The New Directions Aromatics team is extremely saddened to announce the passing of Abraham Thomas, founder of the New Directions group of companies and brother of our CEO Alex Thomas. Abraham's passion and commitment to encourage people to take responsibility for their wellbeing via natural methods will live on as we continue into the future without him...

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Oils » Essential Oils (A-C)

Birch Tar Essential Oil


Average Product Rating: 4.4 / 5 (Based on 10 Customer Reviews)


Main Constituents:
Cadinene: 20-27%

Botanical Name: Betula alba

Plant Part: Bark

Extraction Method: Steam Distillation

Origin: India

Description: The birch tree is native to North America and grows up to 15-20 meters in height. It has slender branches, silver-white bark broken into scales and light green oval leaves.

Color: Dark brown to orange liquid.

Common Uses: Birch Tar Essential Oil is used for external application in the form of ointment (10%) or soap (10%). It can be used in treatments for eczema, psoriasis, and general dry skin. When mixed with other essential oils it is used as an insect repellent.

Consistency: Thick and viscous

Note: Base

Strength of Aroma: Medium

Blends well with: Cananga, Benzoin, Sandalwood and Rosemary.

Aromatic Scent: The scent is reminiscent of tar, charred wood and smoke. Many have compared it to the scent of a campfire.

History: The well-known odor of Russian leather is due to the application of birch tar in the process of dressing. It likewise imparts durability to leather, and it is owing to its presence that books bound in Russia leather, are not liable to become moldy.

Cautions: May cause irritation to sensitive skin. Avoid use during pregnancy.

Terms of Use

Customers should purchase products from New Directions Aromatics Inc. with the clear understanding that all products must be used at the customers own discretion and only after referencing Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) and all other relevant technical information specific to the product. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be held responsible for any damages to property or for any adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm) caused by insufficient knowledge or the improper use of a product.

The user of the product is solely responsible for compliance with all laws and regulations applying to the use of the products, including intellectual property rights of third parties.

As with any manufacturing process, New Directions Aromatics strongly recommends small lab scale testing for evaluation purposes prior to full commercial manufacturing.

The information on the New Directions Aromatics Inc. website is obtained from current and reliable sources but makes no representation as to its comprehensiveness or accuracy. Nothing contained herein should be considered as a recommendation by New Directions Aromatics Inc. as to the fitness for any use. As the ordinary or otherwise use(s) of this product is outside the control of New Directions Aromatics Inc., no representation or warranty, expressed or implied is made as to the effect(s) of such use(s) (including damage or injury), or the results obtained.

The liability of New Directions Aromatics Inc. is limited to the value of the goods and does not include any consequential loss. New Directions Aromatics Inc. shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Please note, the International Federation of Aromatherapists do not recommend that Essential Oils be taken internally unless under the supervision of a Medical Doctor who is also qualified in clinical Aromatherapy. In addition, Essential Oils must be properly diluted before use in order to avoid any damages to property or adverse physical effects (including injury or bodily harm).

IMPORTANT: All of our products are for external use only.

In addition, please read & understand appropriate technical, material safety data sheets and disclaimers before using this or any other New Directions Aromatics product.

Read the Disclaimer

Birch Tar Essential Oil
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Submited By: Peter from Ottawa, Ontario on 10/07/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

top quality as always from NDA, smells to me less like a campfire and exactly like smoked sausage.
Submited By: Michele from Montreal, Quebec on 08/09/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Perfect for a smoky or leathery note in a perfume. I will try it for eczema too.
Submited By: Kyle from Buffalo, Minnesota on 08/13/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

To those comparing the smell of birch tar EO to ham or an ashtray, I would add that there is a strong salty smell to go with the smoke so the comparison to cured meats seems appropriate. However, I could also see how someone might sense a staleness or acridness if they were sensitive to that kind of smell. So I suggest using it sparingly in a blend. it only takes a tiny amount of birch tar in an EO blend to give it a strong and masculine base note. I only use it at about 1% of the blend it's in and you can't miss it. I've got some other ideas for blends that I want to try it at slightly higher percentages.
Submited By: Dr. Nina from Silver Spring, Maryland on 06/25/2011
Loyal Customer Since: 2011
Rating:

You have no idea how hard I have been looking for this oil! I was thrilled to find that you carry it, and that it is such a superb quality! I was so very fortunate to have a very special country doctor when I was growing up, and he made this incredible salve with birch tar! It healed all kinds of skin ailments like NOTHING I have ever found since. He has long passed away and his family would not sell his formulas (alas, they may be lost forever!) nor would they continue his work. I am now working to recreate this wonderful salve which had birch tar as the key ingredient! This birch tar oil is perfect and an excellent grade! Thank you so much for having the foresight to bring in a special oil that many do not know about! It is MUCH more than a scent!
Submited By: Russ from Hamilton, Ontario on 11/08/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

This stuff is strong but just awesome, I've used it in a unique woody aftershave! It mixes nicely and helps produce a very masculine scent!
Submited By: Henry from Chattanooga, Tennessee on 09/28/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2010
Rating:

Thanks for your birch tar. I can smell the fire the rain put out. Old motor oil. Snuff. New telephone pole. Balm and wintergreen. Your birch tar. It's so fine. So tricky. Easy to overdo. Just a dab will do. Thank you.
Submited By: Jenn from Vancouver, British Columbia on 06/20/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2005
Rating:

Wow! What a remarkable oil! It smells just like a campfire. I think it would be a great addition to a woodsy soap.
Submited By: Rebecca from Madison, Wisconsin on 04/14/2010
Loyal Customer Since: 2007
Rating:

I love Campfire smell, and I thought I'd experiment a bit buying some new oils. I was really disappointed in this one. To me, it smells like a wet ashtray dumped inside an old boot. Not the nice smokey scent I was hoping for. But who knows, perhaps one day I'll find this to be the perfect addition to some wonderful perfume blend. ::shrug:: For now, I'm afraid to open it again.
Submited By: Laura from Avon, Indiana on 06/04/2009
Loyal Customer Since: 2009
Rating:

very smoky and "campfirey"- strangely enough, my mom thought it smelled like ham (!!!!!) after sniffing it straight out of the bottle. i think it has a strong smokiness that comes through... which i guess makes her think of smoked ham!
Customer with more
than 50 reviews
Submited By: Joely from Topeka, Kansas on 12/01/2006
Loyal Customer Since: 2006
Rating:

Used in all my products for skin disorders! Very healing and soothing!