Birch bark essential oil of Oshadhi

Birch bark essential oil

The word birch (from Old High German bircha) is due to a term in Indo-European (*bherHgo) and means as much as “shiny, shimmering” in allusion to the light bark (cf. still Middle High German bereht, English bright, -brecht (as part of the name) “shining”). (Wiki)

The fascinating world of birch trees: they grow up to 30 meters high and start the first 20 years with a rapid growth of one meter per year before taking their time. The birch and especially the birch bark is used for many things (more). The birch bark essential oil is obtained from the bark of the sugar birch (Betula lenta).

There are a total of 3 different types of essential oils that can be extracted from birch trees.

• Birch bark essential oil: The actual birch oil is obtained from the bark of the sugar birch by water vapor distillation. The oil is slightly yellowish to transparent and smells fine balsamic. Its main ingredient is methyl salicylate with a total content of over 99.
• Birch tar oil: Birch tar oil is extracted from the so-called birch tar – a precursor of birch pitch. The oil is produced in a classic distillation. It is a dark brown liquid and smells slightly terpentine-like. Its main active ingredients are phenol, cresol, betulin, xylenol, brenzcatechin and guajacol
• Birch bud oil: This oil is extracted in Northern Europe from the dried buds of the hanging birch. Its most effective ingredients are betulin, terpenes and caryophyllene
• DUFTCOMBINATIONS: Combines well with all essential oils, ideal with conifers, juniper,oregano, peppermint, ylang ylang, thyme and vanilla

Caution: Before internal and external use of birch bark essential oil please consult specialist books, doctor or aromatherapist.

Birch oil should never be applied pure, as the oil has a strong irritant effect on our skin. In addition, this oil should only be applied to the skin in dilutions of less than 25% so that not too much of the salicylates can penetrate through the skin into the tissue. If you want to use the oil against dandruff or too dry scalp, you can simply add a few drops to your shampoo.

If you want to take birch oil orally, it is recommended to mix it with some honey, as birch oil tastes very bitter. If you want to use birch oil as a classic fragrance oil, you can simply heat it in its pure form in a fragrance lamp or diffuser.

Main chemotypes: Methyl Salicylate, Ethyl Salicylate, 1,8-Cineole

INCI: Betula lenta Bark Oil

ALLERGENES: limonene, linalool, eugenol