Perhaps, if not all, then very many health problems can be resolved with the help of Mother Nature. After all, there is a huge number of plants that can help a person to improve their well-being. This includes a charming tree called birch. It is noteworthy that in traditional medicine they use almost all its parts: the buds, the sap, the leaves, the branches, and even the bark of this tree, which will be discussed today.
Description: what is the name of birch bark
The birch bark or, as they say, the bark of this tree, the bark, is used by people for a very long time. And if initially it was used as an improvised material, which replaced the paper, and served for the manufacture of various household items, now the scope of its use is much wider. With the help of this material various diseases are treated and used as a prophylactic against ailments. 
Chemical composition
Birch bark contains many nutrients, which accounts for its popularity among traditional healers. It contains such mineral substances as:
- zinc;
- iron;
- boron;
- manganese;
- aluminum;
- potassium;
- copper;
- calcium;
- strontium;
- vanadium;
- magnesium;
- chromium;
- selenium;
- cobalt;
- barium.
It also contains flavonoids, tar, tannins, nicotinic and ascorbic acid, coumarins, wax, tar, essential oils, palmitic acid and triterpenoid betulin (white organic pigment).
Reviews from the network about the use of birch tar
My mother-in-law told me about birch tar. She loves his smell, smells of tar at the first sign of a cold, even inserts turundum with tar into the nose at the head cold and washes only with tar soap. Being their guest, the mother-in-law offered to try to smell the contents of the bottle. I did not like the smell, very sharp, having breathed in once, it remains for a long time in the nose. I did not want to smell more. But then I read on the Internet that tar has an antiseptic, disinfecting effect and as soon as people do not use it. Basically, tar helps with skin problems. Color of tar - black. It is made of birch bark. I still bought a bottle of tar in the pharmacy, it is not expensive. And now, when a child falls ill, so as not to get infected herself, I smell tar once a day. The husband and child refuse to smell the tar. In addition, the child is allergic to birch pollen and therefore, everything connected with this tree is not recommended for her.Marie deka
//otzovik.com/review_881634.html
I bought this remedy in the pharmacy for use externally from skin diseases. And he is also taken inside! I honestly did not know. After reading the reviews was surprised about the healing properties. But the smell is really deadly, especially indoors. Therefore, the treatment has been postponed, I am waiting for the summer to continue. Indoors it is better not to use, I became terribly ill for an adult, even vomiting appeared, and if there are children, it is better to postpone it until summer. And the treatment is replaced.In general, birch tar is wide to use, it turns out! It can be used for all skin diseases, for scabies, for pediculosis, for hair loss, for dandruff, and for many other diseases. Tar is the strongest antiseptic, antiparasitic and antimicrobial agent.
gulia1
//otzovik.com/review_953187.html
Medicinal properties
With the help of birch bark can be cured:
- Gout.
- Lung diseases.
- Skin diseases and inflammations.
- Fungus on the skin.
- Dropsy.
- Malaria
- normalizes the digestive tract;
- speeds up metabolism;
- promotes rapid healing of wounds;
- strengthens the immune system;
- improves the appetite.
Like the birch bark, the work of the gastrointestinal tract is normalized: bathing, calendula, sage (salvia), meadow, linden, chervil, lyubka bilustus, watercress, yucca, dodder, viburnum buldenezh, goldenrod, onion-slizun, peanut, oregano ( oregano) and kale cabbage.
Medical applications
Birch bark is used both in folk and in traditional medicine. It is part of many drugs and herbal. This is because it:
- helps with inflammatory processes;
- removes heat;
- stabilizes metabolism;
- promotes weight loss and weight gain;
- very quickly copes with wounds and purulent formations on the skin, helps in the treatment of melanoma (skin cancer).
Apart from birch bark, inflammatory processes also recommend red root (Hedysarum forgot), yarrow, lungwort, ginkgo biloba, kalanchoe, calamus marsh irgu, ivy, kirkazon (aristolohiya), sage (Salvia) pratense, propolis and broccoli.
Use in cosmetology
Has found birch bark and its use in recipes of beauty and youth. With its help, you can eliminate such a problem as acne. Regular washing with a decoction of this raw material promotes quick healing, as well as improvement of the skin condition and normalization of the sebaceous glands.
A decoction of birch bark rinses the hair after washing, this procedure gives shine shine and promotes rapid growth and prevents hair loss.
In cosmetology, they also use momordica, purslane, marigolds, nasturtium, leek, bird cherry, rosemary, cornflower, broccoli, garden savory, soapworm (saponaria), honey and lime.
Role in everyday life
For a long time this material has been used for the manufacture of things that people use in everyday life, in the old days they were bast shoes, baskets, toys for babies. Now, birch bark also produces quite a few products that we use in everyday life, including hairpins, combs, scallops, baskets, decorative ornaments, cups and much more. 
In addition to the healing properties, this material is highly durable and keeps heat well, which makes it attractive for making various types of dishes.
Important! Birch firewood is one of the best for fireplaces, because they do not give sparks when burning (if dry).
Side effects and contraindications
Birch bark should not be taken in such cases:
- individual intolerance of the product;
- kidney problems;
- during pregnancy and lactation;
- during therapy with penicillin-based drugs;
- in combination with drugs containing glucose;
- with dysentery and colitis.
When used correctly, the bark does not cause adverse reactions. But if you use this product irrationally, there may be some problems. Therefore, it is always worth remembering that this tool is auxiliary, and self-medication can cause negative consequences.
How to remove the bark from the tree
It is not difficult to get such raw materials, for this you only need to choose a healthy, beautiful birch and have a sharp knife with you. Using a knife, you need to make a vertical incision on the trunk to a depth of 1-2 mm and separate the bark. If the correct time is chosen, the bark itself will literally be separated from the tree.
Important! This should be done during the sap flow - mid-May-mid-July.
The resulting raw material is dried in fresh air for 7-10 days, and then folded into fabric bags and plastic containers and stored in a cool dry place. The shelf life of dry raw materials is 3 years from the date of procurement.
Video: how to remove the bark from the birch
Did you know? Among the ancient Germanic peoples, birch was a symbol of Nerta - the goddess of fertility, Mother Earth.
Preparation of healing potions
And now we come to the most important thing - the process of preparation of medicinal preparations. Recipes are simple, and birch bark for preparation can be purchased at the pharmacy, if you do not have time or the opportunity to get it yourself. 
Did you know? One type of birch - Schmidt's birch - is also called iron birch, because the strength of its wood is equal to the strength of this metal, and besides, wood has a high resistance to fire.
Decoction
For cooking will need:
- 60 g of birch bark;
- 1 liter of boiling water.
This broth will help to cope with coughing and facilitate the discharge of sputum. It should be taken to alleviate the condition. Also, this decoction can be applied externally and cure the fungus on the feet, skin diseases and scabies. To do this, wipe the affected area with a cotton swab or soft cloth moistened with medication, 2 times a day.
For the treatment of cough also used such plants: anise, ivy, vervain medicinal, nyvyanik, wormwood, rutabaga, horseradish, saxifrage, cantaloupe and cherry plum.
You can make tea from birch bark, which perfectly tones up and is a general tonic. Raw materials need to pour boiling water and let it brew for 7-10 minutes.
Tincture
Ingredients Required:
- 200 g of birch bark;
- 200 ml of alcohol or vodka.
In addition to birch bark, in dermatology they also use: medicinal comfrey (zhivokost), horsetail (sausage), anise lofant, asparagus, verbena medicinal, mordovnik, parsnip, peony, melon, acacia honey and feijoa.
Ointment
For cooking will need:
- 1 tbsp. l birch bark;
- 50 ml of lemon juice.
Now you know what birch bark is good for the body. It will help to establish the work of the gastrointestinal tract, strengthen the body and heal wounds. But do not forget to consult with a specialist before taking birch bark.
