Birch Oil - Makling and Uses

[ex-member BareThrills]

Hello matey peeps

Didnt know whether this should come under DIY or Lovely Grub so thought id ignore both and stick it in here.

Ive seen a few videos on the tube for making birch oil. I was wondering if any here have attempted this alchemy. As i understand it its essentially a small pot buried 2/3 in sand or dirt with a large pot on top that contains the birch bark. The larger pot has a small hole in the bottom. The larger pot is then put on the small pot and buried a bit more. Build a nice fire on top for a few hours and the birch oil leeches out into the lower pot resulting in black gold.

The above seems pretty straight forward but i was wondering how safe the resulting oil is for skin use and whether it has other uses. Was thinking birch tar soap or similar or maybe a tincture mixed with high proof spirit.

Mrs Thrills has ye olde eczema on her little hands but is wary of using steroid creams as she doesnt want 'old lady hands'.

Any advice greatfully received ta

 

[stuart f]

Hi BareThrills, heres a link to birch oils which may shed some light for you. http://www.essentialoils.co.za/essential-oils/birch.htm

The method you discribe above is dry distillation in which you will get Birch Tar from Birch bark, which was used as an antiseptic,when mixed with fat, during the 2nd world war. Check out uncle Rays Belarus episode,in one of his shows.

As for the clear birch oil it is Steam distillation from the leaves and twigs.

I hope this is of help.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[stuart f]

Hi, i forgot to add that the tar itself can be used as a wood preserver, boiled down it can be used as a glue, and that Russian leather is treated with Birch oil.

I make and use the tar myself.

Cheers Stuart.

 

[Skaukraft]

I've made birch tar once. As you said, pretty straight forward.

 

[ex-member BareThrills]

Thanks for the info chaps

 

[Man of Tanith]

done it
as others say pretty easy
for the eczema try badger hard working hands balm (no connection) it has birch oil and few other good bits in it might work

 

[ratcatcher]

has she tried pure honey on her hands

 

[ggfh666]

Read a report from someone with eczema who used birch sap.
Successfully.

 

[Johnnyboy1971]

We were recomended pure honey for one of the boys who suffers from eczema.