Birch is a deciduous tree or shrub of the northern hemisphere, which is widespread from Europe through Asia and into America. Both the birch leaves and the bark and sap of the plant contain medicinally active ingredients, which include, for example, the anti-inflammatory flavonoids and the diuretic and expectorant saponins. The medicinal properties have helped the individual components of birch species such as the sand birch to their traditional use in folk medicine and give them important significance in the naturopathic treatment of diseases such as dropsy, rheumatism or gout to this day.
Occurrence and cultivation of birch
All birch species are deciduous trees or shrubs. They grow with single, but sometimes several trunks, reaching growth heights of up to 30 meters. Birches are a genus of the birch family. All birch species are deciduous trees or shrubs. They grow with single, but sometimes multiple trunks, reaching growth heights of up to 30 meters. Their wood is rather soft and takes the colors black, light brown and white in the grain. The inflorescences of the birch are also called catkins. The fruit clusters are leathery scaled and stand erect or drooping. Birches grow mainly in the northern hemisphere of the earth. There they can be found from Europe to North America and Japan. Their wood is often used as firewood, as the essential oils in the bark act as a catalyst in combustion processes. In addition, many cosmetics, as well as hair treatments contain components of birch.
Mode of action and use
The leaves of many species of birch contain many flavonoids, which are associated with vasoprotective and gastroprotective effects. Flavonoids have been shown to have anti-allergic, antiviral and antioxidant properties. They activate certain cells of the immune system and for this reason are anti-inflammatory. Presumably, flavonoids even possess cancer-preventing properties, as recent laboratory studies have suggested for the first time. In addition to flavonoids, birch leaves also contain relatively high amounts of saponins, which also have anti-inflammatory and diuretic and expectorant effects. In addition to these cleansing functions, saponins bind cholesterol and also support the gastrointestinal tract. In addition to saponins and flavonoids, vitamin C, essential oils and tannins are important components of birch leaves. While the essential oils help against inflammation in the throat and stomach cramps, the tannins of the leaves inhibit bleeding and compact the tissue with a protective layer. Like flavonoids, they also counteract inflammatory processes. In turn, the bark of the birch contains phytosterols and terpenes, which are associated with cholesterol-inhibiting as well as blood circulation– and excretion-promoting properties. The betulin contained in the stem has thus been shown to have a cancer-preventive effect. Birch sap is usually extracted from the bark and is often used in the form of tinctures or oils. In turn, the leaves and leaf buds of the birch are usually processed into powder preparations or consumed whole. Tea can be made from all components of the plant and is therefore one of the most popular birch products. The leaf buds of the plant are collected in March. The harvest time for birch leaves is between May and June. Birch sap, on the other hand, is mainly tapped between March and May. The trunk is tapped so that the sap can flow off. The sap in particular is also suitable for treating open wounds, skin rashes or dandruff because of its cleansing effect. For this purpose, for example, birch baths were also taken in the past. Washing hair with birch water was then considered a preventive measure against phenomena such as hair loss.
Importance for health, prevention and treatment
In folk medicine, birch has been used for several centuries because of its medicinally effective ingredients. In particular, the medicinal use of sand birch has a long tradition, as its ingredients are particularly blood purifying and diuretic and can thus be used against rheumatism, gout and dropsy. The kidneys also benefit from the intake of all birch components, as the diuretic effect has a cleansing effect on them. Birches also have a diaphoretic effect and induce a healing fever in acute diseases. In this context, the buds of the plant are used especially in respiratory diseases.The main field of application of the popular birch tea made from boiled fresh birch leaves is still the field of inflammatory processes. The hot drink is effective against inflammation of the bladder, kidneys and gastrointestinal tract. In addition, it can be used against cough and digestive system complaints. Above all, users can prepare birch tea themselves with little effort by collecting birch leaves and infusing two tablespoons of them in a liter of hot water for ten minutes. The cooled tea can be used against skin rashes or poorly healing wounds also in the form of a compress. Birch can thus be used against acute complaints. The flavonoids and betulin in birch bark in particular can also have a preventive effect due to their anti-cancer properties. Both external and internal diseases can be treated with the plant. As a rule, users do not have to reckon with risks and side effects.
