Herb Bhojputra

Bhoj Patra Tree is a tree widely found in the Himalayas, well-known for the use of its bark as written in ancient India textbooks. The tree is distinguished by its white to brownish bark. It is a middle sized tree, with very distinctive bark which peels off in very thin, almost transparent strips. Male flowers are born in catkins which hang in bunches at the end of bare branches, or with young leaves. Female flowers arise in solitary spikes. Leaves are 5-8 cm long, ovate, fine pointed, irregularly saw-toothed, finely hairy when young. Flowering: April-May.

The tree of Bhoj patra generally attains the height of sixty five feet.

Classification

Vernacular Names

• Botanical: Betula utilis
• Common: Bhoj Patra Tree, Himalayan Silver Birch
• Hindi:  Bhoj Patra
• Tamil: Bhurjjamaram, Purchcham
• Malayalam: Bhujapatram, Bhurjjamaram
• Telugu: Bhujapatvama
• Kannada: Bhurja Mara
• Sanskrit: Bahulavalkalah, Bahupata, Bhurjapatraka

Ayurvedic Properties

Effects on Doshas

It pacifies all the three dosha, if these are in imbalanced state.

Medicinal Uses of Bhoj patra

Its bark is used as medicine in the form of powder or decoction.

In Charak Samhita, use of Bhoj patra is indicated as local application in skin diseases and its preparation in ear diseases. When there is pus in the ear, oozing out of the ear and deafness oil prepared from bhoj patra with some other herbs like Vidanga, Nagarmotha etc. is indicated to be used in it.

Bhoj patra is useful in epilepsy, insanity, hysteria and convulsions.

This herb also lowers the effects of poisons and also checks obesity.

Bhoj patra checks bleeding from nose and is useful in diarrhea and dysentery.

The herb is endowed with the properties of healing wounds. Its decoction is used to wash the wounds. In earache and oozing of ear its decoction is used to cleanse the ear. When there is difficulty in expulsion of placenta, fumes of bhoj patra helps in it.

Practical Uses of Bhoj Patra

Melanoma

According to recent clinical studies carried out in the US, the bark of the Himalaya Silver Birch which contains Betulinic acid is extremely effective in treating Melanoma which is a kind of skin cancer.

Kidney

The bark of the tree is also useful for treating kidney and bladder disorders.

Anti-Inflammatory

The Himalayan Silver Birch contains anti-inflammatory properties which reduces the pain and inflammation caused due to rheumatism and gout.

The bark containing botulin is known to have anti-fertility activity.

External Application

The papery layer of Birch bark is considered to be highly astringent agent. By virtue of such quality its external use is recommended as styptic (to stop bleeding) and to stop any purulent discharge. Hence it is used more often to clean the wounds.

Obesity

Ayurveda also uses Birch in many formulations for obesity and other disorders of lipid metabolism. It has been described to be effective herb for treatment of obesity.

Uses of Bhoj Patra in Divine way

Bark of bhoj patra is used as a covering, protecting from the evil effects of devils etc. Sages have been using its bark as a part of their lower garment. People going to Badrinath, Kedarnath, and Gangotri tie its bark under their foot thus making their journey comfortable. Bhoj patra has been considered all auspicious due to its occurrence in that divine region. Its presence is auspicious as no evil soul dare to play havoc where there is presence of bhoj patra bark.

Parts Used

Leaves, roots

Dosage

• Decoction – 5 to 10 ml
• Bark Powder – 3 to 6 gm