Birch leaves - medicinal properties and contraindications

Birch has always personified the beauty of Russian expanses. A lot of tales and beliefs are connected with this graceful tree of the Slavs. But not only myths and legends famous birch, its healing properties have long been used by traditional healers. And this fact is documented: in the old Russian herbalists mentioned birch leaves, as an effective remedy for heart swelling and skin diseases. However, for therapeutic purposes in Russia, other parts of the tree were also used: bark, buds, young branches.

In the spring, the juice was necessarily collected, and the tree itself went to harvest charcoal and tar. But still for birch leaves there was greater use, especially in the spring.Young leaves were added to salads and soups. Their spicy aroma and light bitterness gave the dishes a unique taste. And at the beginning of the summer, every host harvested birch besoms for the Russian bath for the coming winter. The hygienic procedure in combination with the intense beating of a broom relieved the common cold and rheumatism. The tradition to be treated in the bath with the help of a birch broom has been preserved in our days. Also, from generation to generation, folk recipes that heal from a variety of diseases are carefully transferred.

Healing ingredients

Official medicine does not deny the healing properties of birch leaves. Often, modern doctors along with traditional therapy are prescribed to enhance the therapeutic effect of decoctions and tinctures of the buds or leaves. These two components of the birch tree are often used in combination. Medicinal forms prepared according to popular recipes are widely used in almost all areas of medicine. To understand why a birch leaf is so attractive, you need to examine its composition. Of particular value are fresh leaves, which contain a lot of useful elements:

• bitterness;
• carotene;
• saponins;
• vegetable polyphenols (flavones);
• essential oils;
• tannic, astringent ingredients;
• the vitamin component is represented by acids: nicotinic, ascorbic.

All of these elements are contained in birch leaves in relatively large quantities, which provides a positive result in the treatment of a variety of pathologies. The popularity of the leaves is also explained by the fact that they act on the human body very gently and have virtually no side effects.

Pharmacological properties

• antiseptic;
• regenerating;
• tonic;
• choleretic;
• sudorific;
• immunostimulating;
• soothing;
• antioxidant;
• anesthetic

Medicinal formulations prepared on the basis of leaves can be used as the main means or they are additionally included in the course of therapy in order to solve some additional tasks.

Application area

Probably, all applications of birch foliage is difficult. Let us dwell only on those where he repaired really impressive results.

1. Dermatology. Successfully used to treat a variety of fungal processes, complex dermatitis, psoriasis. Since there are phytoncides in the composition, the sheet has pronounced disinfecting properties, which allows to treat open and burn wounds, bedsores, acne and even skin furunculosis. For external use, a treatment solution is usually prepared, and then in the form of lotions, applications and compresses, the effect is applied to the problem area of ​​the body.
2. Digestive system and intestines. Due to the astringent properties of the leaves, a decoction of them helps to establish digestion and normalize the bowels. It is recommended to drink in case of dysentery, gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholecystitis and other gastrointestinal pathologies.
3. Respiratory system. Broths help speed up the elimination of infectious processes of the respiratory tract, as well as contribute to the discharge of sputum from the bronchi.
4. Urogenital area. Possessing powerful diuretic properties, birch leaves in the composition of dosage forms remove all types of edema. Helps to cope with signs of inflammation of the urinary system.
5. Dentistry. Applications and lotions for exposure to the area in need of treatment (teeth, gums), relieve inflammation and pain.
6. Otolaryngology. Effective gargling with a treatment solution for tonsillitis, as well as washing the sinuses during sinus and rhinitis.
7. Diseases of the joints. Healing compositions are included in the complex treatment of arthritis, rheumatism. They successfully treat systemic lesions of the musculoskeletal system, such as gout and other problems of the joints. Most commonly used external methods of treatment: baths, lotions.
8. Exchange functions. Birch leaves activate metabolic processes, and also remove slags and excess fluid from the body. These properties that improve the exchange activity, are used in home weight loss.
9. Fight against parasites. Although the birch leaf does not belong to potent anthelmintic agents, it is quite effective for ascariasis, pinworms and giardiasis.
10. Restorative action. The rich composition of this natural component made it indispensable for various forms of avitaminosis. Fortified drinks are also used as a tonic.

The unique properties of birch leaves are used not only for therapeutic purposes. The modern beauty industry based on them produces a wide range of cosmetic products for skin and body care.

Restrictions on use

Any medicinal product, including compositions created according to popular recipes, must necessarily be considered in the perspective of possible complications. The ability to gently influence the human body has made birch leaves a very popular home remedy, but even huge benefits do not exclude restrictive measures. Extreme care should be taken when using medicinal formulations with birch leaf, if:

• a person does not tolerate at least one of the structural elements of the plant composition;
• the patient suffers from chronic renal pathology with systemic disorders.

In case of serious renal dysfunctions, it is necessary to consider home treatment options. But the most reasonable approach is to always keep your doctor informed.

Important: If there are contraindications for internal use infusions or decoctions, therapeutic forms can be used for outdoor use.

Medical compositions and features of their use

Taking into account the experience gained by the people, modern traditional medicine is actively using herbal compounds to treat a huge number of diseases. And this practice gives a lot of positive examples. Basically, healing fees are additionally included in the complex of therapeutic measures, but in certain cases are considered as an independent type of treatment.

In the phyto reference books, where the most popular folk recipes are collected, you can find a description of effective remedies based on birch leaves.From this natural and very useful raw material prepare healing infusions, decoctions, tinctures. But the expediency of taking each agent and its safety should be considered individually in each specific case. Here are some recommended recipes that will help improve the condition and get rid of serious problems.

Cleansing decoction
Since birch leaf is recognized as a natural antiseptic, it is recommended to be used for external treatment of problem areas of the skin and mucous tissues. Preparation means consists of several stages:

• First, the raw material (1 l. Art.) Is poured with a glass of plain water.
• The mixture is put on the fire and brought to a boil.
• The solution is infused for one hour.
• Drink half a glass of healing infusion shortly before a meal.

Important: The shelf life of this tool should not exceed two days.

Composition for therapeutic bath
To improve the skin, and at the same time to strengthen the nervous system, you can use a very useful water treatment. This therapeutic bath is best done at bedtime. It is necessary to prepare for the procedure, namely, to prepare the solution according to the following recipe: pour 1 kg of leaves into a large-capacity container (it is better to use fresh raw materials), fill the billet with water (10 l), boil.After an hour of infusion, the useful solution is completely poured into a bath with a water temperature of 36-39 degrees. Pleasant relaxing sessions can be taken twice a week if your doctor permits.

Important: The healing baths according to this method are contraindicated for people with heart and oncological pathologies.

Wellness drink
Saturated with vitamins composition allows using birch leaves as an effective prophylactic agent. To prepare a vitamin drink, you must first chop the leaves. You can use the pharmacy raw materials or dry it yourself. But the best option - this is just picked leaves. For the preparation of the elixir of health will need about 10 spoons (table) green mass and half a liter of chilled, boiled water. After a two-hour infusion, the resulting mixture is well filtered. For the general strengthening of the body you need to drink 100 ml up to 3 times a day.

Diuretic
With the permission of the doctor for problems with the urinary system, you can use a simple recipe. For the preparation of an effective diuretic composition, in addition to the leaves, birch buds will also be required.

• Green mixture is taken in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons.
• Raw curl boiling water (200 ml).
• The solution should infuse for 3 hours.

After straining, you can drink a warm drink up to 5-6 times. It is recommended to drink half a glass at a time.

Alcohol tincture
Alcohol-based dosage forms always exhibit a more pronounced effect than aqueous solutions. Therefore, the use of such powerful medicinal tinctures should always consult with your doctor.

For the preparation of an agent for this recipe, only the kidneys are often taken, which, in fact, are not yet blooming leaves. From birch buds is obtained extract, which is popularly called "birch". Tincture is intended for external use. It offers a combined version when the basis of the composition of the two components: birch buds and leaves.

The manufacturing process: a tablespoon of dry mix is ​​filled with vodka or 70% alcohol. After a week exposure, carefully filter the solution. Store the product in the refrigerator. Take before meals for a teaspoon.

Tincture has a powerful anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect.

For the elimination of gynecological problems
Although in gynecology, birch leaf is not considered as a herbal preparation of priority choice, in this area its antiseptic and antifungal qualities are highly valued. Usually, doctors recommend that women with inflammatory processes in the genital area, use a solution of low concentration for local influence on problem areas by douching. Conducting such procedures effectively with candidiasis, erosive manifestations on the cervix. Drinking tinctures and decoctions is useful in the postpartum period and before menopause. This type of treatment normalizes the menstrual cycle, stabilizes hormonal functions.

Use in pediatrics
Pediatricians do not recommend young children to give to drink any healing solutions based on herbs. Of course, this type of treatment in exceptional situations can be prescribed. But for local use, decoctions and infusions are excellent. With a healing solution with birch leaves you can wash your child’s nose for a cold or gargle when your baby has tonsillitis. But in any form, traditional methods are only an effective element of complex treatment.Parents must take this nuance into account.

Children older than 7 years can be taken inside broths with a small concentration of plant components in bronchitis, helminth infections, dyspeptic manifestations.

Cosmetic care products

As already noted, the modern beauty industry makes extensive use of the healing properties of birch leaves. Today, this industry produces all kinds of skin care products, therapeutic creams and lotions, shampoos that strengthen hair and other products aimed at maintaining youth and beauty. This category of goods is always in demand and in varying degrees, proves its effectiveness. But many people prefer homemade cosmetics to products made in industrial quantities. They according to ancient recipes on herbs prepare cosmetics for their own needs.

A few examples from this "piggy bank" of people's secrets:

1. Broth for the hair is prepared from the leaves of birch, juice and buds. Such a herbal composition after several times of application strengthens the hair structure, refreshes their appearance,gives the curls a healthy shine, and most importantly - eliminates dandruff. Healing composition rinse hair after washing. Preventive course is about a month.
2. Means for problem skin. Porous skin of the face or acne - many of these unpleasant manifestations cause a lot of trouble. Wanting to get rid of these symptoms of unhealthy skin, people spend fabulous sums on the acquisition of exclusive cosmetics. And more often the costs do not justify themselves. But there is always a way out, even from a situation when the most popular cosmetic products do not help. An effective treatment can be prepared from birch leaves at home in the kitchen. For problem skin more suitable alcoholic tincture: 1 l. st. raw materials to 200 ml of liquid containing alcohol. Inflammatory areas need to be treated several times with a cotton pad.
3. For a deeper impact and nutrition, a medical mask will suit: a teaspoon of green mass prepared from fresh leaves is filled with a small amount (50 ml) of freshly boiled water. Two hours the solution is infused, then 1 l is added to it. st. any nourishing cream, after which the composition is applied evenly on the face. This method is more suitable for healing dry skin.

Birch buds and leaves are natural products created by nature itself. They are able to provide invaluable assistance to the human body: restore health, cope with the disease, strengthen human resistance to the negative effects of the environment. But we must remember that any positive result in the treatment is provided by two conditions - a reasonable approach and strict observance of the required rules.

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