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It is the birch in Russian literature that has received the greatest attention. This tree is beautiful, attracts attention and gives its healing power to people for many thousands of years. They bathe with birch brooms in the bath, expelling ailments and fatigue, and in herbal medicine all parts of this useful tree are used, from the kidneys to the tender bark. But fresh or dried birch leaves are one of the most popular in the treatment or prevention of various pathologies in adulthood. These raw materials are classified as official herbal medicines used in traditional medicine in the treatment of various pathologies.
A powerful force is concentrated in tender bright green birch leaves – it is a concentrate of microelements, water-soluble vitamins, plus many special biologically active substances that help the body work at full strength and maintain health. Birch leaves contain a lot of ascorbic acid, which strengthens the immune defense and stimulates cell regeneration. In this plant, the concentration of vitamin C is higher than even in rose hips.
The leaves contain a lot of nicotinic acid, which stimulates metabolic processes, helps in weight loss. Glutamic acid in the composition of the plant normalizes muscle function, helps in building muscle mass. Fructose and aminoacetic acid stimulate the absorption of essential minerals by the body, as well as regulate the biochemical processes of cells, protect against stress, and normalize the functioning of the nervous system.
Compositions based on birch leaf have a bactericidal effect due to the natural phytoncides contained in their composition (these are natural antibiotics). They inhibit the activity of fungal, microbial flora and viruses.
Due to the content of tannins, which are quite a lot in the leaves, this raw material has a hemostatic and antidiarrheal effect. The leaves fight inflammation, actively help to accelerate tissue repair after damage, cell integrity, and strengthen the walls of blood vessels.
Essential oils were found in the composition of the leaves, which enhance the antimicrobial effect, disinfect tissues and have an anti-inflammatory effect. Flavonoids normalize the functioning of the heart muscle and eliminate spasms of the coronary vessels. Saponins in the composition have expectorant properties.
Bitterness stimulates appetite and regulates digestion, and vitamin E in leaves collected in spring stimulates rejuvenation processes and prevents cell destruction by free radicals. This is achieved due to the high concentration of antioxidants – carotenoids.
Medicinal properties of birch leaves
Usually, a dried birch leaf is included in various herbal teas used for the prevention or concomitant treatment of various pathologies, but can also be used separately. As a rule, herbal medicine complements the main treatment, but sometimes doctors use various options for preparing raw materials as a separate method of therapy.
The antiseptic effect is especially actively used in conjunction with the anti-inflammatory effects of this plant. Herbal teas with birch leaves are widely used in urology and nephrology for the treatment of acute and chronic inflammation of the kidneys, disinfection of the urinary tract (cystitis, nephritis), and also as one of the components in the treatment of urolithiasis.
birch leaves contraindications
Although this is a relatively safe plant, there are a number of contraindications to its use, which must be remembered. These include:
- allergy to birch pollen;
- lesions of the digestive tract at the stage of exacerbation;
- infections of the urinary system in the acute period.
Infusions, tinctures for alcohol, as well as decoctions are not used during pregnancy, lactation and in children under 12 years of age. With increased skin sensitivity and a tendency to form pollinosis on birch pollen, phyto-raw materials are used after performing an allergy test in the forearm.
Application of birch leaves
One of the effects of this plant – a diuretic – is used to remove excess fluid during swelling, as well as to dissolve kidney stones. But it is important to carry out all these actions only under the guidance of a doctor, the effect of herbal medicines is quite strong.
Raw materials have found application in dermatology – an antiseptic with a wound-healing effect helps in the treatment of acne, infected abrasions, scratches, abscesses, boils and dermatitis, ulcerative lesions, eczema. Local forms in the form of lotions, rubbing, applications or baths disinfect wounds and stimulate healing. No less useful is rinsing the hair and rubbing concentrated infusions into the scalp area to enhance metabolic processes and combat baldness.
Birch leaf helps digestion, especially in the presence of gastritis or peptic ulcer, stimulates the cleansing of the liver, is used in the treatment of cholecystitis (but only non-calculous), having a choleretic effect.
Raw materials are used in the treatment of respiratory lesions of the upper and lower respiratory tract. They help due to expectorant, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. With SARS, sinusitis with a runny nose, you can rinse the nasal passages with a decoction or infusion, with tonsillitis and pharyngitis, rinse the throat. With stomatitis, gingivitis or periodontal disease, solutions are used for rinsing the mouth, with toothache for compresses.
Alcohol tincture stimulates the immune system, helps protect against colds, helps in the prevention of scurvy due to the large amount of ascorbic acid.
For gynecological problems, they are used topically, in the complex therapy of endometritis and erosion.
Also, birch leaves are used in the treatment of joints and muscle pain against the background of gout, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, in the correction of the circulatory system, metabolic disorders, and can help eliminate parasites as part of combination therapy.
Herbal medicine for women
Decoctions and infusions are used for rinsing hair and washing, douching with vaginosis and candidiasis, erosion. Inside, they are taken for weight loss and normalization of metabolism, the fight against fungus and inflammation, infections. Useful infusions for menopause, after childbirth (if the woman is not breastfeeding) and to improve sexual life.
For losing weight
Prefabricated infusion 1 tbsp. mix a spoonful of birch leaves with the same amount of nettle, violet and parsley. Pour the mixture with 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 40 minutes. Strain.
Take the infusion warm (35 – 40 ° C) three times a day, 1/2 cup before meals or immediately after it.
This is a non-calorie drink, you can add a spoonful of honey to it.
Phytotherapy for men
In men, birch leaves help cleanse blood vessels, treat urinary tract infections, restore prostate function, reducing symptoms of adenoma and prostatitis. Baths, birch leaf enemas are also useful for chronic prostatitis and infections, hemorrhoids.
From prostatitis
Infusion 1 tbsp. pour a spoonful of dry raw materials into 500 ml of boiling liquid, cover with a lid and leave to infuse for 30 minutes. Then strain the infusion, cool.
Take 50 ml up to 5-6 times a day.
The infusion also helps with giardiasis, liver pathologies, colds and many other health problems.
Phytotherapy in pregnant women and children
During pregnancy, only the external use of decoctions or infusions of a birch leaf is permissible. These are baths for hands and feet, washing the face, rinsing the hair.
Similarly, the use in children under 12 years of age. Only local forms are allowed – rinses, baths, nasal lavage, inhalations with decoctions for ARVI and respiratory infections. Can be used in combination with other injuries and plants. Baths and rubdowns are useful for dermatitis, allergies, infection prevention for minor wounds and abrasions.
Types of healing compounds and recipes
Birch leaves are used in several types of medicines – these are water infusions, alcohol tinctures, various teas and decoctions.
For rheumatism
Tincture
Rinse 50 g of fresh birch leaves thoroughly and dry on a napkin, pour 0,5 l of high-quality vodka in a dark bowl (green or brown, made of glass). Leave for 2 weeks, shaking occasionally.
Apply for compresses on the affected joints. Moisten gauze folded in 8 layers in tincture, apply over the affected area for 20 minutes. Then the compress is removed, the skin is rinsed with running water.
Proper use of tincture on birch leaves under the supervision of a herbalist can help in the treatment of rheumatism, relieve pain in the statutes. In addition, it is applicable externally for skin problems.
With diseases of the heart and blood vessels
Tincture
Half fill a glass jar with a volume of 1,5 liters with dry birch leaves, pour 0,5 liters of vodka. Put in a dark place for 1 month, shaking occasionally. Then strain the tincture, pour into a dark glass bottle.
Take 2 drops per 30-50 ml of water before meals for a course of up to 2-3 months.
For the treatment of kidney and liver diseases
decoction
1 st. put a spoonful of birch buds and 10 leaves in a saucepan, add a pinch of baking soda, pour 250 ml of boiling water, boil for 4 minutes. Then cover with a lid, wrap in a cloth, cover with a blanket and leave for 60 minutes. Strain the broth after.
Take 2 tbsp. spoons before meals three times a day.
For the treatment of kidney and liver diseases
Tea
5 st. tablespoons of birch leaf pour 250 ml of boiling water, leave in a teapot for 15 minutes.
Use as a tea, diluting with boiled water in a ratio of 20 ml of tea leaves to 200 ml of liquid. No more than 6 glasses are allowed per day.
Reviews of doctors about birch leaves
Elena Korsun, Ph.D. head Department of Phytotherapy, ICM RUDN University, Head of the Educational and Health Center at the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine:
– It is an excellent antiseptic, antihypoxic, anti-destructive, healing and diuretic drug. It is part of the drug Sibektan, fees for pyelonephritis, cystitis and gastritis, giardiasis. But it is important to avoid their excessive diuretic effect, if this is not necessary.
Olga Zorina, pharmacist, teacher of pharmacology, chief editor of MedCorr:
– Birch leaf is a rather strong diuretic, used for diseases of the urinary tract and for cardiovascular diseases (if there is swelling). Also an additional plus is the antibacterial effect of the infusion.
IMPORTANT!
Other parts of the birch (buds, branches along with buds and leaves) have completely different, stronger effects. Preparations from the birch leaf are contraindicated in children under 12 years of age, in the acute phase of almost all diseases, as well as in people with a suspected allergy to birch pollen.