Birch

The genus birch (Betula L.) includes 40 original species that come from the Northern hemisphere, and belongs to the Betulaceae family. They are trees or shrubs that can reach 15-30 meters in height. The most common species is Betula pendula, which is considered by some scholars to be a variety of Betula alba which is commonly called “white birch.” The part of the plant that is used in phytotherapy is the leaf. Thanks to the high content of triterpenoid saponins, flavonoid glycosides and polysaccharides, its extract has long been used in folk tradition because of its diuretic, lymphatic draining, urinary antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties.