birch

The birch is a tree of the order of fagales, which is part of the family of betulaceae. The gender to which birch trees belong, on the other hand, is called betula.

There are different species of birch. The common birch (Betula pendula) is native to Southwest Asia and is also found on the European continent, Canada, the Caucasian region and other areas. Its growth usually occurs in places with land humid and temperate climate.

The yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), the gray birch (Betula populifolia), the black birch (Betula nigra), the dwarf birch (Betula nana), the paper birch (Betula papyrifera), the downy birch (Betula pubescens) and the erman birch (Betula ermanii) are others species birch.

At a general level, it can be said that birch reaches a height of up to thirty meters, with female and male flowers and rhomboid-shaped leaves. Their branches they have a silver-colored bark and are characterized by their flexibility.

Due to its characteristics, birch is a tree that is used in different ways. They can take advantage of both their wood like the estate, the sheets and the sap to do buildings, produce food and develop medical treatments, to name a few possibilities.

Thanks to the impermeability of the bark, birch was traditionally used to build boats, clogs, ropes and containers of various kinds. The flexibility of the branches, on the other hand, makes the tree suitable for making baskets and baskets.

Various towns, finally, they attributed to the birch purifying properties and that is why they used its branches to ward off spirits and demons.

Medicinal properties of birch

Among the components of birch we find vitamin C, betulin, methyl salicylate, resins and essential oil, each with various beneficial characteristics for the care of our organism and the fight against a large number of diseases. Some of the disorders that we can combat with the help of this plant are listed below:

* overweight and obesity: there are many slimming diets that include decoctions of birch to help with weight loss. Although it should be taken as a complement to an adequate change in the feeding, its use makes a difference;

* fluid retention: Since this tree has remarkable diuretic properties, it is ideal for stimulating the kidneys. Furthermore, as it is a natural product, its contact with our body is not aggressive;

* osteoarthritis and arthritis: these diseases can mark a before and after in a person's life, especially those who use their body intensely to practice a sport or play a musical instrument. Birch has proven to be a suitable complement to treat them, thanks to its diuretic and anti-inflammatory properties, because they deflate the joints and collaborate with the elimination of the liquids retained there;

* kidney stones: To combat this disorder, many people make use of the sap of birch, which is able to collaborate with the dissolution of the stones. To obtain it, it is necessary to make a cut in the trunk during the last stage of winter, and then drink two small doses a day;

* cystitis: It is difficult to think of a more annoying and irritating problem than cystitis, especially in the context of a life with obligations such as study and work outside the home. Fortunately, in addition to industrial drugs, there is birch, whose bacterial action in combination with its already mentioned anti-inflammatory properties are ideal for try inflammation of the bladder caused by the presence of pathogenic microorganisms;

* diarrhea- It is recommended to drink a decoction of birch three times a day. To prepare it, just add a tablespoon of bark per cup of water.