Medical: Birch bark may be used externally to ease muscle pain by placing the wet, internal side against the skin. A decoction of the leaves may be used as a mild sedative for sleeping trouble and the juice of the leaves may be taken for baldness.

Spiritual:In folklore, tying a red ribbon around the stem or branch of a birch tree would ward off the evil eye. Because of its purificatory and cleansing properties as well as its association with the Underworld, birch twigs can be used to exorcise evil spirits by gently striking possessed people or animals. Babies’ cradles were once made from birch wood to protect their innocent charges and the birch was also used for protection against lightning.

THIS HERB IS NOT SOLD FOR THERAPEUTIC, MEDICINAL, OR COSMETIC USE, AND IS NOT TO BE CONSUMED.