Birch flat-bed - betula platyphylla sucacz.

Family Birch - Betulaceae

Botanical characteristics. A tree with a white smooth bark, beneath a darker, more cracked.

Leaves ovate-triangular with a truncated base and acute tip, dvuhozubuchatye along the edge. Flowers are collected in cylindrical earrings. Fruit is a nutlet with two wings.

Spread. It is widely distributed in the forest and forest-steppe zones of European and Asian territory of Russia.

Used parts of the plant. Birch plaiceous preparations have the greatest healing properties in comparison with other species, although other types are used in medicine for medical purposes, especially in folk medicine. From wood, tar is obtained, which has disinfecting properties. Birch juice is a useful fortifying drink. It is no accident that this tree is sung in verse and songs.

Leaves and buds of birch flat-faced have choleretic, diuretic, anti-inflammatory, restorative, diaphoretic, expectorant, antiseptic, disinfectant, wound-healing effect.

Chemical composition. All parts of the plant contain biologically active substances. In the bark - betulin, phytosterol, glycosides, saponins, essential oil, resins. Kidneys and leaves contain essential oils, tannins, carbohydrates, phytoncides, vitamins, saponins, triterpene compounds. The kidneys are harvested in the spring before blossoming. Leaves - in July in dry weather.

Application

• Decoction of leaves and kidneys is used for kidney diseases (nephritis, urolithiasis), with tracheitis, bronchitis, cholecystitis, arthritis, neuralgia, peptic ulcer and duodenal ulcers, scrofula, dropsy, skin rashes, wounds, bruises, catarrhal diseases, Antispasmodic, antirheumatic; In Yakutia - with venereal diseases.
• Birch juice has a restorative effect, increases the resistance of the body, has a diuretic effect, strengthens the kidney tissues.
  Birch juice is drunk 1 glass per empty stomach 2-3 times a day for 2-3 weeks. In this case, patients must strictly comply with the diet of milk and vegetable
• Infusion of leaves has a pronounced cholagogue effect. Its effectiveness is higher than other drugs. Positively affects patients suffering from uric acid diathesis.
• Alcohol tincture of the kidneys has an anti-inflammatory, disinfecting property, is used for poorly healing wounds and ulcers and various forms of the specimen.
• Tincture of earrings with pollen enhances potency.

In Mongolian medicine, birch preparations are used for pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, pleurisy, abscesses of the lungs, as an expectorant, for diseases of joints and muscles, for the treatment of beriberi and wounds.

In folk medicine, from birch tar , mixed in equal quantities with lamb and lard, an ointment is prepared, which is used to treat wounds and skin diseases.

In medicine, the drug " Carbolen ", used as an adsorbent for poisoning, food intoxication, with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract is well known.

Fresh juice wipe the face to discolorize freckles and age spots, and also wash the head to strengthen and grow hair.

Preparation

• A birch leaf is often used with equine weeds in equal proportions. The infusion of the mixture is prepared as follows: 20 g of the crushed collection is poured into 200 ml of boiling water, insisted on a boiling water bath for 15 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes, filtered, brought to 200 ml. Take 2 tbsp. Spoons 2-3 times a day after meals.
• From the kidneys prepare a decoction: 10 g pour 200 ml of boiling water, insist on a boiling water bath for 30 minutes, cool for 10 minutes, filter and bring to 200 ml. Take 1 tbsp. Spoon 3-4 times a day after meals.
• Tincture of the kidneys and earrings is prepared on 70% alcohol at a rate of 1: 5. It is applied externally in the form of lotions and rubbing for diseases of the joints and inside 1 st. Spoon 3 times daily before meals.

Contraindications. Birch buds should be used with caution, since resinous substances can irritate the renal parenchyma, so it is necessary to monitor urine tests.

Chaga - birch mushroom

Birch fungus is widely used in medical practice. It has general restorative, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, hypotensive, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects. Chaga is considered a symptomatic agent in the treatment of tumors of various locations. Previously, chaga was used only inward for the treatment of gastritis, ulcers of the stomach and duodenum. Currently, it is also used for mastopathy, varicose veins, gout. The special chag acid contained in the chaga (up to 50%) improves metabolic processes in cells and in the body as a whole, increases the elasticity and strength of blood vessels. On the basis of chaga, the unique technology developed creams-balms that relieve pain in the joints, improve metabolic processes in the joint tissues, prevent the destruction of cartilage and rejuvenating joints. Especially effective are these creams in the initial stages of varicose veins.

Preparation. The infusion from the chaga is prepared as follows: the washed mushroom is soaked in boiled cold water for 5-6 hours, then it is ground. To the crushed raw material, add water in a ratio of 1: 5, warmed to 50 ° C, left over from soaking. Insist 48 hours After the infusion is drained, squeezed through cheesecloth and brought to the desired volume. Take 3-4 glasses a day for tumors. Shelf life is not more than 4 days.

Ready-made preparations should be applied according to the instructions to them and in agreement with the attending physician, as various creams-balms in their composition contain poisonous and potent herbs.

See also:

• All about birch mushroom - chaga
• Chaga in the herbalist 's section
• Birch white - Betula alba L.