Birch Bark / Silver Birch

Birch bark is one of Europe's most important anti-cancer discoveries of recent decades. Betulinic acid — isolated from the white bark of Betula pendula — induces apoptosis specifically in melanoma, glioblastoma, neuroblastoma, and leukaemia cells with remarkable selectivity for cancerous over normal tissue. It acts through the mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, bypassing the p53 mutations that make many cancers resistant to conventional chemotherapy. Betulin (the precursor compound) is converted to betulinic acid in the body and is present in high concentrations in the outer white bark. Russian and Nordic folk healers have used birch bark preparations for centuries for skin conditions and tumours. Multiple research institutions including the NCI have identified betulinic acid as a lead anti-cancer compound.