Silver birch

The bright representative of family birch is the silver birch – the tree growing to 20 m in height. Possesses the smooth pergamentopodobny white bark having dark characteristic lines. Most often the tree grows in a wild look, but can be cultivated as a greening, adornment plant. In the world there are about 120 species of birches, at the same time 65 of them grow in the territory of Russia. All species of birches differ from each other only in some signs, in medicine are applied absolutely equally.

The silver birch is widespread in a forest-steppe and forest zone of Siberia and the European part of Russia. The plant is melliferous, bees especially love birch sap which can be gathered even from birch sawdust. A blooming period – May.

With the different purposes the following parts of a silver birch are used:

• Kidneys which collecting takes place during swelling (i.e. in March-April);
• The leaves gathering in the initial blossom;
• Wood and bark;
• Birch sap which gathers in the early spring.

Kidneys and leaves of a birch are known for the phytoncidal properties. The structure of birch sap is characterized by availability of glucose, fructose, protein and malic acid.

Use and action

Broth (or infusion) kidneys of a silver birch has fine antiseptic, diuretic and cholagogue properties. As a result of researches essential increase in a mocheotdeleniye under the influence of such broth, and also striking reduction of various hypostases even was noted provided that others diuretic or cardiacs were inefficient. Properties of buds of a birch allow to use tincture from them for treatment of chronic and acute forms of eczema, an erosion of skin, any wounds, decubituses, etc.

Broth (or infusion) from birch leaves is rather widely applied as efficient diuretic. Thanks to researches of scientists it became known in recent years that considerable increase of a mocheotdeleniye comes under the influence of infusion from birch leaves (allocation increases from 400 ml to 2500 ml), the otdyshka also decreases, hypostases disappear. Infusion from young birch leaves can be applied as excitant at jaundice, renal colic, various frustration of a nervous system. Besides, such infusion is fine vitamin and anti-inflammatory drug.

In Bulgaria leaves of a silver birch are used as powerful diuretic tool for treatment of atherosclerosis, rheumatism and diseases of kidneys.

The simplest broth from leaves prepares on the following technology: it is necessary to fill in 500 ml of boiled water of 6-8 g of leaves, then to boil this mix about 15-20 minutes then – to filter and accept regularly during the day. Buds of a birch also impose on area of sore joints. Do also special bathtubs of broths of birch leaves.

There is special birch absorbent carbon which is called "Carbolenum", it is applied as adsorbent at poisoning with bacteritic toxins and poisons. At dyspepsia, a meteorism, dysentery birch coal, carefully istolchenny in powder is shown. This coal is also good anti-spasmodic means.

Bactericidal action also birch tar which is received by method of dry distillation of bark possesses (is a part of the known ointment of Vishnevsky which is applied as means to healing of wounds, and also depriving of Vilkinson's ointment used for treatment scaly and itch).

In France the birch is called "a wisdom tree", and its young leaves, kidneys, juice and a root are used with the medical purpose:

• Buds of a birch which properties are rather many-sided are applied in the form of extract;
• Leaves of a birch are used in the form of the infusion possessing calming and stimulating with actions (it is recommended to apply at jaundice and renal colic);
• The root of a silver birch is applied as antifebrile and antirheumatic means;
• Birch sap is the refreshing and useful drink.

Swedes do house beer of the second layer of wood, Germans and the Austrians apply young leaves of a birch as good cholagogue and diuretic, and here residents of Poland use young leaves of a silver birch for treatment of an edema, neurosises, inflammations of kidneys and many other diseases.

Properties of birch leaves just the same, as well as at birch kidneys, but a little in smaller manifestation. Bathtubs from fresh leaves of a silver birch are recommended to do at gout and joint rheumatism at which also advise compresses of the steamed-out dry or fresh leaves. Compresses from birch leaves at burns, decubituses are not less useful, the increased perspiration of legs.

The birch sap having fortifying and diuretic properties is applied at arthritises, gout, a scurvy, hypostases, anemia, trophic ulcers, long not healing wounds, quinsy, a furunculosis.

At treatment of a scrofula, ulcers and wounds bark of a silver birch finds application, and here at fight against a mange and leprosy birch tar is used. At gonorrhea the special birch oil extracted by a distillation method from birch kidneys is applied.

Active application of property of a birch is found also in the perfumery industry, and juice of this tree is parts of various drinks.

Harm

Because kidneys of a silver birch render irritant action, use of broths and tinctures is possible only under control of the doctor. Their prolonged use is strictly forbidden.