Latin name

Betula Lenta

Synonyms

B. capinefolia, cherry birch, southern birch, mahogany birch, mountain mahogany

Plant family

Betulaceae

Extraction

Steam distillation of the bark macerated in warm water.

Origin

 Native to Southern Canada and Southern USA

Plant characteristics

A graceful tree about 25 meters high which has pyramidal shape whist young. It has bright green leaves and a dark reddish brown aromatic bark, which is broken in to plates or patches.

Oil characteristics

Colourless, pale yellow or reddish tinted liquid with an intense, sweet-woody, winter-green-like smell

Traditional use

The flavour of Wintergreen and birch bark, in the form of tea, was popular with the American Indians and European settlers. More recently, this has been translated into a preference for ‘root beer’ flavourings.

Cautions and comments

Menthyl salicylate ( produced during maceration process) major constituent, is very harmful in concentration and is classed as an environmental hazard or marine pollutant. Do not use with asthmatics or children under 14 years old. (Almost identical in composition to wintergreen oil).

Main chemical constituents

Methyl Salicylate (98%)