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White birch is distributed in the forest, forest-steppe zone of the European part of the USSR and Siberia. Honeybee. Bees love birch sap and collect it even from birch sawdust. The white birch blooms in May.
Used: buds, which are collected during the period of swelling (March-April); leaves are collected at the beginning of flowering, birch sap - in early spring at the very beginning of sap-movement, bark and wood from freshly felled non-hardy trees.
Chemical composition and medicinal properties of birch
The medicinal properties of white birch are very valuable in phytotherapy. In the buds found essential oil up to 6%, ascorbic acid, saponins, bitterness, tannins, resin, grape sugar. Leaves contain essential oil (up to 0.05%), ascorbic acid (up to 2.8%), carotene, nicotinic acid, glycosides, tannins (5-9%), saponins (3.2%), triterpene alcohols, inositol. The buds and leaves contain saponins, bitters, flavonoids and have phytoncidal properties. Betulol, which gives the bark a white color and protects it from the penetration of various fungi; glycosides, saponins, tannins, essential oils are found in the bark.
The medicinal properties of birch are also found in its sap. Birch sap contains sugars - fructose and glucose, malic acid, protein and an unstudied aromatic substance.
The effects and treatment of birch
Birchwood treatment has been practiced for many centuries. Infusion and decoction of kidneys have diuretic, antiseptic, choleretic properties. Some clinicians have observed a significant increase in urine output under the influence of this decoction and a dramatic reduction in edema even when other cardiac and diuretic remedies did not help. Treatment with birch when prescribing decoction of birch buds should take into account the possibility of irritation of the kidneys with resinous substances, so it is necessary to monitor the doctor, urine tests. Kidney tincture is used in the treatment of acute and chronic forms of eczema, in the treatment of wounds, skin erosions, bedsores, skin irritation with purulent discharge, etc.
The medicinal properties of birch are also found in its leaves. Infusion and decoction of birch leaves are used as a diuretic. Tests in recent years have confirmed that under the influence of infusion of leaves significantly increases urine output (from 400 ml to 2.5 liters), disappear edema, reduces shortness of breath. Infusion of young leaves is used in disorders of the nervous system as a stimulant, in renal colic, jaundice and as an anti-inflammatory and vitamin remedy.
Treatment with birch in Bulgaria leaves are recommended as a diuretic for atherosclerosis, kidney disease and rheumatism in the form of infusion or decoction. Decoction is prepared as follows: 6-8 g of leaves brew 500 ml of boiling water, boil for 15-20 minutes, strain and take during the day. For the same purpose use and infusion of leaves. Stronger diuretic action is considered birch buds (3-4 g per 500 ml). Externally with rheumatism recommended compresses of crumpled fresh leaves, applied to the area of diseased joints, or baths from decoction of leaves.
The therapeutic properties of birch also contain its activated carbon "carbolen". It is used as an adsorbent in poisoning by poisons and bacterial toxins. Well ground into a fine powder birch charcoal is indicated in dysentery, dyspepsia, flatulence and as an antispasmodic agent.
Birch tar, obtained by dry distillation of the bark, has a bactericidal effect and is included in the ointment Vishnevsky, used as a wound-healing agent, and ointment Wilkinson, used to treat scabies, scaly rash.
In France, the birch tree is called the "tree of wisdom". Treatment with birch is done with young leaves, sap, buds, and root. Dr. Leclere recommended the use of birch leaves as a diuretic for bladder inflammation (10-50 g per 1 L of boiling water with 1 g of bicarbonate added). Birch buds are taken in the form of an extract. Infusion of leaves has a stimulating and soothing effect and is recommended for kidney colic and jaundice. The root is as an antirheumatic and anti-fever remedy. Birch tree sap is used as a healthy and refreshing beverage.
The medicinal properties of birch find their application not only in medicine. In Sweden, the second layer of wood is eaten and used to make homebrew.
In the GDR and Austria, young birch leaves were used as a good diuretic and choleretic. In Poland also find use of young leaves with dropsy, as a diuretic and diaphoretic, with inflammation of the kidneys and bladder, neuroses and other diseases, in the form of an infusion of 5 g (tablespoon) of birch leaves to 250 g (glass) of boiling water, stew, strain and take 2 times a day for 100 g.
In domestic folk medicine, infusion and decoction of kidneys was used as a diuretic, diaphoretic, choleretic, anti-inflammatory, wound-healing agent and for many other diseases.
Birch leaves were attributed the same properties as buds, but to a lesser extent. Treatment with birch is also done externally. Baths from birch leaves were recommended for joint rheumatism and gout. In rheumatism also recommended fresh and dry steamed leaves in the form of compresses and lotions, and infusions - for sores, burns, sweaty feet.
The medicinal properties of birch can cure many ailments. Birch juice was used for gout, arthritis, rheumatism, scurvy, edema, anemia after injury, long non-healing wounds and trophic ulcers, furunculosis, sore throat, as a diuretic and tonic. Externally for eczema and as a wash for blackheads and blemishes.
Birch bark was used in the treatment of scrofula, wounds and ulcers: "that the meat rotten from the ulcer is taken out, then crushed birch bark should be poured into the wound rotten" - recorded in an ancient Russian medical book.
Birch tar was used to treat leprosy and scabies. Birch oil was extracted from the buds by distillation and used for gonorrhea.
Birch buds are used in the perfume industry, and the sap is used to make various beverages.
In white birch we use the leaves and buds. Leaves - as a good diuretic, increasing biliary secretion, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic and sedative..
