Health, Alternative Medicine
Birch leaves: medicinal properties, application and contraindications. What are the benefits of birch leaves?
The entire above-ground part of the white-barreled tree, which symbolizes the Russian expanses, is saturated with biologically active compounds. The most useful substances in the leaves are essential oil, tannic compounds, flavonoids. The bark is rich in organic pigment betulin. Healing effect is possessed by buds, birch bark, tar, juice and birch leaves. Therapeutic properties are due to the wide therapeutic effect of essential oils, betulin and tannins on the functions of the human body. We will find out what is useful for a sheet of birch, how to prepare raw materials, use it for its intended purpose.
Tree-healer in "flax sarafan"
Birch is an ordinary perennial plant in Russia. The Slavic peoples considered the tree Bereginya - the symbol of the land-mother. A beautiful white trunk, the openwork crown has long been sung by writers, poets and musicians.
It was the birch twigs in the bathhouse, when she appeared in Russia, that they entrusted care for the purity of the body. The liquid that oozes from the notches in the trunk is a tasty and healthy drink. With dry distillation of wood, tar is obtained - valuable raw materials and a component of medicines, cosmetics. They have a rich curative composition of birch leaves. The healing properties are combined with the valuable economic qualities of the whole plant. The biological effect of the active components that are present in birch leaves is antibacterial, wound healing, analgesic and choleretic.
Not all birch leaves are equally useful
It is believed that only 4 species from 120, belonging to the genus Betula of the birch family (Betulaceae), can be harvested for treatment. They have almost equal medicinal properties of 4 species, from which birch leaves are harvested. The use of kidneys, birch bark, leaves of the following natural species found in scientific and folk medicine (synonyms are indicated in parentheses):
- Betula pendula (B. verrucosa) - Birch warty (dangling, European, white) - a tree with a smooth white bark;
- B. pubescens - B. fluffy - more northern species, growing in the Caucasus;
- B. platypliylla - B. flat-leaved;
- B. mandshurica - B. Manchu.
The birch leaf (pictured below) is familiar to residents of the central strip of Russia and other regions with its rhombic or triangular shape.
A typical representative of the family and genus in temperate latitudes is European or white birch. Brilliant leathery leaves of this species are painted in dark green color, on the underside they are lighter. The form is rhombic-ovoid, the edges are serrate. The opening of the sticky young leaves of the European birch coincides with the flowering of the tree. This phenomenon takes place in May, and the medicinal raw materials are being harvested later - in June.
Chemical composition of birch leaves
Different parts of the white-barrel tree differ in the content of medicinal ingredients. Young birch leaves are rich in biologically active compounds. Therapeutic properties are due to the presence of the following components:
- The derivative betulin -betuloretinic acid;
- Ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- tannins;
- Glycoside hyperoside;
- a nicotinic acid;
- essential oil;
- Provitamin A;
- Bitter inositol;
- Flavonoids;
- Phytoncides;
- Saponins;
- Resin.
The presence of white pigment and its derivatives is due to the unique therapeutic effect of herbal preparations from birch bark and leaves. The resinous substance accumulates in the cavities of the cells of the tree, imparts a white color to its cortex. Betulin or birch camphor acts against the causative agents of respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and poliomyelitis. According to the researchers, the white pigment is able to suppress the growth of malignant tumors, for example melanomas.
Birch leaves. The healing properties of broth and infusion
Domestic folk medicine has long recommended taking a golden broth and infusion of young dried or fresh birch leaves as a diaphoretic, choleretic and diuretic. The solution improves the condition with the following diseases and conditions:
- Inflammatory processes in the organs of urination;
- Stones in the kidney and bladder;
- Uric acid diathesis;
- Heart disease;
- A stomach ulcer;
- atherosclerosis.
Than useful birch leaves with external application. Contraindications
Hot baths and warming compresses with birch leaves are used for pain in joints prone to rheumatism, with gout and skin diseases. The leaves help to heal burns and bruises. Birch essential oil is one of the components of balsams for the treatment of skin diseases, in particular eczema and psoriasis. Tannins of leaves improve the skin condition with furunculosis and dermatitis. Usually, when used locally, fresh and dry ground birch leaves are steamed and applied to the affected area. Contraindications to the external use of hot compresses:
- Exacerbation of inflammatory skin diseases;
- Varicose veins, thrombophlebitis;
- Heart failure, atherosclerosis;
- Damage to the skin;
- Increased body temperature;
- Active form of tuberculosis.
Benefits of birch leaves for hair
Decoctions and infusions of birch leaves with external application for rinsing the hair strengthen the roots, improve the condition of the curls. Active components of medicinal raw materials eliminate dandruff and itching, prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
Three steps to improving the condition of the scalp:
- Strengthening and growth of hair promotes the use of decoction of leaves for rinsing the head after washing. Preparation: pour incomplete glass of dry crushed leaves 500 ml of boiling water, leave in a water bath for another 10 minutes. Strain the broth and add to the water when rinsing the hair.
- Help the dandruff help birch leaves for hair in the form of alcohol tincture. Preparation: approximately 1 glass of fresh leaves to grind, pour into a jar, add 200 ml of vodka. Infuse 2 weeks. The finished product is applied to the skin of the scalp with massage movements. Duration of treatment is from 1.5 to 2 months.
- Infusion is used to improve the condition of the hair follicles and curls. Preparation: pour half a cup of dry crushed leaves 1 ½ cup boiling water. After 1.5-2 hours, the prepared infusion is filtered, the resulting solution is rubbed into the scalp 1-2 times a week after washing.
Preparation of birch leaves
Each family can prepare, use universal "moneyboxes of health" - birch leaves. Contraindications for use are the same as for other types of medicinal plant raw materials - hypersensitivity to individual components. It should be noted that pollen from birch inflorescences during the collection of medicinal raw materials can cause allergic reactions, seasonal hay fever in people with increased sensitivity.
A plate of a white-beet tree catches pollutants, dust and soot from the air. Therefore, it is better to harvest leaves in the countryside, forest belts and forests away from industrial facilities and highways. Time of collection of leaves for the use of decoctions inside - until the middle of summer; Outwardly use raw materials harvested throughout the warm season of the year. Leaves of birch spread a thin layer on a table or other horizontal surface, preferably under a canopy in the air or in a ventilated room. Dry slowly to preserve essential oils.
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