A tree reaching heights of 15 to 25 m, Betula alba L. grows throughout eastern Europe, Russia, northern China and
Japan. B. lenta L. is widespread in North America, from Canada to Ohio. Silver birch (B. Pendula) is a beautiful tree in every season,
with peeling white bark, spring catkins, delicate summer leaves turning yellow in autumn and a tracery of twigs in winter. The parts
used are buds, leaves and bark (B. alba and B. lenta).
Essential oil composition
Bud oil from B. alba contains, among other constituents, betulene, betulenene, p-betulenol, naphthalene
and formic acid. Essential oil is obtained by distillation of birch tar; B. pendula Roth contains phenol, cresol, diemthylphenol,
creosote, guaiacol, sesquiterpenes and other unsapanofiable products. The characteristic leathery and smoky odor is attributed to the
latter. Phenolic derivatives can be eliminated by alkaline washing.
