“Backyard Medicine,” by Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal, is a book full of natural healing solutions for everyday ailments. Birch has a multitude of historical uses but is less familiar for its ...

Imagine that the treatment for some cancers was growing in our forests. Or powerful drugs for herpes, HIV or liver disease. How about a natural source of biodegradable plastic, skin conditioner or ...

Neanderthals may have used birch tar for more than tools. New research shows it could slow bacteria and help protect wounds.

Neanderthals likely used the sticky substance to build and repair tools, but it also may have had another important use. With ...

Neanderthals may have used birch tar as more than just glue; it could have helped them ward off infection and even insect ...

Neanderthals, our ancient human relatives, may have been more skilled in health care than we once thought. A new study ...