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pain & recovery
Birch essential oil helps with some of the minor, uncomfortable parts of getting older such as tired limbs and joints. Despite what popular culture may tell us, there are a lot of wonderful things about getting older. For one, we likely no longer have to worry about passing tests or breaking curfews. We have grown to know ourselves better and maybe even accept the less than perfect pieces of our lives.
Birch essential oil is often added to lotions, massage oils and body salves to support seniors and others with super-active lifestyles. Throughout the ages Birch oil has been used as a skin tonic and brightener. Early settlers to America witnessed Native Americans using the inner bark of the birch tree as an infusion and flavorful tonic tea. True Birch essential oil has a captivating top note aroma.
Birch trees can tower up to 50 to 80 feet in height. The top-quality oil that EG carries ensures that the bark has been soaked in warm water for at least 10-12 hours prior to the most effective extraction. There are more than 40 different varieties of birch and the sweet birch tree is also known as black birch.
Botanical Name: Betula lenta
Origin: Canada
Method: Steam Distilled
Plant Part: Bark
Note: Top
Family: Betulaceae
Synonym: Black Birch, Cherry Birch, Mahogany Birch, Southern Birch
Blends Well With: Peppermint and other mints
Aroma: Camphorous, sweet, and considered to be similar to Wintergreeen
Consistency: Thin
Color: Clear
Safety: Keep out of reach of children. Do not use if pregnant or nursing. Avoid contact with eyes. Do not use internally unless instructed by a licensed aromatherapist or physician.
Avoid around the time of surgery or if on anticoagulants, have bleeding disorders or have a salicylate sensitivity. Possible drug interactions.
Adult Max Dilution: 2.5%
Shelf Life: 3-5 Years
Pet Safety: Essential oils are generally safe to diffuse around adult cats and dogs intermittently. Ensure the room you’re diffusing in is well ventilated and that your pet can leave if desired. Discontinue use if you notice any adverse reaction. Avoid topical use and diffusing around young pets, small animals or pets with health problems.
- Birch essential oil is made via steam distillation. In steam distillation, plant material is placed in a still, water is added, then heat is applied to the unit. As water heats, plants release their essential oil, the oil rises with steam droplets that are sucked into a pipe and the oil and water are then separated. While it may not be possible to make Birch essential oil at home without a still, you can make aromatic hydrosol water that contains many of the same therapeutic benefits as essential oil. Click here for instructions on how to make your own hydrosol.
- There are several ways to effectively use Birch essential oil and obtain its benefits, including 1.) Add 10 drops to your essential oil diffuser per 100 ml of water. 2.) Add 10 drops to an Essential Oil Inhaler and take it with you for on-the-go therapeutic use. 3.) Create a spray by combining 20 drops Birch and 1 tablespoon 190-proof grain alcohol in a glass spray bottle. After a few hours, add 3 tablespoons of distilled water. Spray onto surfaces and in the air to refresh your space.
- Animals such as dogs metabolize essential oils very differently than humans. And with a sense of smell 10,000 to 100,000 times more acute than humans, animals are more affected by essential oil diffusion than one might think. With that said, due to Birch essential oil’s many precautions, we don’t recommend using this oil around your dog. If you’ve already used Birch essential oil around your dog and notice behavioral differences, such as whining, scratching or acting loopy, move your dog to fresh air and contact your veterinarian. If you wish to use Birch essential oil without affecting your dog, inhale it using an Essential Oil Inhaler and Mio Mist Diffuser or use it topically.
- Methyl salicylate is the main component in Birch essential oil. It is the active ingredient found in aspirin and in its own rite a natural blood thinner. Due to this component, Birch essential oil can be potentially toxic. For those who take blood thinning medications, or who are suffer from hemophelia, Birch essential oil is contraindicated. Avoid the use of Birch before and after surgery as it can inhibit blood clotting. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, it is also recommended to avoid the use of Birch. Avoid Birch also with children under the age of 10 due to potential development of Reyes syndrome and those with Salicylate sensitivities, especially in regard to those who have been diagnosed with ADD/ADHD.
- Birch can remind people of the smell of root beer and Wintergreen. It has a sharp and invigorating aromatic that has sweet undertones and twinges of mint that can invite relaxing and relieve stress. As a top note, the different aromas arrive to your sense of smell first in a blend and give off a strong, camphorous twinge on top of the sweet, minty notes. Diluted in massage oil blends with carrier oil, it can enhance body care by reducinge joint pain and ease sore muscles as well as boost immunity.
MUSCLE MASSAGE Add to a 2 ounce squeeze bottle: 6 drops each of Birch, Spearmint, Black Pepper and Helichrysum, then fill with Jojoba oil and shake well to mix. Apply enough to cover the area and massage onto affected areas. (2% dilution)
MASSAGE OIL: Add the following to a 2 ounce bottle: 6 drops each of Birch, Peppermint, Frankincense and Copaiba, then fill with 2 ounces Avocado oil. Apply as needed in self-massage or after bath to revitalize. (2% dilution)
SKIN SMOOTHER: Make a sugar scrub to exfoliate and invigorate the skin by mixing: 4 drops of Birch, 6 drops of Cypress, 5 drops of Tangerine and 5 drops of Cedarwood (Atlas) with 1/2 cup of granulated sugar, 1/4 cup of Jojoba and 1/4 cup of Sesame. Stir to mix well and pack into a jar for storage. Use in the shower, on wet skin. Gently massage 1-2 tablespoons onto thighs and buttocks for several minutes. Rinsing away the sugar will leave the oils behind to work therapeutically, so you may want to use as a last step after washing (soap will remove conditioning oils).
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