Botanical Name: Betula lenta
Type of Plant: Deciduous tree
Method of Extraction: steam distillation of the bark
This week’s Spotlight is a little bit different. Usually I would profile an oil and give you suggestions on how to incorporate that oil into your lifestyle.
However, Sweet Birch oil carries with it strong warnings and cautions. This is not an oil that the average person should be applying to their skin on a regular basis. The reason I’ve decided to include it is because of its interesting background.
The main chemical constituent of Sweet Birch is Methyl salicylate. Yes, that is the same chemical they now synthesize to make aspirin! It has a scent similar to Wintergreen, but whereas the latter is on the International Federation of Aromatherapist’s Do Not Use list, the former carries only a strong caution. It is because of the methyl salicylate content that Sweet Birch is such an excellent oil for major muscle pain and strain, but this is also what makes it potential dangerous.
In my practice, I would never use Sweet Birch on children, women who are pregnant, nursing or trying to conceive, the elderly, or anyone with a general weak constitution. Ironically, even though this oil isn’t recommended for those who are frail, you may be surprised to learn that Bengay ointment (a scent that many of us have come to associate with grandpa and his arthritis) is comprised of 30% straight methyl salicylate!
The scent of this oil is very distinct, and may be very familiar to you, even if you can’t place it right away. It’s reminiscent of a popular soft drink. Often times you’ll find this drink with a scoop of vanilla ice cream in it. Give up? I think you got my obvious hint! That’s right, Sweet Birch smells almost exactly like Root Beer! Along with sassafras, and various other herbs & twigs, such as vanilla, wintergreen, cherry tree bark, liquorice root, sarsaparilla root, nutmeg, anise, molasses, cinnamon and clove, it’s been used as a flavouring in Root Beer for years.
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