Birch

Birches have spiritual importance in several religions, both modern and historical. In Celtic cultures, the birch symbolises growth, renewal, stability, initiation and adaptability because it is highly adaptive and able to sustain harsh conditions with casual indifference. Proof of this adaptability is seen in its easy and eager ability to repopulate areas damaged by forest fires or clearings. The Celtic calendar starts the new year with the month of the Birch Moon, signifying a time of renewal. Birches are also associated with the Tír na nÓg, the land of the dead and the Sidhe, in Gaelic folklore, and as such frequently appear in Scottish, Irish, and English folksongs and ballads in association with death, or fairies, or returning from the grave.

Traditionally, couples used to marry by jumping over a birch twig brush to symbolize their new beginning together in life. The branches were marked with ogham and carried for protection in small pouches as well as given to newlyweds for fertility. To ward off the evil eye, tie a red ribbon on the branch of one of these lovely trees. To exorcise people and animals by gently striking them with the twigs of this tree. Birch will also protect against lightening. In Wales, the Birch is a tree of love, and wreaths are made out of the branches and twigs as tokens of love. When beginning a new project or journey, call upon the powers of the Birch as it is also a tree of new beginnings and new view points. Birch rods are used in protection spells and carried to protect from malicious magics (crossing/hexing).

The birch is a very important element in Russian culture and represents the grace, strength, tenderness and natural beauty of Russian women as well as the closeness to nature of the Russians. It’s associated with marriage and love. There are numerous folkloric Russian songs in which the birch tree occurs.

Medical usages

• Birch bark is high in betulin and betulinic acid, phytochemicals which have potential as pharmaceuticals.
• Birch buds are used in folk medicine.
• Birch bark can be soaked until moist in water, and then formed into a cast for a broken arm.
• In northern latitudes, birch is considered to be the most important allergenic tree pollen.
• Birches are used in Russia for health and a healthy skin since ancient times.
• The resinous substance secreted by young shoots and leaves have acidic properties and when combined with alkalies, create a tonic laxative.
• Birch Tea is valuable in dissolving kidney stones.
• A decoction (boiled in water) will aid skin eruptions and dropsy by bathing the area with the birch bark water.