Birch is not just a symbol of the Russian people, but also a source of a very healing product. Birch sap (the benefits and harms of the product has been proven), also called birch sap, is a unique drink in terms of composition, which is priceless for humans.
The main components of the drink
The composition of this product is really unique. Among other things, you can find various types of sugar, such as fructose, glucose and sucrose, all kinds of organic acids, enzymes, as well as substances whose main action is aimed at combating microbes (phytoncides). In addition, birch sap, the benefits and harms no doubt, is rich in mineral elements that are so necessary for the human body in the spring. That is why the use of this drink will be an excellent prevention of hypovitaminosis. Berezovitsa will replenish your body with reserves of the following elements:
- potassium (necessary for muscle strength and healthy nervous system);
- calcium (preserves bone health);
- sodium (supports kidney health);
- magnesium (involved in the absorption of glucose and energy production);
- copper (takes part in blood formation);
- iron (deficiency of an element can lead to the development of anemia);
- Manganese (very necessary for the organic development of the human skeleton).
Another feature of birch sap is the fact that it is completely free of fats and proteins, and the amount of carbohydrates, as a rule, is about 3 g.
Useful properties of birch
The benefits of birch sap are really great, because there are so many different substances that are extremely necessary for our body. This is vitamin C, and tannins, as well as various essential oils. It can be safely drunk on hot days, because it can invigorate and quench your thirst, as well as easily replenish the supply of mineral salts, which are lost in large quantities during heavy sweating.
Together with all these components, birch sap contains special substances that secrete it against the background of analogues. These substances are saponins. It is thanks to the presence of these components that birch bark has a beneficial effect on the body and cures many diseases.
Birch sap treatment
- It is useful for various diseases of the throat, in particular, with sore throat and cough. For treatment, you need to use slightly warmed birch sap. The benefits and harms (how to store, you can find out later in the article) are unequal. Pre-mix it with some milk and starch. Drinking this drug is better every day, so it will be more useful until you are healthy.
- Indispensable for disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, as it is able to stimulate the release of the right amount of gastric juice, as well as enzymes that are required for the digestion process to proceed normally. If you have problems with stool, birch sap will definitely help to solve them.
- An excellent oral care product. If you suffer from inflammation or tooth decay, just use birch sap as a rinse aid. No need to spit it out, hold it in your mouth a bit before swallowing a serving. It stands out against the background of fruit juices, since it can only have a positive effect on tooth enamel.
- Birch sap will replace many medicines designed to relieve head pain.
- With symptoms of colds, in particular, a cold, birch sap should be drunk in the amount of one glass daily. The anti-inflammatory compounds that make up the drink will cope with any catarrhal disease, and will do it very quickly.
- The kidneys will also be grateful to you for drinking birch sap. Swelling, stones and sand will be completely defeated by this drink. However, there are some rules for use: before direct use, a mandatory recommendation by the attending physician is necessary, since the folk remedy has a diuretic. Maybe if you use birch sap, the benefits and harms. How to take, so as not to harm yourself? Firstly, no longer than two weeks, daily. Secondly, you need to drink about 3 glasses of the drink.
- Even damage to the skin can be healed by birch sap (the benefits and harms are inferior). Any wounds, ulcers and abrasions are enough to treat with fresh liquid, which does not need to be diluted. And if you use it inside, you can forever forget about eczema, lichen and boils.
- At elevated temperatures, the following composition will help: birch sap, sugar, wine and chopped lemon. Insist this mixture in a dark place for three months, and then use it as an antipyretic.
- Spring depression will definitely recede if you take a glass of juice every day for two weeks.
- To cleanse the body, you need to include in your diet 200 ml of juice before breakfast. The course of treatment, as a rule, lasts about 4-6 weeks.
- And also, this drink is just a miracle diet dish. It contains neither fats nor proteins, which is why it should be in your diet if you carefully monitor your figure.
Any disease is easier to prevent than to treat it later. And birch sap is just a wonderful prophylactic. For a month, drink one glass of the drink a day - and you are not afraid of any illnesses.
Despite the high glucose content in the composition, people registered with the endocrinologist can also drink birch sap. The benefits and harms of diabetes are not the same. For consumption, diabetics need to boil oats straw for 30 minutes on the juice, which was collected during flowering (the proportion of straw to juice is 1: 3). Take this broth before meals in an amount of 100 ml.
You can drink all the birch sap. The benefits and harms for children are unequal.
Pregnancy is the best period in a woman’s life
Many people ask: “Can pregnant women drink birch sap?” The benefits and harms for pregnant women are obvious. The drink is recommended for use only if the woman does not suffer from various allergic reactions to this product. Otherwise, it is better to refuse it.
Pregnant birch sap is very useful because it can relieve severe toxicosis. The amount of drink should be about 2 liters per day, the course of treatment lasts 3-4 weeks until the signs of toxicosis disappear completely. However, abuse is still not worth it because of the high glucose content.
High or low blood pressure during pregnancy can also be cured by taking half a glass of juice up to three times a day. Together with the normalization of pressure, you will feel that the swelling is gone.
After giving birth, you can increase lactation with it and your baby will never be hungry. However, you need to use juice with extreme caution.
Application in cosmetology
Birch sap can be used to care for hair and skin. If you periodically rinse their hair, then dandruff can be prevented. And in combination with cognac and decoction of burdock root, the juice will save you from hair loss. This composition should be applied to the hair, leave on them for 15-20 minutes and rinse with warm water.
In the Scandinavian countries, birch nectar is considered an excellent tool for skin rejuvenation and for its nutrition.
If you have been tortured by acne, use a special mask. Combine egg white, birch and honey. As a prophylactic, it is enough to lubricate the face with undiluted juice or ice cubes from it.
A mask of birch sap (2 tbsp.), Germinated wheat (50 g) and sea buckthorn, which must be wiped (200 g), will help get rid of small wrinkles. Owners of dry skin will use the following composition: in equal amounts of juice and honey.
Contraindications
Despite all the beneficial properties, birch sap can cause some harm. If you are a lover of delicious drinks that are healthy at the same time, you can drink birch sap without restrictions. The benefits and harms of this drink are not equal.
The main contraindications are:
- stomach ulcer;
- allergy to wood pollen, in particular to pollen from birch catkins;
- stones in the kidneys.
In addition, you should not drink juice that was collected in close proximity to highways, or with an expired shelf life.
Product Collection Rules
The optimal period when you can collect birch sap is the beginning of March. It is worth considering that one tree can produce about 3 liters of juice, in rare cases - about 7 liters.
First you need to determine if there is juice in a particular tree. To do this, using an awl, it is enough to make a small hole in the cortex. If after these actions you see a drop that stands out, you can safely begin collecting nectar.
You need to choose only mature trees, the crown of which is quite well developed. It is advisable to drill a hole on the south side at a distance of 50 cm from the ground. The drill must be pointing down. After that, the groove must be inserted into the hole. It is on it that the juice will flow into the left container. To maintain the vital activity of the plant, it is recommended to collect no more than 1 liter of fluid per day.
How to store?
Freshly picked juice can be kept in the refrigerator for up to three days. It is also canned. It can be obtained if you drink canned birch sap, the benefits and harms. Recipes will help to level contraindications. The liquid must be warmed up, then poured into sterilized jars and tightly closed, using for this purpose a special key for preservation.
Another way to store juice is to freeze it. All nutrients will be saved.