Birch Tea, Birch Beer

"An invigorating tea can be made from steeping half a dozen young birch leaves in a pint of boiled water. This is especially beneficial to people suffering from arthritic and rheumatic conditions. Be careful though, as it will cause frequent urination. A beneficial side effect of this is that it breaks down kidney and bladder stones. It is a powerful antiseptic which can clear up infections in these regions. It is also a good antiseptic mouthwash for those suffering from mouth conditions. An inhalation made from hot water and a handful of birch leaves is very good for clearing a blocked nose."

-- From Celtic Tree Mysteries, by Steve Blamires

Edit - tea can also be made by infusing the bark, or a combination of leaves and bark. It shouldn't boil, however, as that will get rid of the volatile oils and a wintergreen-like flavor.

Minor warning: Birch contains salicylates (aspirin component), so if you are sensitive to aspirin, don't ingest it (take a bath in it instead!) In any case, don't ingest vast quantities of any herb.

Birch Beer Recipe:

"5 gallons black birch sap
A 4 or 5 inch piece of ginger root
1 gallon honey
1/2 lemon sliced
1 oz yeast, softened on a piece of toast
2 tablespoons cloves.

Bring the sap to a boil and add the honey. Boil for fifteen minutes and cool. Pour into a crock or large glass bottle (the kind found in water coolers works very well. When the mixture is barely warm, float the yeaast topped toast on it and add the ginger, lemon, and cloves. Cover with a cloth and allow to "work" for ten days. Strain and pour into bottles. Let the bottles stand unstoppered for two days, then cap tightly. It will be ready for use in two months."

--From Tree Medicine, Tree Magic by Ellen Hopman

Various pieces of birch lore

Beth/Beith
Letter B
Chieftain
Tree of faerie and/or tree of the goddess (depends on what book you read)
Tarot - Star
Connected to fungi, many types of fungi grow on the bark, including fly agaric
Young shoots used for tonic/laxative
Leaves used to treat gout, rheumatism, kidney stones (diuretic. Infusion of leaves used to treat dropsy (fluid under skin).
Scandinavia - switches used in the sauna to stimulate purification
Represents the first moon - the moon of inception, new beginnings.
Deciding which spiritual seeds to plant in the year
Contains methyl Salicylate (aspirin)
Word derived from "Bright", "Shining"
Some relationship to Taliesin, & with "I am the Stag with Seven Tines" from The Song of Amergin. Not clear on this.
Relationship with number 7.
National tree of Estonia
Protection against malign intent, exorcism, purification.

On Magical properties of Birch...

I finally finished the first and second sanding of a birch staff I started about 2 years ago (or maybe more - the time sense isn't that great).

The esoteric quality that seemed to speak to me most was protection. The tree that the staff was made from (before it died), was quite magical - it had a slender trunk and branches that fanned out in typical birch style. It's silver bark and beautiful leaves gave it a faerie-like presence - it was one of my most beautiful trees, and it stood guard just outside the fence, slightly to the left of the front door. Probably took a lot of hits, as one day I found it dead.

I was totally in shock and livid with rage. I thought someone had just deliberately come and cut it down (it had been snapped at the roots and it was lying on the sidewalk). Upon closer examination, however, I saw that it had been dead for months. Although it was not winter, there were no leaves on it, and it was dry and brittle.

Then I was even more disturbed, as I hadn't even noticed it had died until I found it on the sidewalk. Grief-stricken, I picked it up and took it inside, and decided that every part of it would be used for something magical, and thus began the creation of the staff. I cut off all the twigs and branches, cut them into about 6-inch pieces, and made a bundle, which I gave to a friend who was also connected to that tree. I ground up the bark and made a tea (not for drinking, since it was mixed with sandpaper grit) for use as a floor wash. The trunk now stands by my fireplace as a hearth protection. I still have to give it its final sandings to give it a satiny finish.