Birch sap can be used to treat lung problems after coronavirus. A master class on collecting birch trees and full instructions on how and in what cases it can be used for recovery
Why is birch sap useful?
Birch sap or birch tree is a transparent and almost colorless liquid that begins to circulate along the trunk of a birch tree with the arrival of spring. Under the influence of heat and moisture from the soil, the root pressure in the tree increases and "drives" the life-giving sap up the trunk to the thinnest branches. This sap is to a tree is like blood to our body. At the stage of awakening from hibernation, it saturates and enriches it with all the necessary trace elements. At this point, the tree is ready to generously share the nutrient fluid with the person.
Birch sap is not only drunk, but also used in cosmetology / istockphoto.com
The composition of birch sap is truly unique. This is a natural cocktail of vitamins and minerals that will give odds to pharmacy vitamin complexes and any, even the most highly nutritious dietary supplements. In the composition of the birch tree, scientists have found:
- A (retinol) - has a positive effect on vision and strengthens the immune system
- B1 (thiamine) - normalizes the body's metabolic processes
- B2 (riboflavin) - speeds up metabolism
- B4 (choline) - essential for liver function
- B5 (pantothenic acid) - stimulates collagen production in skin cells
- B6 (pyridoxine) - removes toxins and helps in the synthesis of the happiness hormone serotonin
- B9 (folic acid) - normalizes the intestinal microflora, improves the regeneration of skin cells
- B12 (cyanocobalamin) - stimulates brain activity
- C (ascorbic acid) - increases immunity, improves the body's resistance to disease
- D - necessary for the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by the body
- E (tocopherol) - natural antioxidant
- PP (niacin) - regulates metabolism
- sodium - necessary to maintain water-salt balance
- iodine is an indispensable element for the proper functioning of the thyroid gland
- potassium and magnesium - normalize the work of the cardiovascular system
- iron - prevents the development of anemia
- manganese - stimulates the formation and renewal of bone tissue
This "vitamin bomb" has practically no contraindications. Birch sap can be drunk allergy sufferers, pregnant women, children and even people with chronic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. This drink is very useful for respiratory diseases. It is recommended to drink it after suffering bronchitis and pneumonia. The only thing is that everything is good in moderation, and there is no need to "get drunk ahead". The body has its own resources for the assimilation of nutrients and will not absorb more from the juice than it should. For adults, the rate of consumption of birch sap is no more than a liter per day, half a liter is enough for older people, and one glass is enough for children under 14 years old.
In addition, birch sap is actively used in cosmetology. This natural antiseptic helps against acne, pigmentation, nourishes and moisturizes the skin. Dermatologists advise using birch wood for washes and instead of lotions. If you freeze birch sap in ice cube trays, you can tone your face with such cubes throughout the summer.
For what diseases do they drink birch sap?
Berezovitsa has practically no contraindications for use / istockphoto.com
Gastrointestinal problems. The birch tree stimulates the acid-forming function of the stomach and normalizes digestion. The juice irritates the mucous membrane, is indicated for chronic gastritis and even for stomach ulcers
Decreased hemoglobin. Birch sap contains the perfect combination of glucose, iron, calcium and phosphorus. In case of anemia, this "cocktail" is drunk in 100 ml 10-15 minutes before meals, diluted with apple juice in a 1: 1 ratio
Hypertension. Birch sap normalizes blood pressure due to its diuretic properties, relieves the body of excess fluid and relieves puffiness. To lower the pressure, I drink half a glass of juice twice a day.
Bronchitis and other respiratory diseases. Birch sap strengthens immunity well and increases the body's resistance to diseases. If you start taking it in the early stages of a cold, the body will cope with the disease much faster. Also, birch has expectorant properties, therefore it is useful for bronchitis and pneumonia.
Excess weight and swelling. The diuretic property of birch helps to remove from the body excess fluid, saturate it with vitamins and prepare it for a diet. Therefore, nutritionists often prescribe birch sap "at the start" of the fight against excess weight.
Urolithiasis disease. Birch sap very gently stimulates the process of crushing small stones in the kidneys and bladder, helps to remove sand and harmful salts from the body. People prone to urolithiasis are advised to drink birch in courses - every spring for at least a month.
How to collect birch sap
A drip tube works well for collecting birch sap / istockphoto.com
The healthiest birch sap is fresh sap freshly harvested from the tree. Indeed, when preserved, this magic liquid loses more than half of its nutritional properties. During the season, birch trees can be bought on the market, or you can try to collect it yourself. There is nothing difficult in this, the main thing is to strictly adhere to the collection rules.
- You can collect birch only from mature trees. To identify such a tree, measure the trunk diameter: it must be at least 25 cm. A young tree will give you much less sap and may well die after harvesting. But an adult tree can produce up to three liters of juice in one day without much harm to itself.
- Never use a tree from a nearby park to collect sap. For this, trees that grow in urban areas, near roads and highways, not far from industrial enterprises and even around fields where cereals are sown are not suitable. The fact is that the tree absorbs from the ground not only useful, but also harmful substances. Therefore, birch trees may well be toxic.
- In order not to harm the birch, make a small hole in the trunk at a height of about half a meter from the ground. It can be drilled or cut with a knife, always at an angle of 35-35 degrees. A thin tube must be inserted into this hole (a tube from a medical dropper is well suited for this purpose). Secure a container under the straw where the tree sap will drain. It flows most intensively during the day, from 12 to 18 hours.
- Take care of the tree after taking the sap: the "wound" in the trunk must be closed so that the tree does not become infected with pests. The hole can be hammered in with a peg, covered with moss or covered with garden pitch (sold in any garden center and costs about 30 UAH).
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