As soon as they did not call birch in Russia! The people spoke of her: “whitewashed, ” “whitewashed, ” “bright, ” and even “sparkling.” The Slavs believed that this tree is a gift of the gods, protecting the human race. At first glance, all birch trees look the same, but in fact they are divided into several types: drooping birch (warty), fluffy birch, Karelian birch. The first two types of tree have a white smooth bark and are considered photophilous. They are unpretentious and grow quite quickly.
So different birch trees
Most often, Betula pubescens ulufornia - fluffy birch - falls into our field of vision. Its description is as follows: the branches are directed upwards and abundantly showered with ovoid leaves. They are quite sticky and pleasing to the eye with their grace. Fluffy birch is pollinated by the wind, its flowers are gay and gather in long inflorescences. Male flowers hide in thin earrings, and female flowers in thick ones. The fruit of the tree is a small nut with a pair of webbed wings.
Drooping birch (Betula pendula roth), or warty, differs in petiolate leaves in the form of a rhombus. They have a small "groats" of white color. If crushed, the tree will be covered with a white cloud of plaque. Species warty birch and fluffy birch combine the same height (30 meters) and flowering period, which occurs in May. The fruits of both trees ripen by the end of summer.
Forest "inch"
So affectionately called Betula pendula carelica - Karelian birch, which is found mainly in southern Russia. Its height is only 5-7 meters. This is the main difference between the Karelian birch and its other "sisters".
Also, the barrel "inch" is not very slim and smooth. On the contrary, it is covered with various tubercles and influxes. If we compare all species, then warty and fluffy birch are more intensive growth from Karelian. But the advantage of small birch is that it has amazingly beautiful wood. On the trunk, as if carved amazing drawings resembling a marble coating.
How to use birch in medicine
For medicinal purposes, leaves, buds, birch mushroom, juice and bark are suitable. Let's consider what medicinal effect some parts of this tree have. Birch buds have a conical shape with pointed ends. Their length ranges from 3 to 7 millimeters.
Those who have tasted the kidneys know that they are astringent and tarry. Usually they are collected from January to April. This can only be done in areas that are designed for cutting trees.
Traditional healers successfully use birch buds against puffiness of cardiac origin, treat diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys, and use them in inflammatory processes of the skin, muscles and joints. For these purposes, prepare tincture, decoction and use them inside, according to the recipe.
To the birch behind the leaves
Also suitable for harvesting are the leaves of the tree. Most often, fluffy birch is used for these purposes. The photo eloquently demonstrates its small but neat leaves. They usually exude a faint aroma.
Fans of traditional medicine know that birch leaves should be harvested in May. It was at this time that they were highly tacky and considered the most useful. It is recommended to collect leaves from those trees that are in the depths of the forest.
Some take along a convenient folding ladder, because they know that the trees are quite tall, called birch saggy, fluffy birch. Their height is more than 25 meters, and getting to the branches is sometimes difficult.
Coal, Juice and Chaga Birch
Activated carbon is obtained from the bark of the “Russian Beauty”, which is used for intoxication, dyspepsia and flatulence. Pharmacological companies produce birch charcoal in tablets and powder. It is often used in medical institutions for poisoning with toxic substances.
In addition, birch bark is used to produce tar, which is known for its bactericidal property. Also, this substance is part of various ointments that are prescribed for the treatment of fungal skin diseases.
Extraordinarily tasty and healthy birch sap! Its course falls on the spring thaw. The main thing is not to miss this moment, because birch sap is valuable only in fresh form. It contains a rich amount of vitamins, which are recommended for the treatment and prevention of vitamin deficiency. Juice also has a positive effect on the digestive function of the stomach and helps to eliminate harmful substances from the body.
No less popular among fans of traditional medicine, birch mushroom. It is thoroughly washed and then soaked in water for 5 hours. After that, it is passed through a meat grinder, diluted with warm water and left to infuse at room temperature for about 2 days. After this time, the resulting infusion is filtered. Store it in a dark place.
Interesting about birch
If you go out into the nature on a summer day and look at the splendor of trees, then fluffy birch will definitely stand out from this variety. This forester is widespread in different parts of Russia. Fans of all the mysterious claim that the modest tree was revered as sacred by various peoples.
Including it was used in magic. Celtic astrologers compared the birch with the sun, and before starting a new business, they often came to a tree to hug his trunk and ask for good luck. Druids also revered the birch as a symbol of the beginning.
In many traditions, she was personified with innocence, purity and femininity. In Russia, people tried to determine the weather by the appearance of a tree. For example, if the fluffy birch looked more magnificent than usual, it is in the dry summer. Opinions often diverged about the magical properties of the white beauty.
Some called it the "tree of the dead" and never used wood, leaves and buds for medicinal purposes. They resorted to only for magic rituals. Most often used components of birch saggy or warty. Even earlier, it was called "weeping" because of the omitted long branches.
She was credited with a connection with the other world: the dead, mermaids and water. Therefore, on the feast of water birch brightly dressed up and asked her to protect from evil spirits.
The legend of the mermaid
Since ancient times, people believed that mermaids love birch more than anyone else. Our ancestors laid down the legend that one of them lingered on land longer than usual, not having time to hide in the water at dawn. Therefore, she turned into a thin birch to be next to her friends.
In addition, there were rumors that the mermaids were fed from the tree with energy, which it was just overflowing. Also, local girls resorted to a birch to leave a message to the devil. To do this, they wrote on a birch bark or leaflets in the hope that the owner of the forest will fulfill their cherished dream.
Local residents tried to protect any kind of birch. If they wanted to extract juice from it or make simple jewelry from wood, then they necessarily asked permission from the spirits. Subsequently, security amulets made of birch became popular in every Russian hut.
