Birch oil: Effect and application of the essential oil

The essential birch oil is obtained from the white bark of the sugar birch. It has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory and beneficial effect on the body and mind. Here you will find out everything you need to know about the extraction, effects and use of birch oil.

The birch is an undemanding tree found almost everywhere in the northern hemisphere. Their bark, leaves and buds are popular home remedies for a wide variety of ailments. Birch oil can be obtained from the bark of the sugar birch.

Birch oil is used, among other things, for muscle pain, respiratory diseases, rheumatism or sciatica. It also has a harmonizing and mood-enhancing effect with its lovely scent.

Worth knowing about birch oil

Birch oil is an essential oil. Essential oils are substances obtained from plant components: Depending on the plant, different parts are processed into an essence. Essential oils have been used in natural history for many centuries due to their healing properties.

Oil can be obtained from both the bark and the buds of the birch tree. This is how the different oils differ:

• Birch oil comes from the white bark of the sugar birch. It is an almost transparent essential oil.

• Birch tar oil is also obtained from the bark, but from that of other birch species, primarily silver birch. The so-called birch tar is a dark pitch that is produced during the distillation of birch bark. Strictly speaking, it is not an essential oil.

• For the essential birch bud oil, the essence is distilled from the young blossoms of the tree with the help of steam.

By the way: Birch leaves are also a valuable remedy. They are not suitable for extracting essential oils, but taste delicious in health-promoting teas.

Birch oil in production: How it is obtained

The production of birch oil is a complex process. It is obtained from the ethereal essence of the bark of the sweet birch (Betula lenta). The extraction process is called steam distillation.

In this process, the bark is heated with steam. It releases its fragrance molecules to the rising water vapor. This is then fed into a cooling coil, where it immediately condenses. The condensate consists of water and birch oil. Because oil is less dense than water, the birch oil floats and settles on the surface of the condensate. A special valve then makes it possible to drain the water and collect the oil.

At the end of the steam distillation, an almost transparent oil is formed.

This is how birch oil works

Birch oil contains betulinol, a chemical that gives birch bark its white color. It also protects the tree from infections and also has an anti-inflammatory effect on human skin.

In addition to betulinol, birch oil contains up to 99 percent natural methyl salicylate. The salicylate is a precursor to aspirin and is used in painkillers. Unlike aspirin, the body can absorb the active ingredients in birch oil directly through the skin. However, people with an aspirin allergy should avoid birch oil.

Birch oil has an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, cleansing, expectorant and calming effect. In addition, gentle, balsamic scent soothing for the spirit. The essential oils are harmonizing and encouraging.

Areas of action of birch oil include:

• joint pain and muscle aches

• Skin diseases, rash, eczema

• cellulite
• Cold with phlegm
• rheumatism
• gout
• sciatica complaints

Apply birch oil

Birch oil is particularly suitable for external use, as the skin absorbs the active ingredients well. But you can also use birch oil for internal use.

Always dilute birch oil before using it. In its pure form it is highly concentrated and can cause irritation and skin irritation. For example, you can dilute the oil by adding 1 to 5 drops of birch oil to 1 tablespoon of carrier oil. Gentle oils such as apricot oil or jojoba oil are suitable as carrier oil. Then gently massage the oil into the skin and apply to painful areas.

Birch oil is used in these forms:

• ointments and creams
• balm
• baths
• compresses
• Sauna scent and steam bath

Birch oil, like most essential oils, has no side effects other than a potential allergy. Overdosing can cause stomach problems and kidney problems. Pregnant women should only use birch oil very diluted.

Read more on Techzle.com:

• Birch sap: The soft drink from the tree trunk
• Birch wood: features, advantages and disadvantages of timber
• Pine tree top recipes: How to use the healing power of the needles