Day 11: Birch tea

Betula spp.

I have already been drinking birch tea this spring. It is an excellent spring tonic, and I have a tree growing right beside my house.

It’s always been a friend to me, like in the early parenting years when I would step outside my door with a crying baby and both of us would be soothed by its swaying branches.

Or while I’m working, and I glance out the window in the summer and see a flock of tiny birds hanging on a pendulous branch eating the bird-shaped seeds of the catkins. Which, by the way, cover our garden, and sometime even manage to make it into my bath!

My tree has shot up so tall to reach the light that I cannot reach the branches without a ladder anymore. So, this morning, I choose to meet a new birch friend in my local park. It has the space to droop and spread its long branches.

ID features

Birch trees are the ones whose white bark peels off in papery strips which you can draw on or write notes to a friend. Larger older trunks, like the one I visited, have lost the papery outer layer, but still have the smooth white bark in vertical portions between deep furrows of very rough brown bark.

The branches look red and so a birch tree can be identified from afar when bare in the winter from the white trunk and red branches.

The leaves are kind of triangular with a pointed tip. They are double toothed, which means that the teeth on the edge of the leaves are also serrated.

Medicinal uses

Birch is a spring tonic which helps us detoxify after winter. The winter is perhaps a time where we are more sedentary, eat richer foods and less greens. This can put extra strain on the liver.

When the liver is under pressure, toxins can be pushed out through the skin which can cause flare ups. Any herb that aids detoxification will help unburden and clear the skin.

It also benefits joints as well because they have a poor blood supply and can accumulate toxins which exacerbate joint issues. Birch improves detoxification by improving the job of the kidneys. This improved flow means that toxins that have accumulated around the joints can be moved on and excreted in the urine.

It will also help relieve swellings and water retention.

As a salicylic acid containing tree, (like willow and poplar), birch can be used for anything you’d take an aspirin for. It lowers the temperature and reduces inflammation and also relieve pain. In addition, it is antiseptic.

Birch has an affinity for the bladder and so makes great medicine for bladder infections.

How to make a cuppa

It’s tastiest and more medicinal to use the fresh new leaf buds before they open out. When they are still sticky with resin. However, the young leaves and small twigs can also be used. I cut about a 10-20cm twig complete with leaf buds and cut it into tiny pieces.

You will get some flavour by just pouring on the hot water, however, it’s even tastier if you pop it in your flask of hot water and leave it to brew for a time.

Better yet, put in a pan and bring to the boil, then leave overnight. Drink as a refreshing tonic in the morning to really appreciate the fullness of its flavour.

For a shorter infusion the tea goes an beautiful orange colour, and overnight it will turn brown.

Taste

The taste is medicinal. Resinous, floral, slightly sweet and slightly bitter. With perhaps a peppery kick at the throat.

For those Local to me:

My next herb walk is at 6.30pm on Tuesday 15th April. Meet in Peel Park, (on the Community Centre side), in Long Ashton, North Somerset, BS41 9DP. Bring a flask of hot water for a foraged tea. 

There will also be a walk in Ashton Court on Tuesday 22nd April. Meet at the entrance to the rose garden with a flask of hot water. We must be mindful that the gates to the grounds are shut at sunset, (8pm), and so we will finish promptly at 7.40pm.

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£10 cash on arrival, or pre-pay option via: https://www.healthneedsthyme.co.uk/services

 Herbal Medicine Consultations

I am a qualified medical herbalist, trained in much the same way as a GP. However, my medicines are from nature's larder. They nourish and strengthen so that your body can heal itself. I offer consultations via video call and send tonics out in the post. Email me to book an appointment: sarah-janecobley@healthneedsthyme.co.uk