Birch - a tree that can be found quite often. It grows in parks, in summer cottages and gardens. In addition to its beautiful appearance, it has healing properties. In our article we will describe how birch leaves are used in traditional medicine.
Chemical composition
Birch leaves - a storehouse of useful substances for the human body. Consider their composition.
- Butyl alcohol. Due to its special composition, it is able to have a positive effect on the organs.
- Phytoncides Essential for inhibiting harmful bacteria and viruses.
- Essential oil. It has anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial action, soothes well.
- Tannins. Able to stop bleeding and diarrhea, relieve inflammatory processes and speed healing.
- Bitterness Contribute to the normalization of the digestive tract, improve appetite.
- Flavonoids. They have antispasmodic, cardiotonic and bactericidal action.
- Saponins. Substances with expectorant and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Vitamin C. Strengthens blood vessels and eliminates bleeding.
- A nicotinic acid. It has a positive effect on the functioning of the central nervous system.
Medicinal properties
Birch leaves and her buds have unique healing properties, but do not forget about the contraindications that we will discuss a little later.
Did you know? The height of the smallest birch - dwarf variety, does not exceed 1.5 meters.
It is worth noting the particular benefits of birch sap, which must be collected in early spring - it helps to strengthen the immune system. It is recommended to drink daily 1-2 cups three times a day for 1-2 months. Birch buds are rich in essential oils, contain flavonoids, resins, phytoncides. 
Used as diaphoretic, diuretic, choleretic, expectorant, antiseptic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antifungal agents. The kidneys help to overcome rheumatism, relieve painful sensations in the joints, fight acne and rashes, bedsores. Infusion is often prescribed for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract and spasmodic conditions.
Recipes of traditional medicine
Birch bark and its other parts have medicinal properties and are often used for therapeutic purposes, despite some contraindications. Consider some popular recipes.
- Broth from foliage. 30 g of foliage pour 400 ml of water and boil on low heat for 15 minutes. After that, it is filtered and add of a teaspoon of soda. The decoction is used as a choleretic and diuretic agent, for lotions, as baths for eczema. Consume inward 100 ml three times a day.
Important! When drying any parts of the tree should not be allowed to hit them sunlight.
- Infusion of leaves. You will need 1 tbsp. a spoonful of dried leaves and 1 cup of freshly boiled water. The ingredients are mixed, infused for 20-30 minutes. After that, the infusion is filtered and used as a diuretic and diaphoretic drug.
- Infusion to clean the body. 8-10 g of dried or 10-15 g of fresh leaves should be brewed in 200 ml of water in a thermos. After the infusion lasts 5 hours, it is consumed by 1 tablespoon 4 times a day. It will help get rid of toxins.
Plants that can also be used in traditional medicine: quince, acacia, hellebore, fir, colbystrum, yew, hazel, willow, rose, mountain ash and linden.
Especially popular are birch buds, which have healing properties and have few contraindications.
- Decoction of birch buds. To boil the broth, you need to mix 200 ml of boiling water with 10 g of dry buds. Boil the mixture over low heat and cook for half an hour. After removal from the plate, the broth should be brewed for 10 minutes, and in the next stage it is filtered. Use 3-4 tablespoons daily. It is good as a diuretic and expectorant, can be used as a disinfection.
Important! Birch treatment is not compatible with the use of penicillin and intravenous glucose-based drugs!
- Alcohol tincture. For tincture need 15 g of buds, which are filled with 0.5 liters of vodka or alcohol. The solution is infused in a darkened place for about a month. It is recommended to shake the container every day. A month later, it is worth performing filtering, after which the tincture is poured into dark glass bottles and left in a cool place.
Tincture is used if the kidneys, bladder work poorly, in the presence of peptic ulcer. To fight worms you should drink 25 drops, dissolving them in water. Solution wipe the skin, used for the treatment of acne and boils.
Recipes home cosmetology
The tree is actively used in cosmetology. We offer to get acquainted with the most popular recipes.
- Birch leaves have healing properties for hair. To strengthen the hair and eliminate their fragility, after you wash your head, it is necessary to rinse them with decoction of foliage. Due to the action of special substances, the hair follicle will strengthen and the hair structure will improve. However, if the prolapse has not stopped, it is necessary to look for the cause deeper - perhaps alopecia is the result of a disease of the internal organs.
- Skin care. If you have dry skin, a leaf mask is perfect. They must be crushed, and 2 tablespoons of gruel mixed with 1 tablespoon of sour cream and 1 teaspoon of honey. After you mix the mixture thoroughly, it can be applied to the skin. Wait 20 minutes and wash off the mask with warm water.
In cosmetology they also use: nasturtium, dogwood, enoteru, radish, periwinkle, peony, bird cherry and parsnip.
- General improvement in skin condition. To improve the condition of the skin will help the ice cubes. To do this, freeze the leaf broth and wipe the skin with ice cubes. As a result, the pores will be cleaned, the blood flow will improve.
Important! Tincture on alcohol can not be used to wipe dry skin.
Collection, preparation and storage of medical raw materials
In the preparation of each part of the plant has its own characteristics.
Birch buds. The best time to collect is January and March, before the period of their dissolution begins. After cutting the branch, it is necessary to bind and dry for 3-4 weeks. They can be decomposed into balconies, on the street - the main thing is to provide airing. After drying, it is necessary to thresh the kidneys, separate them from impurities and dry them again. The finished dried buds smell good, have a brown color, slight shine and bitter taste. You can store them for no more than 2 years. 
Birch juice. The collection takes place in the sap flow, in March - before the leaves start to bloom. Choose trees that are planned to cut down in 2-3 years. The incision is made by 2 cm. When the collection of juice is over, it is necessary to seal the holes with wooden pegs and cover with garden pitch. Store the juice must be in a closed state and a cold room.
Also very useful and tasty juices can be made from apricots, peaches, dogwoods, apples, spinach, carrots, Chinese lemongrass, milkweed and Kalanchoe.
Birch leaves. The collection is best done in May, suitable for drying the attic or carport. The foliage should be thoroughly dried, as if an undated leaf remains, mold can develop. You can keep them up to 2 years. Preparation of bath brooms is better to implement in the third decade of June, when all the foliage is dissolved. 
Beresta. Preparations are carried out from trees that have recently been cut down. With a sharp knife a white layer of bark is incised. Birch bark must be thoroughly dried. 
Healing properties have and birch catkins, but it is very important to know when and how to assemble them. They appear in late May - early June, after the leaves. It is necessary to distinguish male (staminate) catkins from female (pistillate). Men are larger and grow two to four pieces; women - smaller, grow one by one. 
Did you know? The fruits of the tree are small nuts, in 1 gram of which there are about 5000 seeds.
Contraindications and harm
The main contraindication is individual intolerance. In addition, it is not recommended to use tree buds for people suffering from kidney diseases, as the resin can cause organ irritation. It is better to use leaf broths. Apply infusions of kidney is only after talking with the doctor. It is not recommended to use these medicines for too long. 
It is also forbidden to use such remedies for women during pregnancy and lactation.
Birch is not only a very beautiful tree, but also a source of nutrients. With the proper use of decoctions and infusions, you can achieve good results in the prevention and treatment of many diseases.
