Latin name: Betula Pendula. Genera: Birch plant. Folk name: Broom birch, Weeping birch, Spring tree. Plant description: The appearance of a birch does not need to be described. A distinction is made between the downy birch and the downy birch. The Weeping Birch is larger, the Downy Birch grows mainly in damp moors, forests and swamps. Cultivation: Both are widespread in temperate Europe.
Medicinally used plant parts
Leaves, collected in midsummer.
Ingredients
Flavonoids, tannins, bitters, saponins.
Curative effects and use of birch
The drug causes increased urination and is often a component of bladder and kidney teas for flushing therapy in inflammatory, bacterial diseases of the bladder, accompanied by cramping pain in the lower abdomen. It is also used to prevent urinary stones by increasing the amount of urine. It is not indicated for water retention (edema) in cases of reduced heart and kidney activity.
Preparation of birch
Pour 1⁄4 l boiling water over 2 heaped teaspoons of birch leaves and strain after 10 minutes. Drink three cups of tea daily, lukewarm.
Combination with other medicinal plants
The drug does not have a very strong effect and is therefore often used together with other diuretic drugs (bearberry, goldenrod, pumpkin, nasturtium, field horsetail). Birch leaves also promote the production of sweat, they are mixed with lime-tree blossoms (ratio 1:1) and drunk as a tea, sweetened as hot as possible with honey, for colds.
Side effect
With indicated dosage as tea no side effects are to be feared. The tea must be discontinued after the drainage has ended.
