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                                     ³Birch³
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    (Betula alba). A tree common to Europe and North America. The bark peels
    off horizontally into thin sheets of varying hues and textures and was
    used by some North American Indians in the making of canoes; it was also
    used as the skin of some World War II planes. Some species are important
    timber trees. The wood is hard and reddish-brown and is made into
    furniture and plywood. Bruise the twigs and it smells like wintergreen.
    Commercial birch oil is marketed as oil of wintergreen and used as a
    counterirritant for sore and stiff muscles and joints. Some mix this oil
    with other aromatic oils and use the combination as an insect repellant
    (Spread over the body). A decoction* of the leaves is used as a
    diuretic*, is said to break kidney stones and is gargled for sore mouths
    and canker sores. The dose is one teaspoon to a cup of boiling water.
    Birch leaf is also important as a gentle sedative*. Drunk at night it
    encourages quiet peaceful sleep with no druglike hangover.