Wood vinegar has been known since the ancient Egyptians used it in embalming corpses. Wood vinegar is extracted by dry distillation of wood pulp, mostly hardwoods, of which birch yields 9.4% acetic acid. The decomposition of wood starts from 150°C to 200°C, with the release of gaseous products that make up luminous gas (hydrogen, swamp gas, ethylene, propylene, butylene), then up to 260°C and slightly higher up to 280°C liquid products that make up wood vinegar, which has a complex composition (the most important parts are: methyl alcohol, acetylene and acetic acid), then from 280°C to 430°C the tar-like products that form wood tar together with resin are ignited and finally, above 430°C the wood is charred. Thus, the dry distillation of birch is accompanied by the production of many products released by gradual heating, and each product is released at a particular temperature.
Raw unprocessed birch vinegar, called in pharmacopoeia acetym pyrolignosum crudum, S. acidum pyrolignosum, is a dark brown liquid with a tarry and at the same time vinegary odor, sour and bitter taste, from which, over time, tar-like substances are released that adhere to the walls and bottom of glassware.
Plain wood vinegar serves as an anti-decay and cauterizing agent. Due to the presence of phenols (creosote) and wood alcohol, it inhibits the development of putrefactive microbes, so it is used for disinfectant fumigation, dressing and washing stinking, rotting wounds, bedsores, frostbitten members, etc. п. Due to its property of slightly cauterizing the mucous membranes, it is used with 2-5 parts of water in case of abundant purulent whites for vaginal lavage.
In addition to simple wood vinegar, the pharmacopoeia also lists purified wood vinegar, acetum pyrolignosum rectificatum, obtained by distillation of simple vinegar. This vinegar is a clear, colorless or yellowish liquid, also with a vinegar and tar odor of sour and bitter taste. With the passage of time from the action of light and air, it turns brown from the release of tar compounds and is then added for distillation into a new batch of simple vinegar. The yellowed solution is acceptable for use. Purified vinegar is less poisonous than simple wood vinegar, and weaker disinfectant, but it is used in mouth and throat rinses, as well as taken internally for vomiting and digestive disorders.
Birch tar has a strong antimicrobial, anti-parasitic, antiseptic action. This is the kind of tar that can spoil a barrel of honey. But, despite the very unpleasant smell and taste, it is extremely widely used by modern medicine to treat various skin diseases: scabies, eczema, scaly fever, psoriasis, various ulcers and rashes in the form of pure tar, 10-30 percent. ointments, liniments, tar soap, etc. д. The tar is part of Wilkinson's ointment used to treat scabies and fungal skin diseases. Finally, birch tar is used to produce essential birch oil.
Folk medicine uses the miraculous properties of Vishnevsky ointment to treat chronic sore throat accompanied by chronic inflammation of the middle ear. For this purpose it is recommended to put at night in the ear, or in both ears, as you feel, ointment Vishnevsky. In damp, windy weather, it is useful to do this treatment for every night. In severe cases, it is recommended to do this procedure every night, making then a break of 2-3 days or a week. This way of treating chronic sore throat is also suitable for treating flu and other colds. The treatment method is harmless and especially useful for colds in children. Additionally, you can use alcohol tincture of birch buds and rub it on the heels, back, chest, warmly wrap the rubbed places. After 1-2 days, the cough goes away.
Vishnevsky's ointment. Ingredients: tar - 3 parts, xeroform - 3 parts, castor oil - 94 parts. Used in the treatment of wounds, long non-healing wounds, trophic ulcers of various etiologies, bedsores.
Wilkinson's ointment. Ingredients: calcium carbonate-10 parts, purified sulfur - 15 parts, liquid tar - 15 parts, naphthalan ointment - 30 parts, green soap - 30 parts, water - 4 parts. It is used in the treatment of variegated lichen planus to loosen the stratum corneum of the epidermis, in which the pathogen is concentrated. To prevent a relapse of the disease, you should carefully treat all areas of the lesion with ointment.
Wilkinson's ointment is also used in the treatment of inguinal epidermophytosis - mycosis of large folds, in epidermophytosis of feet, nails. In these cases it is also useful to apply 5- to 10-percent. sulfur and tar ointments.
Often tar is included in the composition of so-called varnishes - kol-lodiya solutions of tar 2-5-percent. Concentrations. The use of collodion in mycological therapeutic practice is considered more convenient than the use of tar in its pure form.
To get rid of zavshivlennosti head hair, it is necessary to wash the head thoroughly with tar soap, then under a hat or kerchief to put around the head braid from a pony tail. After that, wash your head well again with tar soap, dry it. Lubricate the hair with butter and comb out the remaining eggs (nits) with a fine-toothed comb. Wash your scalp again with tar soap..
