Chapter 28 - Himalayan Birch

Abstract

Himalayan birch (Betula utilis) is a perennial tree that belongs to Betulaceae family. It is native to Himalaya and now can be found in China, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, India, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. In the past, it was used for writing purposes. It has cosmetic application due to antidandruff property. It can grow in acid, neutral, and basic soils. Himalayan birch is a versatile medicinal plant as a unique source of phytochemical compounds. Himalayan birch has many pharmacological and phytochemical properties. Leaves, bark, and stem are used for treating various diseases. The major phytochemical constituent of Betula utilis is betulinic acid, which shows many biologic activities. Now, it has been proven that it has tremendous anticancer properties. This plant can play a significant role in treatment of cancer as well as various other diseases due to its various pharmacological activities like antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-HIV activities, and there is a need for further studies on this plant to reveal other characteristic features hidden in it. Due to many benefits of Himalayan birch, it is considered a miracle of nature. A lot of research has been conducted on various parts of Himalayan birch, but its role as a drug is not clear yet.