Evidence supporting the use of: Birch (unspecified)
For the health condition: Insect Repellant

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Birch (Betula spp.) has a history of traditional use as an insect repellent, particularly in Northern and Eastern Europe. Indigenous peoples and rural communities have sometimes used birch tar—an oil obtained from destructive distillation of birch bark—as a topical agent to deter insects such as mosquitoes and ticks. The strong, smoky odor of birch tar is thought to mask human scent and repel pests. However, the direct evidence supporting its efficacy is limited primarily to anecdotal and ethnobotanical reports. There are few, if any, robust clinical or laboratory studies that rigorously evaluate birch or birch-derived products as insect repellents in a modern scientific context. The active compounds responsible for any repellent activity are not well characterized, and birch is not a common ingredient in contemporary commercial repellents. Thus, while the traditional use is documented, the overall evidence base supporting birch for insect repellent purposes is weak, meriting a low evidence rating.

More about Birch (unspecified)
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Products containing Birch (unspecified)

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