2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29
Birch / Betula / is a genus that includes deciduous trees. Their leaves have stipules that fall off early. The leaf arrangement is spiral. Of the genus Birch (a total of about 60 species) in Bulgaria is distributed only 1 species of birch.
The white birch / Betula pendula /, which is found in our country, is a deciduous deciduous tree with a well-developed root system. Characteristic of the root system of white birch is that the lateral roots are more developed, which originate almost from the base of the plant.
In contrast, the main root is relatively small and short. The soils on which white birch grows best are gray forest and brown forest soils. The stem of the white birch is relatively thin and is covered with a white crust that periodically falls into thin scales. The white color characteristic of the bark is due to the content of the substance betulin in its composition. This is the only white dye that exists in nature.
At a height of white birch reaches about 30 meters. The shape of the leaf blade is also characteristic. It is close to that of a deltoid. The edge of the leaves is slightly serrated. The leaves are connected by long leaf stalks to the branches of the tree.
The male inflorescences of white birch represent long hanging fringes. Each fringe is made up of a large number of small flowers. Each birch flower is composed of a four-part perianth and 2 to 3 stamens. The female flowers are also gathered in fringes, but unlike the male fringes, the female ones are ovoid or spherical in shape. Each female flower has a pistil with a two-part lollipop. Flowering of white birch lasts about a month and a half. The optimal age of white birch is about 150 years.
Composition of birch
The leaves of birch contain about 0.05% essential oil, saponins, tannins up to 10%, vitamin C, nicotinic acid and flavonoid compounds hyperoside, apigenin, kaempferol and others. The leaf buds contain up to 8% essential oil with a pleasant odor and resinous substances. The roots contain the triterpene alcohol betulenol, gaulterin, up to 15% tannins, essential oil and others.
Growing birch
Birch is a beautiful and delicate park tree, which is often used for landscaping of yards, gardens in private houses and villas, for landscaping of parks and public buildings and for various arrangements in modern landscape and garden design.
Birch is suitable for planting in single and mixed groups with coniferous species, as well as singly in the lawn and as an alley tree along the paths. Birch prefers a more humid climate, mainly in mountain belts.
It is a very light-loving and moisture-loving tree. It also grows on extremely infertile soils, as long as there is enough moisture. In addition, birch turns out to be an extremely cold-resistant plant.
Collection and storage of birch
The birch and some parts of it, such as buds, various types of leaves (young and mature leaves) and bark, are used for medicinal purposes. The buds of this plant are collected in early spring, in the months of April-May, before they burst.
The buds are cut together with the twigs and left to dry in a ventilated place, this can be done in special dryers, where the drying temperature should be up to 30 degrees. After drying, the buds fall off the twigs, they have a pleasant odor, but have a bitter and astringent taste.
They are stored in paper packaging so that they can remain dry. The leaves of the birch are collected when the full leafing of the plant occurs, and this happens in the months of April - June. The procedure for drying them does not differ from that of the buds.
The already dried leaves on top have a dark color, and on the underside are light green, odorless and have a slightly bitter taste. Birch bark is harvested again in the spring, after the development of the plant has begun, the drying is the same, and if done in a dryer, the temperature can reach 45 degrees. All dried parts of the plant should be stored in a dry and ventilated place. This is an exported herb.
Benefits of birch
The birch has a diuretic, diuretic and tonic effect. There is evidence that the leaves have antiviral and mild anti-cancer effects. Hot tea from birch leaves causes heavy sweating and is recommended for colds. Extracts with alcohol when applied externally promote rapid wound healing.
Birch buds have a beneficial effect on skin eczema. Decoction of birch leaves and buds works well in inflammation of the gastric mucosa, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer and others. In sand in the kidneys, urinary and gallbladder, gout, edema, rheumatism, atherosclerosis, peptic ulcer disease birch is a suitable remedy.
Acne and eczema respond very well to birch because it cleanses the pores and reduces inflammation thanks to methyl silicate and flavonoids / antioxidants /. For problem skin, you can safely rely on birch sap, infusion of birch leaves and bark.
The birch prevents muscle fever. Aromatic birch oil is rich in methyl silica. It is used externally to warm the muscles after physical exertion and thus eliminates the pain characteristic of muscle fever. In aromatherapy is used not white but yellow birch, whose oil is applied in the form of balm or mixed with jojoba oil.
Our folk medicine recommends fresh juice from the plant as a tonic for anemia, for the treatment of boils, difficult to heal wounds and more. Birch tar is used in the treatment of a number of skin diseases.
In addition, birch stimulates the liver. In chemotherapy, birch buds are used because of the glycerin macerate they contain, which improves the activity of the immune system and has a cleansing effect on the liver. This substance has been shown to help flush out toxins.
Birch sap
In the spring there is a leakage of birch sap. The juice extracted from the tree is famous for its valuable healing properties. It is also rich in important sugars, organic acids, enzymes and salts of some elements (calcium, magnesium and iron). Scientists recommend it in the treatment of beriberi, diseases of the blood, joints, skin, angina, bronchitis and pneumonia.
Birch syrup is made from extracts of birch sap (marrow). When finished, it contains 67% sugar. It is difficult to do because 80 to 110 liters of marrow are needed to produce 1 liter of birch syrup. The syrup has a very specific taste - thick, like caramel, with a slightly spicy taste. Made in Alaska, Canada and Russia. Birch sap is also used to make wine and beer.
Folk medicine with birch
Hot infusion of birch leaves causes sweating and is recommended for colds. The warming drink is used for kidney, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular diseases, rheumatism, skin diseases, edema and others. The leaves and buds of birch are part of many diuretic teas.
Infusion of 4 teaspoons of dry crushed leaves and 1/2 liter of boiling water is taken within 1 day. A decoction can also be prepared.
In Bulgarian folk medicine tincture and decoction of birch buds are used for gastritis, ulcers, rheumatism, gout and others.
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