Monograph: Birch, White

Date: 2019-07-01

NHPID name

Betula pubescens ( Germplasm Resources Information Network Taxonomy )

Proper name(s)

Betula pubescens ( USDA 2008 )

Common name(s)

• Birch ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• Downy birch ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )
• White birch ( McGuffin et al. 2000 )

Source material

Leaf ( Bradley 2006 , ESCOP 2003 )

Route Of administration

Oral

Dosage form(s)

• Acceptable dosage forms for the age category listed in this monograph and specified route of administration are indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.
• This monograph excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of Monographs Guidance Document.

Use(s) or purpose(s)

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic.

Dose(s)

Duration of use

For occasional use only.

Risk information

Statement(s) to the effect of:

Caution(s) and Warning(s):

• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician if symptoms persist or worsen.
• Consult a health care practitioner/health care provider/health care professional/doctor/ physician prior to use if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have swelling due to a kidney or cardiovascular disorder.

Contraindication(s): No statement is required Known Adverse Reaction(s): No statement is required

Non-medicinal ingredients

Must be chosen from the current Natural health products ingredients database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.

Specifications

• The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the NHPD Quality of natural health products guide.
• The medicinal ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the Natural health products ingredient database (NHPID).
• The medicinal ingredient may comply with the specifications outlined in the Birch Leaf Monographs published in the European or British Pharmacopoeias.

References cited

• Berardi RR, DeSimone EM, Newton GD, Oszko MA, Popovich NG, Rollins CJ, Shimp LA, Tietze KJ, editors. Handbook of Nonprescription Drugs: An Interactive Approach to Self-Care, 13th edition. Washington (DC): American Pharmaceutical Association; 2002.
• Blumenthal M, Busse W, Goldberg A, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Riggins C, Rister R, editors. The Complete German Commission E Monographs: Therapeutic Guide to Herbal Medicines. Austin (TX): American Botanical Council; 1998.
• Bradley PR, editor. British Herbal Compendium: A Handbook of Scientific Information on Widely Used Plant Drugs, Volume 2. Bournemouth (UK): British Herbal Medicine Association; 2006.
• Brinker F. 2001. Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications.
• CPA 2002: Canadian Pharmacists Association. Patient Self-Care. Helping Patients Make Therapeutic Choices. Ottawa (ON): Canadian Pharmacists Association; 2002.
• ESCOP 2003: ESCOP Monographs: The Scientific Foundation for Herbal Medicinal Products, 2nd edition. Exeter (UK): European Scientific Cooperative on Phytotherapy and Thieme; 2003.
• Hoffmann D. 2003. Medical Herbalism: The Science and Practice of Herbal Medicine. Rochester (VT): Healing Arts Press.
• McGuffin M, Kartesz JT, Leung AY, Tucker AO, editors. 2000. Herbs of Commerce, 2nd edition. Austin(TX): American Herbal Products Association.
• USDA 2008: ARS, National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville (MD). [Accessed 2008-01-21]. Available at http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/tax_search.pl

References reviewed

• Brinker F. 2010. Online Updates and Additions to Herb Contraindications and Drug Interactions, 3rd edition. Sandy (OR): Eclectic Medical Publications. [Updated 2010 July 13; Accessed 2013 January 30]. Available from: http://www.eclecticherb.com/emp/updatesHCDI.html
• Grieve M. 1971. A Modern Herbal, Volume 1. New York (NY): Dover Publications [Reprint of 1931 Harcourt, Brace & Company publication].
• McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, editors. 1997. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press.

Appendix 1: Examples of appropriate dosage preparations, frequencies of use and directions for use

Dried leaf:

2 - 3 g, several times per day [not to exceed 9 g per day] (Blumenthal et al. 1998)

Infusion:

• 2 - 3 g dried leaf, several times per day [not to exceed 9 g per day] (Bradley 2006)
• 2 - 3 g dried leaf, 2-3 times per day (ESCOP 2003)

Directions for use:

Pour 250 ml of boiling water on dried leaf and steep for 10 minutes (Hoffmann 2003).

Tincture:

• 0.2 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day (1:10, 2 ml) (ESCOP 2003)
• 0.2 - 0.4 g dried equivalent, 3 times per day (1:5, 25% alcohol, 1-2 ml) (Hoffmann 2003)