What is it used for?
Used in Herbal Medicine as a diuretic [Source note 2].
What this guide covers
The solidus (/) indicates that the terms and/or statements are synonymous. Either term or statement may be selected by the applicant on the label.
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Dry, Powdered, Non-Standardized Extracts (Dry extract*, Tincture, Fluid extract, Decoction, Decoction concentrate, Infusion, Infusion concentrate)
0.6 -9 grams of dried leaf, per day (Bradley 2006, ESCOP 2003, Hoffmann 2003, Blumenthal et al. 1998).
*Note: Solvents allowed for the method of preparation “Non-standardized extracts (Dry extract)” as part of this reference are ethanol and/or water only.
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Diuretic
For occasional use only [Source note 3]
Warnings and precautions
Ask a healthcare professional if symptoms persist or worsen.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have kidney or cardiovascular disorders [Source note 4].
When should it be avoided?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
Possible side effects
Stop use if hypersensitivity/allergy occurs [Source note 5].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations .
Conditions for combined preparations
The active ingredients included in this reference may be combined together as long as the combined dose is within the dose limits indicated above.
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Proper name(s), Common name(s), Source material(s)
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information(s) / Source material(s) | Source information(s) / Part(s) | Source information(s) / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Betula pendula |
| Betula pendula | Leaf | Dry |
| Betula pubescens |
| Betula pubescens | Leaf | Dry |
References: Proper names: USDA 2023; Common names: USDA 2023, Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Source information: Bradley 2006, ESCOP 2003.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- August 28, 2024
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
Taking a medication too?
Explore our supplement–medication interaction checker. Its coverage and review status are shown with the results; a missing finding does not establish that a combination is safe.