As soon as birch was not called in Russia! The people spoke of her: “white-bodied”, “white”, “bright” and even “sparkling”. The Slavs believed that this tree is a gift from the gods, protecting the human race. At first glance, all birches 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 white smooth bark and are considered photophilous. They are unpretentious and grow quite quickly.
Such different birches
Most often we see Betula pubescens ulufornia - downy birch. Its description is as follows: the branches are directed upwards and abundantly showered with ovate leaves. They are quite sticky and delight the eye with their grace. The fluffy birch is wind pollinated, its flowers are unisexual and gather in long inflorescences. Male flowers are hidden in thin earrings, and female flowers in thick ones. The fruit of the tree is a small nut with a pair of membranous wings.
Dangling birch (Betula pendula roth), or warty,differs petiolate leaves in the form of a rhombus. They have a small "groats" of white color. If you crush it, then the tree will be covered with a white cloud of plaque. Types of warty birch and downy birch combine the same height (30 meters) and the flowering period, which falls on May. The fruits of both trees ripen by the end of summer.
Forest "Thumbelina"
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 “inch” trunk is not particularly slender and smooth. On the contrary, it is covered with various tubercles and nodules. If we compare all species, then the warty and fluffy birch differ in more intensive growth from the Karelian. But the advantage of a small birch is that it has amazingly beautiful wood. Amazing patterns resembling a marble coating seem to be carved on the trunk.
How birch is used in medicine
Leaves, buds, birch fungus, sap and bark are suitable for medicinal purposes. Consider what medicinal effect some parts of this tree have. Birch buds are conical in shape with pointed ends. Their length ranges from 3 to 7 millimeters.
Those who have tasted kidneys know they are astringent and resinous. They are usually harvested from January to April. This can only be done in areas designated for felling trees.
Traditional healersbirch buds are successfully used against puffiness of cardiac origin, treat diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys, and are used in inflammatory processes of the skin, muscles and joints. For these purposes, prepare a tincture, decoction and use them inside, according to the recipe.
To the birch for leaves
Also, tree leaves are suitable for harvesting. Most often, fluffy birch is used for these purposes. The photo eloquently demonstrates its small but neat leaves. They usually give off a faint scent.
Fans of traditional medicine know that birch leaves should be harvested in May. It is at this time that they have high stickiness and are considered the most useful. It is recommended to collect leaves from those trees that are deep in the forest.
Some take a convenient folding ladder with them, because they know that trees called pendulous birch, fluffy birch are quite high. Their height is more than 25 meters, and sometimes it is not easy to get close to the branches.
Charcoal, birch sap and chaga
Activated charcoal 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.
Besides this, birch bark is used to produce tar, which is known for its bactericidal properties. Also, this substance is part of various ointments,which are prescribed for the treatment of fungal skin diseases.
Birch sap is extremely tasty and he althy! Its course falls on the spring thaw. The main thing is not to miss this moment, because birch sap is valuable only fresh. It contains a rich amount of vitamins that are recommended for the treatment and prevention of beriberi. The juice also has a positive effect on the digestive function of the stomach and helps to eliminate harmful substances from the body.
Birch fungus is no less popular among admirers of traditional medicine. 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 nature on a summer day and take a look at the magnificence of trees, then fluffy birch will definitely stand out from this variety. This forest former is common in different parts of Russia. Fans of everything mysterious claim that the humble tree was revered as sacred by various peoples.
It was also used in magic. Celtic astrologers compared the birch with the sun, and before embarking on a new business, they often came to the tree to hug its 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 type of tree. For example, if a fluffy birch looked more magnificent than usual, this is for a dry summer. Opinions often differed 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 were resorted to only for magical rituals. The most commonly used components of the drooping or warty birch. Even earlier, it was called "weeping" because of the lowered long branches.
It was she who was credited with a connection with the other world: the dead, mermaids and mermen. Therefore, on the holiday of the water birch, they brightly dressed up and asked to protect it from evil spirits.
Legend of the Mermaid
For a long time people believed that mermaids love birch trees more than anyone else. Our ancestors put together a 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 tree in order to be near her friends.
In addition, there were rumors that the mermaids were fed from the tree with energy, with which it was simply overflowing. Also, local girls resorted to a birch tree to leave a message to the goblin. To do this, they wrote on a piece of birch bark or leaves in the hope that the owner of the forest would fulfill their cherished dream.
Local residents tried to protect any kind of birch. If they wanted to extract juice from it or make simple decorations from wood, they would definitely ask permission fromspirits. Subsequently, protective birch amulets became popular in every Russian hut.
White beauty against evil
In fact, any kind of this tree was considered sacred. It’s just that fluffy birch was the most common. All varieties of this greenery have strong cleansing properties. The power of birch extends both to the physical body of a person and to the energy one. People say something like this: “Heals the body and soul.”
Psychotherapists note that birch has an amazing effect on people. It helps to get rid of melancholy and depression. Wise people made brooms from birch branches, which not only perfectly cleaned the home, but also charged the space for good luck.
Often, wreaths were made from birch branches and hung on fences to protect the house and those living in it from negativity and natural disasters. All old traditions show that the birch is always open for human contact.
