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| Latin Names |
English Names |
Sanskrit Name |
Betula utilis
D. Don /
B. bhojpattra Wall. |
Himalayan
Silver Birch,
Indian Paper Birch |
Bhurjapatra |
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| History |
 The
earliest classical Sanskrit writers attest the use of 'Birch'
bark for literary purposes. Owing to its papery nature, the
bark (peel), was used in ancient times as a writing material
in place of paper. It was valued for covering umbrellas, hookah-pipes,
for packing, roofing, occasionally as textile and in the manufacture
of Russian leather. 'Kalidasa' mentions it in his dramas and
ethics. The use of this bark was discontinued by Akbar, the
Moghul Emperor, who introduced the manufacture of paper.
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| Habitat |
It grows throughout the main Himalayan
range from Bhutan westwards, ascending to an altitude of 4,200
m. Birch forests occur on open exposed tracts which are under
snow throughout the greater part of winter.
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| Morphology
Description (Habit) |
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It is a moderate-sized
tree that grows up to 20m in height. It sometimes occurs as a mere
shrub,forming the upper limit of forest vegetation. The bark is smooth,
shining, reddish white or white, with white horizontal lenticels.
The outer bark consists of numerous thin papery layers, exfoliating
in broad horizontal rolls. The inner cortex is red and moist. The
leaves are ovate-acuminate, elliptic, and irregularly serrate. The
flowers bloom in May-June, in pendulous spikes. Seeds are thin and
winged.
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| Principal
Constituents |
The bark contains
betulin1. Betulic acid is also identified from the bark2.
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| Indications |
Infusion of the bark is antiseptic,
carminative. Betulin, extracted from the bark, has been used for esterfication.
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| Product
Range |
Protein Shampoo
with Conditioner.
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| References |
- Indian J Chem., 1968, Vol.6, p. 37.
- Phytochemistry, 1973, Vol. 12, pp. 214.
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