What do birch leaves cure? When birch leaves can cause harm

Birch leaves are classified as herbal remedies; this plant has a diuretic effect. I will consider its composition and release form, as well as indications for use, and some other important aspects.

What is the composition and release form of the birch leaves preparation?

The drug is supplied to pharmaceutical market in the form of plant raw materials, which are packaged in paper packs, as well as in propylene bags, their volume can vary, for example, birch leaves are produced in 50, 35, and 75 grams.

The raw material is small pieces of birch leaf blades various shapes. Its color can range from greenish to green-brown with light green, yellow-brown splashes. The smell of this herbal medicine is peculiar and has a faint aroma. The taste of the infusion is somewhat bitter.

You can buy this herbal raw material without a prescription. The box with the herbal medicine should be stored in a dry and dark room. In this case, the shelf life corresponds to three years; after preparing the infusion, the product is stored for no more than three days in the refrigerator.

What are the benefits of birch leaves? Action

The infusion, which is prepared from plant materials of birch leaves, has diuretic effect on the body. The leaves of the plant contain important compounds, among them are: essential oil, there are resinous compounds, tannins, there are flavonoids, saponins, in addition there are other biologically important active ingredients.

When can you use birch leaves? Indications for use

The herbal medicine is prescribed as a diuretic drug in the presence of edema of the cardiovascular system, as well as renal etiology.

Who should not eat birch leaves? Contraindications for use

Among the contraindications to the use of birch leaves, one can note the presence of chronic renal failure, and the herbal medicine is not used for acute glomerulonephritis.

In addition, the herbal medicine is not used for hypersensitivity to any components of this product.

What is the use and dosage of the drug birch leaves?

Prepared from raw birch leaves medicinal infusion, which has a diuretic effect on the body. To prepare it, you will need a tablespoon of this dry plant, pour it into an enamel bowl, and then add 200 milliliters of boiling water.

After which it is recommended to tightly cover the container with the infusion with a lid and leave it for a while. After about forty minutes, the drug will infuse well and it can be filtered; for this you can use a fine strainer through which the liquid should be poured.

Settled on a strainer birch leaves You need to squeeze them well, after which you can throw them away. The volume of infusion that remains should be increased boiled water up to 200 milliliters. Then you can use it with therapeutic purpose, for this you should take the prepared infusion, a third or a quarter of a glass, up to four times a day, about 30 minutes before meals.

Treatment with birch leaves in the form of a herbal infusion can last from twenty to forty days. Repeated treatment should be carried out with a one-week or two-week break.

Before direct use, the finished infusion must be shaken well, as a sediment may appear, but it will not indicate the deterioration of this herbal remedy.

The infusion of birch leaves should be stored in cool conditions; in this case, the drug must be placed in the refrigerator, and it is recommended to use it no later than three days from the date of its preparation, after which it will not have any effect. medicinal effects on the body.

During pregnancy and lactation, the infusion can be used only if the expected benefit to the mother exceeds the risk to the fetus or child, but first, it is still recommended to consult a specialist.

In addition to the infusion, you can also prepare medicinal decoction from birch leaves. In this case, you will also need a tablespoon of raw material, pour it into a container, add boiling water in the amount of a glass, and then place it on water bath for about ten minutes, while the drug should not boil violently.

When ten minutes have elapsed, remove the broth from the stove and leave it at room temperature to cool, but you can cover it with a lid. When it becomes warm, you can start filtering it.

You can use gauze, cover a clean dish with it, and carefully pour the liquid, squeeze out the settled cake and throw it away. Or use a regular strainer through which the medicinal drug is filtered.

After which the broth should be brought to 200 milliliters with boiled water. Take it in the same way as an infusion of birch leaves, it is better to get a consultation first qualified specialist.

Birch leaves - overdose

To date, there have been no recorded cases of overdose of infusion prepared from birch leaves.

Can birch leaves cause harm? Side effects

In some cases, especially in persons with a high allergenic background, some allergic reactions, sometimes they can be expressed in the form of a rash and redness of the skin.

What are the analogues of the drug from birch leaves?

Currently there are no analogues.

Conclusion

Before using the infusion, which includes birch leaves, the instructions for use recommend consulting with a specialist; in addition, you should take medications prescribed by the doctor.

The birch tree has always personified the beauty of Russian open spaces. The Slavs have many legends and beliefs associated with this graceful tree. But the birch tree became famous not only for myths and legends, but also for its medicinal properties have been in use for a long time traditional healers. And there is documentary evidence of this fact: ancient Russian herbal books mention birch leaves as effective means from cardiac edema and skin diseases. However, other parts of the tree were also used for medicinal purposes in Rus': bark, buds, young branches.

In the spring, the sap was collected, and the tree itself was harvested charcoal and tar. But still, for birch leaves there was greater application, especially in the spring. Young leaves were added to salads and soups. Their spicy aroma and slight bitterness gave the dishes a unique taste. And at the beginning of summer, each owner prepared birch brooms for the Russian bathhouse for the coming winter. Hygiene procedure in combination with intensive beating of a broom, it relieved colds and rheumatism. The tradition of being treated in a bathhouse with a birch broom has survived to this day. They are also carefully passed down from generation to generation. folk recipes, healing from a variety of diseases.

Healing ingredients

Official medicine does not deny healing properties birch leaves. Often modern aesculapians, along with traditional therapy prescribed for strengthening therapeutic effect decoctions and tinctures from buds or leaves. These two constituents of birch wood are often used in combination. Prepared according to folk recipes dosage forms widely used in almost all areas of medicine. To understand why the 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;
plant polyphenols (flavones);
essential oils;
tanning, astringent components;
The vitamin component is represented by acids: nicotinic, ascorbic.

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

Pharmacological properties

Mostly birch leaves are produced in industrial quantities in the form of prepared raw materials intended for self-cooking. medicinal compositions. The pharmacy packaging contains instructions for use, and also indicates the main effect - a diuretic. But in addition to the diuretic effect, birch leaves also have a whole range of useful qualities:

antiseptic;
regenerating;
general strengthening;
choleretic;
sweatshop;
immunostimulating;
calming;
antioxidant;
painkillers.

Prepared from leaves medicinal compounds can be used as the main means or included additionally in the course of therapy to solve some additional problems.

Application area

It is probably difficult to name all the areas of application of birch foliage. Let's focus only on those where he repaired with truly impressive results.

The unique properties of birch leaves are used not only for medicinal purposes. The modern beauty industry uses them to produce a wide range of cosmetic products designed to care for body skin and hair.

Restrictions on use

Any medicine, including compositions created according to folk recipes, must be considered in perspective possible complications. The ability to have a gentle effect on the human body has made the birch leaf very popular means For home treatment, but even great benefit does not exclude restrictive measures. You should be extremely careful when using medicinal compositions with birch leaves if:

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

For severe kidney dysfunction, home treatment options need to be considered thoughtfully. But the smartest approach is to always keep your doctor in the loop.

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

Medicinal compositions and features of their use

Taking into account the experience accumulated by the people, modern traditional medicine actively uses herbal compositions for the treatment of a huge number of diseases. And such practice gives a lot positive examples. Mostly healing fees are included additionally in the complex therapeutic activities, but in certain cases are considered as an independent type of treatment.

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

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

First, the raw material (1 tbsp.) is poured with a glass of plain water.
The mixture is placed on the fire and brought to a boil.
The solution is infused for an hour.
Drink half a glass healing infusion shortly before meals.

Important: Shelf life this tool should not exceed two days.

Composition for therapeutic bath
Improve your health skin, and at the same time strengthen nervous system you can use a very useful water procedure. like this medicinal bath It's best to do it before bed. You need to prepare for the procedure, namely, prepare a solution according to the following recipe: pour 1 kg of leaves into a large container (it is better to use fresh raw materials), pour water (10 liters) into the preparation, and boil. After an hour of infusion useful solution 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 allows it.

Important: Healing baths This method is contraindicated for people with heart and cancer pathologies.

Health drink
The vitamin-rich composition allows the use of birch leaves as an effective prophylactic. To prepare vitamin drink, you need to first chop the leaves. You can use pharmaceutical raw materials or dry it yourself. But best option These are freshly picked leaves. To prepare the health elixir, you will need approximately 10 tablespoons (tablespoons) of green mass and half a liter of cooled, boiled water. After two hours of infusion, the resulting mixture is well filtered. For general strengthening the body needs to drink 100 ml up to 3 times a day.

Diuretic
With your doctor's permission, if you have problems with the urinary system, you can use simple recipe. To prepare an effective diuretic composition, in addition to leaves, you will also need birch buds.

The green mixture is taken in the amount of 1 tbsp. spoons.
The raw materials are curled with 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 one time.

Alcohol tincture
Dosage forms for alcohol based always show a more pronounced effect than aqueous solutions. Therefore, regarding the use of such powerful medicinal tinctures You should definitely consult a doctor.

To prepare the product according to this recipe often only buds are taken, which, in fact, are still unbloomed leaves. Birch buds produce an extract, which is popularly called “beryozovka.” The tincture is intended for external use. Here we offer a combined option, when the composition is based on two components: birch buds and leaves.

Manufacturing process: a tablespoon of the dry mixture is filled with vodka or 70% alcohol. After a week of aging, the solution is carefully filtered. Store the product in the refrigerator. Take a teaspoon before meals.

The tincture has a powerful anti-inflammatory and diuretic effect.

To eliminate gynecological problems
Although in gynecology birch leaf is not considered as herbal preparation priority choice, its antiseptic and antifungal qualities are highly valued in this area. Doctors usually recommend that women who have inflammatory processes genital area, use a low concentration solution to carry out local impact on problem areas using the douching method. Carrying out similar procedures effective against candidiasis and erosive manifestations on the cervix. Drinking tinctures and decoctions is useful in postpartum period and before menopause. This type of treatment normalizes menstrual cycle, stabilizes hormonal functions.

Use in pediatrics
Pediatricians do not recommend giving young children any herbal-based healing solutions to drink. Of course, this type of treatment can be prescribed in exceptional situations. But for local application decoctions and infusions are excellent. A healing solution with birch leaves can be used to rinse a child’s nose when he has a cold or gargle when the child has a sore throat. But in any form traditional methods are only an effective element complex treatment. Parents must take this nuance into account.

Children older than 7 years can take decoctions with small concentration herbal ingredients for bronchitis, helminthiasis, dyspeptic manifestations.

Cosmetic care products

As already noted, the modern beauty industry widely uses the healing properties of birch leaves. Today, this industry produces all kinds of skin care products, medicated creams and lotions, hair strengthening shampoos and other products aimed at maintaining youth and beauty. This category of goods is always in demand and, to one degree or another, proves its effectiveness. But many people prefer homemade cosmetics products manufactured in industrial quantities. They old recipes prepared with herbs own needs cosmetical tools.

A few examples from this “piggy bank” of folk secrets:

A decoction for hair is prepared from birch leaves, sap and buds. This herbal composition strengthens the hair structure and refreshes it after just a few times of use. appearance, gives hair a healthy shine, and most importantly, gets rid of dandruff. Healing composition rinse your hair after washing. The preventive course is about a month.
Remedy for problem skin. Porous facial skin or acne- For many, these unpleasant manifestations cause a lot of trouble. Wanting to get rid of similar symptoms unhealthy skin, people spend fabulous sums on exclusive cosmetics. And more often than not the costs are not justified. But there is always a way out, even from a situation where the most popular cosmetic products do not help. An effective remedy Treatments can be prepared from birch leaves at home in the kitchen. More suitable for problem skin alcohol tincture: 1 l. Art. raw materials per 200 ml of liquid containing alcohol. Inflamed areas need to be treated several times with a cotton pad.
Suitable for deeper impact and nutrition healing mask: a teaspoon of green mass prepared from fresh leaves, pour in a small amount (50 ml) of just boiled water. The solution is infused for two hours, then 1 liter is added to it. Art. any nourishing cream, after which the composition is applied evenly to 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 help the human body: restore health, cope with illness, strengthen human resistance to negative impact environment. But we must remember that any positive result in treatment is ensured by two conditions - a reasonable approach and strict adherence to the required rules.

Video: medicinal properties of birch leaves

Birch is a fairly common tree in many countries of the Northern Hemisphere, but for some reason it is considered a symbol of Russia, and not of any other country. For what reason the tree is identified with Russia is not known, perhaps because light tree trunks are associated with the bright and endless Russian expanses. Or because only in Russia are birch brooms used for baths, and the bath itself is an original Russian invention. Be that as it may, our country has long understood that birch is not only a beautiful, but also a useful tree.

Chemistry and benefits

There are about 120 species of birch in the world, but only four species have medicinal properties: the white-barked European birch; at the downy birch; at the Manchurian birch; in flat-leaved birch.

What substances determine the medicinal properties of birch? As scientists have found, birch buds and leaves have a great variety of useful health benefits. human body biologically active substances. One birch leaf is a small vitamin or tablet containing substances such as:

Ascorbic acid;
A nicotinic acid;
Betuloretic acid;
Tannins;
Plant glycosides;
Carotenoids;
Essential oil;
Saponins;
Bitterness;
Phytoncides;
Resins;
Flavonoids;
Alkaloids.

The white pigment found in the bark of a tree, along with other substances, has the ability to suppress harmful bacteria, causing infectious and respiratory diseases, tuberculosis and polio, stops the growth of malignant tumor cells.

Traditional medicine uses the properties of birch leaves to treat a number of diseases, such as pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and bronchitis. Essential and tannin substances help cope with these ailments; they have antimycotic, anti-inflammatory and bactericidal properties.

These same substances allow you to get rid of Trichomonas bacteria, Giardia and other pathogens. Moreover, during treatment with birch preparations, beneficial microflora intestines is preserved and activated. As a result, the human body becomes less vulnerable to cold and flu viruses, and its immunity increases.

Decoctions and infusions of birch leaves are used to treat gastrointestinal diseases, dysentery, diarrhea, food poisoning, cholecystitis and other liver diseases.

The medicinal properties of birch leaves can be used for vitamin deficiency, neurosis, asthenic conditions and stress.

A decoction of birch leaves is used as a diuretic, choleretic and antiseptic. For oral administration, a decoction is prepared from fresh leaves; it is not too saturated, so that it is light, golden in color. And for external use, you can make stronger and more concentrated aqueous and alcohol infusions– they are used for compresses and rubbing.

Lotions and baths from the leaves help relieve inflammation and pain in joints and muscles due to gout, myositis, rheumatism, some skin diseases. They promote the healing of wounds, ulcers, bruises, burns, and alleviate skin cancer conditions.

Essential oil obtained from birch leaves is included in the composition medicinal ointments and balms for the treatment of dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis.

Substances found in birch leaves heal and strengthen the heart, remove kidney stones, dissolve blood clots, improve the blood formula, activate blood circulation, and bring it back to normal. arterial pressure, restore bone marrow cells.

Preparations from birch leaves are also used in gynecology for the treatment of infectious diseases and inflammation. And in cosmetology they are used to strengthen hair roots, prevent dandruff and itching.

Made from birch wood Activated carbon, which absorbs and removes toxins from the body when food poisoning and other negative impacts.

All this suggests that birch has a lot of medicinal properties; the main thing is to properly prepare preparations from its raw materials.

Procurement of raw materials

The most beneficial properties of birch are the buds and young leaves. The buds are collected in early spring, and the leaves in May, when they are still sticky.

Medicinal raw materials must be collected in areas far from busy roads, industrial enterprises, large settlements.

The leaves are dried in the shade, under a canopy or in a drafty room, spread thin layer on paper or fabric. Dried raw materials are stored in paper or linen bags in a dry place. Their shelf life is 1.5-2 years.

The buds are collected in March. Most often, in the forest, branches are cut from birch trees and brought home, so that at home, in the warmth, they can collect buds from them, since at this time of year it is still cold outside. The buds can be dried in the oven at a temperature of 45-50 degrees for 1-2 hours, or in a warm and dry room, avoiding contact with sun rays. Birch buds in a dried state, and when proper storage retain healing properties for 1-2 years.

Folk recipes

Birch leaves - medicinal properties the best way are revealed in decoctions, infusions, tinctures and ointments that can be made at home.

Recipe 1.

Medicinal infusion of birch leaves and baking soda. 2 tbsp. dry crushed birch leaves, pour 500 ml of boiling water, add 1 tsp. baking soda, leave for 1 hour, filter. Drink 100 ml infusion 3-4 times a day before meals as a diuretic, choleretic, and tonic.

Recipe 2.

Hot compresses for arthritis, arthrosis, rheumatism. Fresh leaves are washed, scalded with boiling water, cooled to a comfortable temperature, applied to the sore spot, wrapped in cellophane and a warm cloth. The procedure lasts 2-3 hours, the course of treatment is 10 days, then a break and, if necessary, repeating the course.

Recipe 3.

Infusion of birch leaves for dyspepsia and dysentery. Pour 10 grams of dry leaves into 500 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain and drink 100 ml 3-4 times a day.

Recipe 4.

Infusion for nephritis, kidney stones and neuroses. 100 grams of fresh leaves are mashed in a coffee grinder until juice appears. Pour 250 ml warm water, leave for 5-6 hours, filter and drink 100 ml three times a day before meals.

Recipe 5.

Decoction for removing kidney stones and Bladder. 2 tbsp. dry leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, cook over low heat until the liquid is reduced by half. Then filter and drink 1 dessert spoon three times a day an hour before meals. During treatment, nausea and pain may appear, this indicates that the stones are softening, moving from place and will soon come out. If these symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor so that the stones can be passed under medical supervision.

Recipe 6.

Decoction for rinsing hair. 1 tbsp. dry leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, heat in a water bath for 20 minutes, strain. Mix the decoction with 1 liter of warm water and use to rinse your hair after washing. The same decoction, undiluted with water, can be used for compresses against acne, diathesis, and joint pain.

Recipe 7.

Alcohol tincture for skin cancer. 100 grams of birch leaves are kneaded until the juice appears, put in a container, pour 500 ml of vodka or alcohol, and place the container in a dark place for 10 days. Then filter and use for rubbing and compresses. To enhance the therapeutic effect, they simultaneously begin to drink propolis infusion in water.

Recipe 8.

Infusion for edema associated with heart failure. 1 tsp leaves, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, drink 3-4 times a day with honey or sugar.

Recipe 9.

For rheumatism of the feet, they make the following remedy: stuff woolen socks a little bigger size birch leaves and put them on. Socks with leaves should be worn for 5-6 hours every day, the leaves should be changed after 2-3 days. Significant relief may occur within 7-10 days.

Recipe 10.

Fungus on the feet is treated as follows: fresh birch leaves are placed between the fingers 2-3 times a day, changing them every 6-7 hours.

Recipe 11.

To get rid of lamblia, prepare the following infusion: wash 10-12 fresh birch leaves, pour 1 liter of boiling water, cover the container and leave for 12 hours, all night. In the morning, filter and drink 250-300 ml three times a day, half an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 30 days, then a 2-week break and resumption of treatment.

Recipe 12.

Infusion for the treatment of atherosclerosis. 200 grams of leaves are poured into 500 ml of boiled milk, left for 1 hour, filtered and drunk 100 ml an hour before meals. The course of treatment is 1.5 months, break 1 week. 4 courses per year are enough.

Recipe 13.

Antipyretic and anti-inflammatory tea made from young birch leaves. 1 tbsp. crushed fresh leaves are placed in a thermos and 250 ml of boiling water is poured. Leave for 30 minutes, then use as tea leaves, diluting with boiled water and drinking 4-6 times a day with honey.

Recipe 14.

Infusion for the treatment of prostatitis. 1 tbsp. powder from dry birch leaves, pour 500 ml of boiling water, let cool and brew, strain. Drink 5-6 times a day 10-15 minutes before meals.

Recipe 15.

For myositis, radiculitis, rheumatism, compresses and poultices are used. For this, 2 tbsp. leaves are brewed with 250 ml of boiling water, allowed to cool to a comfortable temperature, the steamed mass is applied to the sore spots, wrapped in cellophane and woolen cloth. It is best to do lotions at night.

Recipe 16.

Inhalation in a bathhouse for a cold. Birch broom steamed in a bathhouse in a bucket or basin, inhaled the steam colds. Then they are rinsed with the water in which the broom was brewed. Inhalation can be done at home by brewing the leaves in a saucepan.

Recipe 17.

Tincture of birch buds. 100 grams of birch buds are poured with 500 ml of alcohol with a strength of 70%, infused in a dark place for 3 weeks. Shake the tincture from time to time. After 21 days, filter, drink 20-30 drops with water, 15 minutes before meals three times a day.

Alcohol tincture of birch buds is useful for indigestion, colds, dysentery, malignant neoplasms, worms, headaches, problems with bladder, rheumatism, large blood loss.

Recipe 18.

The tincture for external use is prepared as follows: grind 100 grams of buds in a coffee grinder, add 500 ml of vodka or alcohol, leave for 10 days, then filter.

The tincture is used for compresses and rubbing for rheumatism, gout, wounds, eczema, and toothache.

Recipe 19.

Alcohol tincture for indigestion. Pour 20 grams of birch buds into 500 ml of vodka, leave for 7 days, strain, squeeze out the buds. Drink 15 drops three times a day before meals with a small amount of water.

Externally, the tincture can be used to treat acne, ulcers, wounds and bedsores, diluted with water.

Contraindications

Preparations made from birch leaves and buds do not contain toxic substances, but they may be contraindicated during exacerbations of chronic kidney and liver diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in case of individual intolerance.

Start treatment with birch preparations after consulting a doctor, listen to the body’s reaction to them. As a rule, if a drug is taken for the first time, do so in small doses and gradually increase the dosage to the norm specified in the prescription.