Downy Birch
Information about properties also apply to many other birch spp.
Botanical name: Betula pubescens
Family: Birch (Betulaceae)
Collectability: common, widespread, plentiful, good
Main benefit
urinary system
Use - overview
Features and Identification
Habitat
Type: woods, scrub
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: damp
Other: pioneer
General
Growth type: tree
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 20 meters
Other: delicate
Leaf
Shape: heart
Texture: downy
Arrangement: alternate, often pairs
Edge: toothed
Trunk
Colour: rusty brown, later with white patches
Texture: papery, peeling
Flower
Shape: catkins
Arrangement: male: hanging; female: erect
When: April to May
Other: with leaves
Colour:
Seed
Size: tiny
Type: woods, scrub
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Prefers: damp
Other: pioneer
General
Growth type: tree
Cycle: deciduous
Height: up to 20 meters
Other: delicate
LeafShape: heart
Texture: downy
Arrangement: alternate, often pairs
Edge: toothed
TrunkColour: rusty brown, later with white patches
Texture: papery, peeling
FlowerShape: catkins
Arrangement: male: hanging; female: erect
When: April to May
Other: with leaves
Colour:
Seed
Size: tiny
When Available?
April to July - best April and May
all year early March April and May August and SeptemberParts with black and white icons are for non-culinary use
Culinary Use
Flavour
Rating and Description:
mildly balsamic
watery, bland, astringent
How to Consume
young: raw, tea; leaf curd
raw, syrup, wine, vinegar
young: raw
cooked, flour
Special preparation
tea: 30-60g/litre, cool to 40° C, add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to dissolve active principles, leave to infuse for a few hours
Nutrition
starch
Used as ...
food
tea
beverage
Rating and Description:
mildly balsamic watery, bland, astringentHow to Consume
young: raw, tea; leaf curd raw, syrup, wine, vinegar young: raw cooked, flourSpecial preparation
tea: 30-60g/litre, cool to 40° C, add a pinch of bicarbonate of soda to dissolve active principles, leave to infuse for a few hoursNutrition
starchUsed as ...
food tea beverage
Medicinal Use
Action:
(inner bark) astringent, diuretic, laxative
anti-rheumatic, bitter, diaphoretic, lithontripic
May treat:
(inner bark) skin complaints
dissolves kidney and bladder stones, gout, rheumatism, water retention, renal oedema, cystitis
(inner bark) astringent, diuretic, laxative anti-rheumatic, bitter, diaphoretic, lithontripicMay treat:
(inner bark) skin complaints dissolves kidney and bladder stones, gout, rheumatism, water retention, renal oedema, cystitis
Other Use
trunk: timber; twigs: besom
Collection, Storing and Notes
Key
Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed
Parts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use
Other:
caution
leaf stem or trunk sap root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts flower fruit seedParts with black and white icons in the availability section are for non-culinary use
Use:
culinary use medicinal use household useOther:
caution
Glossary
Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances
- anti-rheumatic: treats rheumatism
- astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
- bitter: bitter-tasting; stimulates appetite, increases bile flow (essential for aiding the digestion of fat and neutralising stomach acid), regulates insulin and glycogen
- diaphoretic: promotes perspiration, aids the skin in elimination of toxins
- diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
- laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools
- lithontripic: helps prevent and removes stones from kidneys, bladder etc.
