The Birch bark is often distilled with wintergreen leaves and birch oil has often been substituted for wintergreen. This decorative tree is native to the northern hemisphere and grows up to 15-20 meters in height. In Scandinavia, young birch leaflets and twigs are bound into bundles and used in the sauna to tone the skin and promote the circulation.
The Birch oil has a bitter, pungent taste with cooling, moisturizing energy. Its effects are diaphoretic, diuretic, analgesic, astringent, dissolves uric acid, alterative. It is sometimes used in after-shave lotions because it has a smell reminiscent of leather. Its most therapeutic uses involve external application especially for sore, cramped muscles and for skin or scalp irritations. It mixes well with
Wintergreen oil, Eucalyptus oil, Myrtle oil, Juniper oil, Orange oil, Lavender oil, Pine oil, Fir oiland
Rosemary oil. However, this oil should not be used on a person, who is underweight.
Uses of Birch Oil
It is used as massage oil for compresses and bath.
It is excellent for hair growth.
External application for sore, cramped muscles, and skin irritation.
