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Herbal profile: Birch

Name

Birch

Latin name

Betulaceae

Traditional uses

Traditionally, a tea infusion made from birch leaves is used to support kidney function. Birch leaf tea is also said to have a “blood-purifying” effect. A decoction made from birch bark can be applied externally for skin conditions. Birch sap (tapped from the trunk or thick branches in spring) is used in humans to strengthen hair and promote hair growth. When applied externally, it is believed to help horses with sweet itch and to support wound healing.

Scientifically proven application(s)

Active ingredients: 3% flavonoids in the dried leaves, along with tannins, bitter substances, saponins, vitamin C, and essential oil. Saponins can help with bladder infections and lower uric acid levels – beneficial for rheumatism and gout.
Effects: Anti-inflammatory, diuretic, pain-relieving, metabolism-stimulating, antioxidant, antimicrobial.

Contraindications

Stagnation and oedema due to renal and cardiac insufficiency

When is it collected

Leaves are best collected in May – during this time, they have the highest content of active substances. However, collection is possible as long as the leaves are present, so throughout the summer as well.
Birch sap is tapped in spring (March/April) by drilling into branches with a minimum diameter of 10 cm. The sap is collected, and the hole is then sealed with a natural cork and beeswax.

Which parts of the plant are used?

Leaves, bark, sap

How is it prepared

The leaves can be fed fresh or dried, or prepared as a tea. The sap can be used fresh or portioned, frozen, and thawed as needed. Branches can be offered to horses for chewing in the paddock, for example after pruning or storm damage.

Trivia

Birch trees are commonly found in light deciduous and coniferous forests, moors, quarries, and woodland clearings. They are undemanding, fast-growing plants and are also suitable for horse paddocks, as their trunks are usually not chewed on. In summer, after rain, birches can help dry out paddocks more quickly.
Birch bark is an excellent tinder and catches fire even when wet. Birch bark has been used for over 50,000 years to produce birch tar, which served many purposes — from waterproof sealant to chewing gum.
“Birch sugar” (xylitol) is used today as a sweetener in the food industry.

Sanoanimal Herbal advice:

The Germanic peoples valued birch as a healing plant long before Hildegard of Bingen’s time. Birch leaves are among the first greenery to appear in spring. They are especially popular with horses and are readily eaten.
The bark of thicker branches and trunks seems to be less palatable, though. Horses tend to prefer the birch wood itself or thinner twigs. This could be due to the sugary sap that flows through the birch wood, giving it a slightly sweet taste.
This sap can be harvested in spring by drilling into the tree, and it is still used as a traditional refreshing drink in many countries.
Birch bark was also historically used to aid in wound healing.

Thanks to the flavonoids, tannins, and saponins contained in birch leaves, they have a positive effect on water balance and kidney function. Like nettles, blackberry leaves, goldenrod, yarrow, and juniper, birch leaves stimulate urine production. They also support the elimination of waste products through the kidneys. Thus, birch leaves – or herbal blends containing birch leaves – can support horses during coat change and be used during detox courses or for rheumatic issues. Naturally, birch leaves can also be fed outside the coat change season.

Birch leaves
© Sanoanimal

Birch is very versatile: as a chewing activity or as a structural element

Birch is also excellent for keeping horses occupied and offering them something to nibble on. However, it’s important to remember that it cannot replace hay – it can only be offered as a supplement. Some breeds, due to their origin, have a higher need for lignin, so offering branches and twigs can help satisfy their natural urge to chew wood. Birch trunks can also be placed in paddocks as structural features, helping to extend movement paths or encouraging horses to step over them — a great exercise for back muscles and leg coordination. Because trunks are usually left untouched as long as their protective bark remains intact, they often stay in place for quite some time.
However, birch wood decomposes relatively quickly, as it belongs to the group of softwoods. Therefore, you should expect to replace the trunks more frequently — which also adds variety for the horses as they have to rethink their movement paths. Birch is not suitable for building long-lasting structures such as steps or permanent path boundaries; it’s better to use hardwoods for these purposes.

Birch has numerous positive effects on equine health

Although birch is a traditionally used plant and is included in many herbal blends for horses, there are still relatively few scientific studies on it. Traditionally, it is believed that birch stimulates the horse’s immune system. Studies show that birch is effective against degenerative joint diseases and has anti-carcinogenic properties. There are also indications that birch leaves have a positive effect on detoxification.

Due to its many positive effects on the detoxification processes, birch can be used for a wide range of conditions. It helps with inflammatory diseases, urinary tract issues thanks to its diuretic effect, liver disorders, and skin problems such as eczema or itching — conditions that often have their roots in impaired detoxification. Thanks to its bitter substances, birch leaves also have a positive impact on gut health.

Birch is particularly helpful for horses in supporting kidney function and regulating blood sugar and insulin levels. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory, diuretic, pain-relieving, and metabolism-stimulating effects, birch leaves can be especially useful in equine feeding during coat change and in times of increased strain on the detoxification systems (e.g., after medication treatments).

Sources

  • Fleischhauer, Steffen Guido et al. (2011): Essbare Wildpflanzen – 200 Arten bestimmen und verwenden. AT Verlag. Baden und München.
  • Fritz, Dr. Christina; Maleh, Souel (2020): Zivilisationskrankheiten des Pferdes – ganzheitliche Behandlung chronischer Krankheiten. Thieme Verlag, Stuttgart. 2.updated edition.
  • Gupta, R. C., Chang, D., Nam, B., & Osterburg, J. (2019). Effects of feeding birch leaf powder on the fecal microbiota, fecal fermentation products, nutrient digestibility, and growth performance of horses. Journal of Equine Veterinary Science, 80, 37-44.
  • Khandouzi, N., et al. “Effects of Betula pendula on lipid metabolism and antioxidative status in high-fat diet-induced obese rats.” Journal of physiology and biochemistry 72.2 (2016): 327-336.
  • Peper, K.-H. (2015): Lexikon der Ostfriesischen Natur- und Volksheilkunde -Gesammeltes Wissen von 1560 bis heute. Isensee Verlag. Oldenburg.
  • Prahalathan, P., Kumar, S., Raja, B. (Juni 2012): Effect of morin, a flavonoid against DOCA-salt hypertensive rats: a dose dependent study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609328/ (zuletzt aufgerufen am 21.03.2023)
  • Prusak, K., Mahoney, J. (April 2014): An integrated mind-body approach to arthritis: a pilot study. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003709/ (zuletzt aufgerufen am 21.03.2023)
  • Schulz, V., et al. “Rationale Phytotherapie.” Berlin: Springer-Verlag (1996): 105-106.
  • Wittek, Cornelia (2019): Heilpflanzen & Hausmittel für Pferde. Franckh-Kosmos Verlags-GmbH Co, Stuttgart.
  • Rastogi, S., Pandey, M. M., & Rawat, A. K. S. (2015). Medicinal plants of the genus Betula—Traditional uses and a phytochemical–pharmacological review. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 159, 62-83.
  • Vinod, M., Singh, M., Pradhan, M., Iyer, S. K., & Tripathi, D. K. (2012). Phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Betula alba Linn. A review. Int J of Pharm Tech res, 4(2), 643-647.

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