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Birch sap: benefits and harms. Video
Birch sap is renowned for its excellent taste and its ability to quickly remove thirst. In addition, it has a huge number of beneficial properties. However, despite this, there are a number of situations when drinking birch sap is not recommended.
Nutritional composition, collection and storage of birch sap
The beneficial properties of birch sap are due to its unique composition. Potassium, magnesium, manganese, sodium, iron are just a few of the trace elements contained in this refreshing drink. It is also rich in vitamin C, essential oils, tannins and organic acids.
In order for all useful substances to be preserved in full and have a beneficial effect on the body, it is important to correctly collect and store birch sap. A large amount of a refreshing drink – up to 7 liters per day – can be obtained from a large tree, the trunk diameter of which is at least 20 cm. But young birches are not recommended for this purpose: there is a high probability that the tree will die.
Sap harvesting can begin in early spring, with the onset of the first thaw, and stop when the buds bloom on the tree. At a distance of 20-30 cm from the ground, a shallow hole should be drilled so that it completely touches the bark and the surface layer of the wood (no deeper than 5 cm). After that, you should insert a birch bark groove or a plastic tip of the dropper system into it and direct it into a pre-prepared clean jar or bottle. Freshly harvested juice should be stored in the refrigerator for no longer than one and a half to two days.
To prevent the birch from dying after saping, it is important to protect the drilled hole in the wood from bacteria and insects. To do this, it should be covered with moss, a wooden cork or covered with a small amount of wax.
Birch sap should be drunk three times a day at least half a glass. It heals the body and strengthens the immune system. Birch sap is most useful for the following diseases:
- hypovitaminosis
- colds and flu
- urinary tract infection
- peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum
- arthritis
- radiculitis
- liver disease, including cirrhosis and hepatitis
- respiratory diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma and even tuberculosis
Also, birch sap accelerates recovery in the postoperative period and promotes rapid recovery from infections. Due to its tonic properties, it will not harm the case of depression and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Despite the huge number of useful properties, in some cases birch sap is contraindicated. The drink can worsen the state of health in the presence of kidney stones, as well as with low acidity of gastric juice. Allergy sufferers should also take it with caution.
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