The Healing Brew: Exploring the Health Benefits of Birch Tea

A few days ago, I tried to harvest the sap of a Silver birch tree. It has a delightful, delicious and sweet smell! However, I had left it too late this year as the leaves had begun to form, so no sap was available. A topic for next Spring’s blog then!

The most sustainable way to harvest the sap, is by breaking off a branch and placing a bottle underneath the branch where it was sheared off. (Ideally a plastic one though, so if it falls, it won’t shatter. Causing a potential danger to any wildlife around). The sap can later be transferred into a glass container, to avoid the sap absorbing and microplastics. This is more sustainable then tapping the main trunk, as it leaves the bulk of the tree unaffected to any infection that the “bleeding” of the sap might cause. Branch tapping is much slower, but at least the whole tree won’t be susceptible to infection.

Silver birch, the national tree of Finland, has a unique and striking white colour. The bark was historically used to weave shoes by the Finnish people. Perhaps they used Mullein to avoid getting any splinters? The Finns also use the branches to gently beat themselves in the sauna! The bark is also heated to make resin for the production of waterproof glue. It is a great source of firewood even when damp too! In times of famine, the bark was used to create flour. Xylitol is a sweetner made from the sap, it is believed to have 40% less sugar than regular sugar.

The leaves of silver birch are used to reduce inflammation and detox the body. They have natural soothing qualities that can be used to reduce skin inflammation. After brewing a birch tea, you can use the leaves to make a face mask. Personally, I have not tried this yet though. Maybe it might be best to only use it if you do not have sensitive skin. In times of famine, silver birch were used to create a flour from the bark.

Birch Tea

Requirements:

• A teapot.

• A strainer if the spout is big enough for leaves to pass.

• A Tablespoon.

• Mugs.

• Sieve.

• Kettle.

Ingredients:

• A tablespoon of silver birch leaves per person/mug (I used 4 as my teapot can serve 4 people).

• A mug of water per person!

Recipe:

1. Put the kettle on!

2. Wash silver birch leaves under cold water.

3. Add the leaves to teapot and let them infuse for 5-7 minutes. (I like my tea strong, so I left it for 10 and it had a mild bitter taste to it).

4. Your tea is ready to serve!

Ready to serve! Compared to other herbal teas, I do prefer birch! Thought I’d make use of my indian chai glasses and teapot for this occasion.

A look inside to watch the leaves brew!

A close up of the leaves!

Lovely woodlands! You can see some Gorse in the background! If you’re interested in a coridal recipe for Gorse feel free to check out my gorse cordial recipe!

A clearing between some beautiful trees.

I loved this evening stroll! Further down the silver birches were plentiful! Such a peaceful walk listening to many birds, pheasants and listening to the local church bells ringing in the distance.

A Silver birch is the tree closest in the foreground, with the distinctive white-ish bark and light green leaves!

Thanks for reading! I hope you enjoy making and drinking the tea!