Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Birch (Betula spp.) has a long history of use in traditional medicine for supporting the treatment of fever. Folk remedies, especially in Europe and parts of Asia, have employed birch leaves, bark, and sap for their diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and fever-reducing (antipyretic) properties. The belief in birch's efficacy for fever is largely attributed to its salicylate content—a compound related to aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which is well-known for its antipyretic action.

Despite these traditional uses, scientific studies directly evaluating birch’s effectiveness for lowering fever in humans are limited. Most available evidence comes from in vitro or animal studies highlighting anti-inflammatory effects, but not specifically antipyretic activity. There is some pharmacological rationale, given the salicylate content, but concentrations in traditional preparations may be variable and often lower than those used in clinical settings for fever reduction. Reviews of herbal medicine often list birch among remedies for mild fevers, but generally acknowledge the lack of robust clinical trials.

In summary, birch's use for fever is primarily rooted in traditional practices, supported by some plausible mechanisms and indirect evidence, but not by strong modern clinical data. Its evidence rating is therefore moderate, reflecting widespread historical use but limited scientific validation.

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Other ingredients used for Fever

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