Herb: Dwarf Birch


Latin name: Betula nana


Family: Betulaceae (Birch Family)



Medicinal use of Dwarf Birch:

The bark is antirheumatic, astringent, lithontripic, salve and sedative. Moxa is prepared from the plant and is regarded as an effective remedy in all painful diseases. No more details are given, but it is likely that the moxa is prepared from yellow fungous excretions of the wood, since the same report gives this description when talking about other members of the genus. A compound decoction of the leaves has been used in the treatment of stomach ache and intestinal discomfort.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Deciduous
Shrub

Height:
30 cm
(11 3/4 inch)

Flowering:
May

Habitat of the herb:

Mountain moors, 240 - 840 metres.

Edible parts of Dwarf Birch:

Young leaves and catkins - raw. The buds and twigs are used as a flavouring in stews.

Other uses of the herb:

Plants can be used for ground cover, forming a spreading hummock up to 1.2 metres across. An infusion of the plant is used as a hair conditioner and dandruff treatment. A yellow dye is obtained from the leaves. The plant has been used as a tinder, even when wet, and for cooking fires when there is a lack of larger wood. It is likely that the bark was used for tinder.

Propagation of Dwarf Birch:

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a light position in a cold frame. Only just cover the seed and place the pot in a sunny position. Spring sown seed should be surface sown in a sunny position in a cold frame. If the germination is poor, raising the temperature by covering the seed with glass can help. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. If you have sufficient seed, it can be sown in an outdoor seedbed, either as soon as it is ripe or in the early spring - do not cover the spring sown seed. Grow the plants on in the seedbed for 2 years before planting them out into their permanent positions in the winter.

Cultivation of the herb:

Mountain moors, 240 - 840 metres.

Known hazards of Betula nana:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.