. This therapeutically wide-spectrum stimulating and cleansing oil has a bright, refreshing aroma, and can be kept in mind for restoring comfort to the overworked body and the agitated or cloudy mind.

Birch oil is a purifying, uplifting and stimulating oil that encourages detoxification of the body when inhaled or applied topically. The properties in birch essential oil promote comfort and relaxation, and support the body’s own ability to boost effectiveness of it’s healing cycles. These properties render it useful in overcoming feelings of sadness, inertia or fear.

Traditionally, applied topically, birch oil was used as an astringent and was recognized for centuries as among the most effective of toners and tighteners of skin. Its active ingredients of salicylic acid and methyl salicylate make this minty, versatile oil an excellent choice for supporting skin health. Consider adding it in very small concentrations to some of your favorite skin care routines.

The noble smooth bark of wild-harvested Betula lenta trees in Canada is removed, pulverized, and then steam-distilled to produce this potent and refreshing classic essential oil.

AROMA: Birch’s sweet wintergreen fragrance supports sore muscles and imparts a cool freshness that is instantly soothing and uplifting to the mind.

HISTORY OF USE

Both birch bark and wintergreen were popular herbal teas among Native American and European settlers in the 1700s. Today birch bark is used as a fragrance component in men’s perfumes, and more extensively as a flavouring agent in chewing gum, toothpaste and especially in root beer.

Birch oil production is in decline as most industries have replaced the natural oil with commercial synthetics. The wintergreen plant, also known as eastern teaberry, produces an essential oil with naturally occurring methyl salicylates and has a very similar smell and traditional use to birch oil.

Betula lenta is also known as black birch or spice birch. As well as supplying essential oil, this tree can also be tapped and a strong syrup can be collected similar to maple syrup, although it is much stronger and similar to molasses.

HEALTH BENEFITS

Antidepressant & Stimulant

Birch Oil is a stimulant by nature. It stimulates the nervous, circulatory, digestive and excretory systems. It also stimulates the endocrine glands that result in more secretions of enzymes and essential hormones. This can play a beneficial role in diseases associated with the improper secretion of hormones, including diabetes, where the enhanced insulin production will help lower the blood sugar levels.

Febrifuge

It helps reduce body temperature during fever by promoting perspiration. This also helps in the removal of toxins from the body through sweat during fever, further improving the condition of the patient and leading towards a faster recovery time.

Analgesic & Antispasmodic

Birch oil is helpful in reducing pain in the joints and muscles, as well as pain associated with headaches and toothaches. It is also antispasmodic and relieves cramping throughout the body.

Antirheumatic & Anti-Arthritic

Since it stimulates circulatory system and improves circulation, birch oil is very helpful in giving relief in diseases associated with improper circulation such as edema (swelling), rheumatism, and arthritis. The detoxifying property of birch oil also aids in this, as it removes toxins from the body which are the root causes of these circulatory diseases.

Astringent & Tonic

For ages, birch oil has been in use as a skin toner. Regular external application (in low dosages) effectively reduces wrinkles and sagging of the skin and muscles. Its astringent property strengthens gums, hair and tightens muscles. Thus it makes you look younger and may help you get back into a more youthful lifestyle, even when you are well into your forties or fifties.

Detoxifier & Depurative

Birch oil helps to remove toxins like uric acid from the blood through increased urination and perspiration (being diuretic and stimulant in nature). In other words, this purifies the blood; a depurative is an agent that purifies something.

Germicide & Insecticide

Birch oil is an excellent germicide and insecticide, mainly due to presence of Salicylic Acid and Methyl Salicylate contained in it. These two components are excellent cures for eczema, ring worm and other skin diseases and infections. You might have seen medicinal preparations like lotions and creams for ring worm and eczema containing these two components. Birch oil is a natural source of these beneficial compounds.

Diuretic

Birch oil promotes urination. Betulenol and Betulene are the two components which are responsible for this property. Urination helps body in many ways.

It helps people to lose weight, removes toxins from the body, promotes digestion, cures infections in the urinary system, cleans the kidneys and lowers blood pressure. Urination also helps prevent the formation of kidney stones and conditions like gout and arthritis.

Other Benefits

Used as a tonic, it gives feelings of strength, warmth and vitality. It is ideal for use in extremely cold climates.

A Few Words of Caution

Sweet Birch (Betula Lenta) oil is toxic and can cause skin irritations. Pregnant women should avoid birch oil due to its powerful effects that could hurt their unborn child.

Blending: Birch Oil blends well with Benzoin, Sandalwood, Rosemary and Jasmine Oils.