The whole aerial part of the white-trunked tree, symbolizing the Russian open spaces, is saturated with biologically active compounds. The most useful substances in the leaves are essential oil, tannins, flavonoids. The bark is rich in organic pigment betulin. The healing effect is possessed by buds, birch bark, tar, juice and birch leaves. The healing 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 how useful the birch leaf is, how to prepare the raw materials, use it for its intended purpose.
The tree-healer in the "linen dress"
Birch is an ordinary perennial plant in Russia. Slavic peoples considered the tree Beregina - a symbol of Mother Earth. From ancient times, writers, poets and musicians have been singing a beautiful white trunk, an openwork crown.
It was birch brooms in the bathhouse, when it appeared in Russia, that they entrusted with taking care of the purity of the body. The fluid that oozes from the notches in the trunk is a tasty and healthy drink. Dry distillation of wood produces tar - a valuable raw material and a component of medicines and cosmetics. Birch leaves have a rich healing composition. 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 healthy.
It is believed that only 4 of the 120 species belonging to the genus Betula of the birch family (Betulaceae) can be harvested for treatment. 4 species possess almost equivalent medicinal properties, from which birch leaves are harvested. The application in scientific and traditional medicine was found by buds, birch bark, leaves of the following natural species (synonyms are indicated in brackets):
- Betula pendula (B. verrucosa) - Warty birch (dangling, European, white) - a tree with a smooth white bark;
- B. pubescens - B. fluffy - a more northern species, and grows in the Caucasus;
- B. platypliylla - B. platyphyllous;
- B. mandshurica - B. Manchu.
The birch leaf (photo below) is familiar to residents of central Russia and other regions with its rhombic or triangular shape.
A characteristic representative of the family and genus in temperate latitudes is European or white birch. Shiny leathery leaves of this species are painted dark green in color, on the underside they are lighter. The form is rhombic-ovoid, the edges are serrate. The blooming of the sticky young leaves of European birch coincides with the flowering of a tree. This phenomenon occurs in May, and harvesting of medicinal raw materials begins later - in June.
The chemical composition of birch leaves
Different parts of the white-trunked tree differ in the content of healing ingredients. Biologically active compounds are rich in young birch leaves. The healing properties are due to the presence of the following components:
- betulin derivative — betuloretinic acid;
- ascorbic acid (vitamin C);
- tannins;
- glycoside hyperoside;
- a nicotinic acid;
- essential oil;
- provitamin A;
- inositol bitterness;
- flavonoids;
- volatile;
- saponins;
- pitches.
The presence of white pigment and its derivatives is due to the unique therapeutic effect of herbal preparations from birch bark and birch leaves. The resinous substance accumulates in the cavities of the cells of the tree, gives a white color to its bark. Betulin or birch camphor acts against pathogens of respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and polio. According to researchers, white pigment is able to inhibit the growth of malignant tumors, such as melanoma.
Leaves of birch. The healing properties of decoction and infusion
Russian folk medicine has long been recommending to take inside 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 urinary organs;
- kidney stones and bladder;
- uric acid diathesis;
- heart disease
- stomach ulcer;
- atherosclerosis.
What are the benefits of birch leaves for external use. Contraindications
Hot baths and warming compresses with birch leaves are used for pain in joints that are prone to rheumatism, gout and skin diseases. Leaves help 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. The tannins of the leaves improve the condition of the skin with furunculosis and dermatitis. Usually, with local use, fresh or dry shredded birch leaves are steamed and applied to the affected area. Contraindications to the external use of hot compresses:
- exacerbations of inflammatory skin diseases;
- varicose veins, thrombophlebitis;
- heart failure, atherosclerosis;
- damage to the skin;
- fever;
- active form of tuberculosis.
The benefits of birch leaves for hair
Decoctions and infusions of birch leaves with external use for rinsing hair strengthen the roots, improve the condition of curls. The active components of medicinal raw materials eliminate dandruff and itching, prevent hair loss and stimulate hair growth.
Three steps to improve the condition of the scalp:
- Strengthening and growth of hair contributes to the use of a decoction of leaves to rinse the head after washing. Preparation: pour an incomplete glass of dry chopped leaves with 500 ml of boiling water, leave in a water bath for another 10 minutes. Strain the finished broth and add to the water when rinsing the hair.
- Birch leaves for hair in the form of alcohol tincture help to cope with dandruff. Preparation: chop about 1 cup of fresh leaves, pour into a jar, add 200 ml of vodka. Insist 2 weeks. The finished product is applied to the scalp with massage movements. The duration of treatment is from 1.5 to 2 months.
- To improve the condition of hair follicles and curls, an infusion is used. Preparation: pour half a glass of dry chopped leaves 1 ½ cup boiling water. After 1.5–2 hours, strain the ready-made infusion, rub the resulting solution into the scalp 1-2 times a week after washing.
Harvesting birch leaves
Each family can harvest, use the universal "health piggy banks" - birch leaves. Contraindications for use are the same as for other types of medicinal plant 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 hypersensitivity.
A leaf blade of a white-trunked tree traps pollutants, dust and soot from the air. Therefore, it is better to harvest leaves in rural areas, forest belts and forests away from industrial facilities and highways. The time of collecting leaves for applying decoctions inside - until mid-summer; externally use raw materials procured during the entire warm season of the year. Birch leaves are spread in a thin layer on a table or other horizontal surface, preferably under a canopy in the air or in a ventilated room. Drying is carried out slowly to preserve the essential oils.