The benefits and harms of birch sap were well known to our ancestors. More precisely, they knew more about its beneficial, medicinal properties. They also knew when and how to collect this medicine, how to prepare it correctly in order to preserve the healing substances as much as possible. This forest drink has few contraindications, but they still exist, and they were established by traditional medicine after a series of observations of patients suffering from urolithiasis and stomach ulcers.

For representatives of the current generation, birch sap is a kind of antiquity, a true story, a natural product from the times of the USSR, which has become a thing of the past along with the realities of life. There is some truth in this, because the value of this drink, the methods of its collection and preparation are gradually forgotten. And the volumes of its industrial procurement have decreased significantly. However, there are keepers of traditions, there are many recipes left in folk herbalists and plenty of evidence that this drink is not just a symbol of Russia. It is also a valuable medicine that can be prepared at home.

Features of medicinal raw materials

Birch sap is pleasant, sweetish, with a specific subtle aroma. For what diagnoses is it recommended? Does it have any contraindications? When to start collecting, in what ways to prepare juice yourself?

Preparation of birch sap

Industrial collection and canning of birch sap is carried out mostly in Belarus, less so in Russia and Ukraine. This drink was especially popular during the Soviet era. The older generation remembers very well how, in an era of shortages, three-liter cans of this drink filled empty shelves. It can also be seen on modern shelves (in three-liter, one-and-a-half-liter jars and tetrapacks), but its production has noticeably decreased.

• When to collect? The collection is carried out in early spring, when the juices begin to rise from the root up the tree trunk. During a thaw, sap flow may begin earlier - in February. The sap is collected until the buds on the birch tree open, which also depends on weather and climatic conditions. It is also better to collect liquid during daylight hours, because at night the trees “sleep” and the movement of sap stops.
• How to properly collect birch sap? There are several rules that should be followed: do not use young trees; After collection, you should cover the hole or slot with wax, laundry soap or a special garden varnish, which prevents various damage and rotting of the wood. As a last resort, the hole is tightly covered with moss or a twig is stuck into it; it becomes saturated with liquid, swells and prevents it from leaking out. This forest food resource (that is how it is called in legislation) can be obtained in different ways. The first is to make an incision (notch) in the bark, insert a groove and secure it, hang a container where the juice will drain. The second is to drill a hole in the trunk to a depth of 5 cm, insert a plastic tip from the dropper system into it, and lower its other end into a container. The third is to cut off young branches and wrap them in a plastic bag, into which the liquid flows. Sometimes the sap is collected from stumps after sanitary felling of a forest area.
• Some collection "tricks". You need to start collecting in the southern parts of the grove, and as the snow melts and the weather gets warmer, move deeper into the forest. They try to make cuts on the north side of the trunk - there is more juice here. A slot or hole is made approximately 50 cm from the ground. There is no need to make a deep hole. Firstly, it is dangerous for the life of the tree. Secondly, the sap moves between the bark and the wood; it only needs to pass through the bark layer.
• How to store birch sap at home? It is better to collect raw birch and store it in glass containers. If it is collected in plastic bottles, then after filling it should be immediately poured into a glass container. Raw meat can stand in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days. It is advisable to drink it by this time; then it becomes cloudy, bubbles appear in it, and fermentation processes begin. Then you can make kvass or wine from it. For long-term storage, fresh juice is canned and frozen in small portions.

One large tree can provide up to 7 liters of valuable liquid per day, small ones - up to 3 liters. On a tree with a diameter of up to 20 cm, only one hole is allowed, with a diameter of up to 25 cm, two holes can be made, up to 35 cm - three, and over 40 cm - no more than four. Despite the fact that birch roots go deep into the ground and take nutrients from clean soil, it is better to choose birch trees in groves rather than in plantings along roads. Wood also has the ability to absorb harmful substances from the air.

Healing properties and pharmacological action

The chemical composition of birch sap includes:

• invert sugar (with equal shares of glucose and sucrose);
• organic acids;
• proteins;
• carbohydrates;
• essential oil;
• phytohormones;
• phenols;
• urea derivatives;
• saponins;
• tannins;
• group of vitamins B;
• ascorbic acid;
• rich composition of microelements (copper, potassium, sodium, manganese, magnesium, iron, silicon).

Pharmachologic effect:

• diuretic;
• secretory;
• anti-inflammatory;
• tonic;
• restorative;
• blood purifying;
• antioxidant.

People are increasingly talking about the antitumor properties of raw birch, although there is no scientific evidence for this. It can be prescribed for rehabilitation and restoration of the body after difficult procedures for oncology.

For what diseases is it indicated?

• Gastrointestinal diseases. Relieves spasms, stomach and intestinal colic, treats diseases of the stomach, liver, gall bladder, acts as a mild pain reliever, anti-inflammatory medicine. Restores microflora, appetite, digestion.
• urinary system. One of the effective folk remedies for urolithiasis. It is advisable to drink 6 glasses a day fresh. The juice helps break up kidney stones and remove them. The course of treatment is carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor; painful conditions are likely.
• Rheumatic diseases. An effective remedy for gout, joint arthritis, and atherosclerosis. Taken internally and externally.
• Respiratory system . As a general tonic with an expectorant effect, it is prescribed for inflammatory processes in the bronchi and lungs, including the treatment of tuberculosis.
• Metabolic disorders. For diabetes mellitus, blended birch sap is useful in complex treatment and with a strict diet. A medicinal drink is prepared on its basis; it contains 35% juice of raspberries, currants, blackberries, blueberries, and elderberries. It is also taken with decoctions of rosehip, lingonberry leaves, buckthorn, nettle and other medicinal herbs. We emphasize that herbal medicine for diabetes mellitus gives a positive therapeutic effect, but only under the supervision of a doctor, with a number of laboratory tests. Depending on the type of diabetes, the dosage and course of treatment are prescribed. Since the juice is low-calorie and stimulates all metabolic processes in the body, it is drunk for weight loss.
• Anemia. For anemia, it is recommended to drink 2-3 glasses of juice a day before meals.
• Vitamin deficiency. Birch sap contains half of the periodic table. It is prescribed for spring avitaminosis, weakened immunity, after serious illnesses, for the prevention of acute respiratory viral infections and influenza.
• Intoxication. The drink helps with poisoning (provides energy and reserves of lost fluid), cleanses the body of toxins, restores water-salt balance, helps reduce temperature and acts as a diaphoretic in combination with rosehip decoction and lemon juice. The drink also helps with a hangover, relieving stomach discomfort.
• External use. You can gargle with the product, rinse your nose, or drink it to disinfect the oral cavity for stomatitis, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. It is also used to wipe the skin for scabies, psoriasis, neurodermatitis, eczema, and ulcers. Helps well with non-healing wounds.

This healing drink has few contraindications: individual intolerance and allergic reaction. It is important to remember that in case of exacerbation of stomach and duodenal ulcers, as well as in the acute form of urolithiasis, self-treatment with juice can lead to an even greater exacerbation. This is why medical supervision and supervision is so important. Due to the high glucose content, birch sap can harm the body if dosed and diluted incorrectly.

Features of the preparation and use of birch sap

Despite all the harmlessness and undoubted usefulness of this forest drink, it is recommended to consult a doctor before taking it. If any side effects occur (primarily from the digestive system - diarrhea), you should stop treatment and consult a doctor.

How to use

How much juice can you drink per day?

• A glass 3 times a day is a “universal” dosage.
• Some herbalists recommend drinking diluted juice, especially if there are exacerbations and diabetes.
• For preventive purposes, you can drink for a long time, but little by little.
• The treatment course may be shorter, but with a higher dosage; in this case, a break in therapy is required.

Cooking recipes

Recipes for collecting birch sap are impressive in their variety. You can prepare pure raw material, or you can prepare from it soothing infusions with the addition of mint, fortified with black currants and rose hips. Raw birch also produces delicious kvass, wine, low-alcohol drinks, and syrup.

• Kvass. Birch sap has high fermentation properties. Therefore, kvass from birch sap is prepared without yeast. But there are also recipes for making it with yeast.
• Syrup. It is curious that today there are no more than two dozen producers of this delicacy in the world. Birch syrup is prepared according to the same principle as the famous maple syrup. To get 1 liter of product, you need to evaporate 100 liters of juice! The syrup is similar to honey in consistency and taste, but it has a woody bitterness. In Russia there is a community of lovers and connoisseurs of this product, where they also produce natural birch sap, sauce, kvass, and chaga. Here you can buy frozen raw meat.
• Wine. The production of birch wines was established in the USSR, but now this is a rarity. Raw birch produced high-quality sparkling (carbonated) wine. It can also be prepared at home using old Russian recipes.

Carbonated drink recipe

1. Pour raw birch into a three-liter jar and keep warm for 2 days.
2. Place 6 tsp in a jar. Sahara.
3. Add some raisins and lemon zest.
4. Close the lid and leave for 2 days.

The result is a pleasant carbonated drink with sourness (essentially kvass). If the fermentation process is active, you need to open the lid slightly or use a lid with a hole. To reduce fermentation processes, the drink is stored in the refrigerator.

Recipe for birch kvass with yeast

1. Heat the birch raw material to 35°C.
2. Add 15 g of yeast (per 1 liter of juice), some raisins, lemon zest.
3. Close with a tight lid.
4. Leave for 7 days.

Kvass perfectly quenches thirst and normalizes digestion.

Recipe for birch kvass without yeast

1. Pour raw birch into a three-liter jar.
2. Place pieces of dried rye bread in it.
3. For aroma, add currant and cherry leaves.
4. Cover the jar with gauze and leave for 14 days.

Malt kvass recipe

1. Pour 5 liters of raw birch into a large bottle.
2. Leave for 2 days.
3. Add 30 g of barley malt.
4. Leave for at least 10 days.

Previously, in Rus', kvass was prepared in large barrels. It was one of the most popular drinks at holiday feasts. To keep kvass for a long time, honey and oak bark were placed in barrels. Herbs were also added - thyme, caraway, linden, chamomile, lemon balm, St. John's wort. Blended low-alcohol drinks were made with the addition of rowan juice, rose hips, cherries, blueberries, and apples.

Recipe for canned birch sap

1. Take 3 liters of fresh juice.
2. Add 100 g of sugar and 1 medium lemon, cut into slices.
3. Boil over low heat in an enamel bowl for 5 minutes.
4. Pour into a sterilized jar and roll up.

You can use orange instead of lemon. A sprig of mint or lemon balm will add a pleasant taste to the juice. Previously, there was an opinion that industrial birch sap was diluted with citric acid and water. Too much of it was produced in the USSR. In fact, you can add a little lemon to the drink recipe as a preservative.

Birch sap for women and children

• Pregnancy. There is no information that juice can harm the body during pregnancy. However, consultation with a doctor should be mandatory, especially if a woman has chronic diseases of the stomach and kidneys. This low-calorie drink quenches thirst well, normalizes metabolic processes, blood pressure, and reduces attacks of nausea and vomiting during toxicosis.
• Lactation. There is an opinion that birch sap is useful during breastfeeding and stimulates lactation. There is no scientific evidence for this. However, it can be useful for a nursing mother due to its rich composition. It should be taken in reasonable portions. To begin with, it is recommended to drink 100 g of juice and observe the baby’s reaction.
• Childhood . The question arises: can children drink birch sap? Pediatricians do not recommend giving it to babies under 1 year of age in any form. After a year, you can offer canned juice, but in small portions, first in diluted form. Later, you can try introducing raw milk into your diet, also in small doses. The juice is valuable for children for its glucose, phytoncides, organic acids, unique composition of micro- and macroelements, and vitamins. Needless to say, children should be given only a high-quality, proven product, without additives.

Cosmetology

Birch sap is widely used in cosmetology due to its tonic, antiseptic, and anti-inflammatory effects. How is it used?

• Like lotion and hair mask. It strengthens roots well, eliminates dandruff and excess fat. Pure juice is rubbed into the scalp and hair. Masks are also made from it with the addition of castor oil and honey.
• For skin problems. Use undiluted juice to wipe the skin in the morning and evening for furunculosis, acne, pigment spots, and lichen.
• Ingestion. For skin diseases it is used not only externally, but also internally. Birch sap acts as a blood purifier, helps with furunculosis, pimples, acne, and eliminates the cause of the disease “from the inside.”
• Cosmetic ice. In addition to lotions and masks, cosmetic ice made from birch sap is used. To do this, it is poured into small molds, frozen, and the skin is rubbed with pieces of ice daily.

What are the main medicinal properties of birch sap? First of all, it is a mild diuretic and choleretic agent. The drink also has restorative, blood purifying, tonic, and antiseptic properties. It is used to treat skin diseases, metabolic disorders, anemia, vitamin deficiency, intoxication, and is actively used in cosmetology.

Birch sap is a liquid that flows from the trunks and branches of birch trees at the site of a break or cut in the bark. Sap flow in birches, sufficient to collect sap, begins in early spring, sometimes at the end of winter, with the first thaws and ends before the first buds bloom.

How to prepare birch sap

After collecting the sap, the cut site must be covered with garden varnish or wax to prevent further loss of sap by the tree. In the absence of special means, at least forest moss should be used to seal the leakage site, but under no circumstances should the oozing wound be left uncovered.

There is also a less traumatic way for the tree to collect birch sap. A small hole is drilled in the barrel with a screwdriver, into which a groove is inserted at a slight angle. A container for collecting juice - a bottle or bag - is attached to the free edge of the groove. In this case, damage to the trunk is minimal.

Application of birch sap

Contrary to popular belief, birch sap is collected and drunk not only in Russia. In many European countries, mainly northern ones, birch sap is collected and prepared. In Canada, birch syrup is prepared from birch sap, similar to maple syrup.

It is harvested right in the forest, evaporating freshly collected birch sap almost to a black, tar color. Birch syrup is viscous, has a characteristic birch smell and a rich, sweet taste. To obtain 1 liter of birch syrup, almost 100 liters of sap are boiled.

Birch wine is prepared from birch sap. Birch sap is left to ferment in the dark in a cool place under the influence of a special wine starter. The fermentation process occurs quickly, including due to the organic acids contained in the birch sap itself. Birch wine has a specific taste, different from traditional grape wine.

In our country, another classic Russian drink is prepared from birch sap - kvass. Sugar and yeast are added to birch sap. After the fermentation process is completed, the kvass is decanted and bottled. By the way, the first industrial technology for the production of birch kvass was developed in 1946, when the country suffered from a lack of tasty, healthy, and most importantly, affordable products. And birch trees, as you know, grow almost everywhere in Russia.

Composition of birch sap

If there can be a tasty drink with less calories than birch sap, then it is only water. The calorie content of birch sap is about 8 kilocalories per 100 grams. All nutritional value comes from carbohydrates: birch sap contains neither fats nor proteins.

Birch sap is a product that is not rich in composition. Among the vitamins, ascorbic acid predominates (up to 5 mg); there are B vitamins: B6 and B12. The content of other vitamins is insignificant. Among the minerals one can highlight iron, sodium, potassium and calcium, fluorine and phosphorus, magnesium, and there are traces of copper.

The sweet taste of the drink is given by sugars (glucose, fructose and sucrose), the content of which can reach two percent. The sourness in the juice is achieved due to the presence of organic acids - citric and malic. Birch sap contains biologically active substances, such as essential oils and phytoncides, tannins, but their content is insignificant.

The benefits of birch sap

Nevertheless, despite its poor chemical composition, it is not for nothing that birch sap is so popular both in our country and in the cuisines of countries where birch grows.

The main advantage of birch sap is its ability to perfectly quench thirst. Fresh, soft taste without any dominant notes makes this drink an ideal thirst quencher, especially in the heat.

In Soviet times, birch sap during industrial production was enriched with sugar and citric acid to emphasize the taste. Gourmets add rose hips and honey to the natural birch infusion, which makes the drink even more palatable.

Birch sap is one of the few natural juices that do not cause allergies, so it can be safely given to children, even those prone to allergic reactions, pregnant women, and the elderly.

Birch sap improves digestion due to the presence of organic acids and stimulates the production of digestive juices. But since the acid content is still low, birch sap does not irritate the gastric mucosa. Therefore, you can safely drink it even if you have gastritis and gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Birch sap is considered useful for improving the functioning of the immune system, it improves digestion and metabolism. Birch sap can be drunk if you are overweight, because its calorie content is minimal. Drinking more than a glass of birch sap per day enhances intestinal motility and fights constipation, which often accompanies an overweight person.

Birch sap removes toxins and helps cleanse the kidneys and liver of harmful substances. If a person is regularly exposed to harmful chemical compounds or radioactive substances, then drinking birch sap will speed up the removal of these substances from the body and help the kidneys and liver in their cleansing work.

Birch sap has long been used to treat respiratory diseases. Bronchitis, prolonged coughing attacks with whooping cough, bronchial asthma - birch sap helps with these conditions. Serious scientific research into the mechanism of action of birch sap on the respiratory system has not been carried out, but the fact remains: in the outback, children’s coughs due to colds in the spring are still successfully treated with birch sap.

Birch sap gently dissolves salts, helps break down and remove sand and stones from the kidneys and bladder. Anyone who has stones in the urinary tract should remember this property of birch sap. “Old” stones can begin to move under the influence of birch sap. True, to achieve this effect, you should drink birch sap regularly for a long time: at least a liter every day for a month.

The ability to break down stones and remove salts is useful for joint diseases, arthritis, arthrosis and gout. During an attack of radiculitis or rheumatism, birch sap will help relieve inflammation, reduce muscle spasms, and reduce pain.

Birch sap is useful at high temperatures. It allows you to replenish fluid losses that occur due to excessive sweating. Drinking plenty of birch sap at the onset of influenza or other respiratory diseases reduces the severity of the disease and speeds up the recovery process.

Birch sap is a mild diuretic that helps remove excess fluid from the body, reduce or completely get rid of swelling.

Birch sap is considered a general tonic that has antitumor properties. It has not been scientifically proven, but it can be assumed that in the presence of cancer, drinking birch sap can improve the condition due to the presence of biologically active substances and a mild diuretic effect.

Birch sap can be used externally. It accelerates the healing of wounds and ulcers, improves the condition after treatment of purulent wounds.

Birch sap is also used in cosmetology. You can rub it on your face as a toner. This type of care helps to cope with acne and age spots. Wash your hair with birch sap - this is an excellent remedy for strengthening hair and fighting dandruff.

Contraindications to drinking birch sap

Birch sap is an excellent drink with virtually no contraindications. It should be taken with caution only if there are stones in the kidneys or bladder to prevent the stones from moving and causing an attack. Juice can also be dangerous if it is collected and stored in violation of sanitary standards and becomes contaminated.

Berestova Svetlana
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Birch sap is a unique healing drink that is used by people to maintain and improve health. In winter, the tree accumulates many beneficial properties, which it releases along with its sap in the spring. One tree produces a sufficient amount of drink, which is enough for the growth and development of the tree itself, as well as for collection by humans.

They start collecting sap in April. To collect, several cuts are made on the tree and a glass container is placed under them. The juice is a little cloudy. The taste of the drink is quite specific, with the aroma of wood.

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Chemical composition

Birch drink contains various microelements that are beneficial to human health. The juice contains:

• iron;
• manganese;
• potassium;
• magnesium;
• sodium;
• silicon;
• aluminum;
• titanium.

This is a low-calorie product, since 100 ml of juice contains only 20 kcal. The main components are organic acids, saponins, phytoncides, tannins. The drink is rich in vitamins B, C, H, E, R. It contains easily digestible sugars that are quickly absorbed by the body and ensure optimal brain function.

Benefits and indications for use

The list of beneficial properties of a natural drink is constantly expanding. The benefits for the human body are as follows:

• high potassium content helps strengthen and normalize the functioning of the cardiovascular system;
• phosphorus improves brain activity;
• iron optimizes blood chemistry;
• manganese has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the reproductive system;
• the presence of easily digestible sugars helps restore the body after increased physical and mental stress;
• juice helps restore metabolic processes and promotes weight loss;
• saponins strengthen bone tissue and remove harmful cholesterol;
• the digestive system is activated;
• the functioning of the excretory system improves;
• Tannins remove waste and toxins from the body and heal the oral cavity.

Indications for use of the drink:

• anemia;
• reduced immunity;
• diseases of the digestive system;
• hypertension;
• diseases of the heart and blood vessels;
• upper respiratory tract diseases;
• diseases of the reproductive system;
• pathologies of the kidneys and bladder;
• hair loss.

The juice is used internally and externally. This is an excellent remedy for treating acne, eczema, and other skin diseases. Birch drink is used in folk medicine, cooking, and cosmetology.



For women

The drink is useful for women during the period of hormonal changes. The rich composition helps to cope with many problems and increases the body's resistance to various diseases. Regular consumption of natural juice helps improve the condition during menopause and alleviate symptoms.

During periods of hormonal changes, it is useful to use birch sap as a cosmetic product. If you wipe your face with it, it will retain its youth and beauty.

A face mask based on tree sap will help against age-related changes. To prepare it you will need:

• 1 tbsp. l. sour cream;
• 1 tbsp. l. honey;
• 100 ml birch sap.

All components are mixed until a homogeneous mass is obtained and applied to the face. Leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with water.



For men

The abundance of vitamins and minerals helps improve men's health. Men of reproductive age need birch sap to maintain potency. In case of excessive smoking and drinking alcohol, the drink removes accumulated harmful substances from the body and also prevents the development of intoxication.

A glass of cold birch sap, drunk on an empty stomach, will help you cope with a hangover. Elderly men need to include this product in their diet to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

For pregnant

During pregnancy, you can take birch sap only if the mother is not allergic to this product. Including juice in the diet of pregnant and lactating women helps:

• saturate the body with essential microelements;
• improve metabolism;
• prevent the development of anemia;
• reduce blood pressure;
• improve the condition of toxicosis;
• stimulate breast milk production.

Expectant mothers should drink juice in small quantities in the first half of the day, as it has a diuretic effect.

For diabetes

For diabetes mellitus, it is recommended to regularly drink natural juice, as it helps improve the general condition of the body and enhance immunity. The low sugar content supports the condition of diabetic patients, and the fructose contained in the juice reduces the body's need to produce insulin.

Before use, you should consult your doctor, since for this disease the list of permitted products is developed on an individual basis.

Contraindications

Birch sap has virtually no contraindications. People with a tendency to allergic reactions and individual intolerance to the product should not drink it.

Before use, you should consult your doctor if you have kidney problems or diabetes. Canned products and those that were collected in unfavorable places (near highways and industrial production) can cause harm to the body.

Blank

Birch trees begin to release sap in early spring. The best time to collect it is from April to May. When buds appear on the tree, the collection stops. There is no specific time frame for harvesting, since all regions have different temperature conditions.

Before harvesting, the trunk must be pierced with a tire; if the juice begins to ooze, then you can install a container for collection. This is done according to certain rules that will help not harm the tree:

• a small hole is made on the north side of the trunk at a height of half a meter from the ground;
• a groove is inserted into the hole through which the juice will fall into the container;
• Glass containers are installed below.



Juice collection

After the collection is completed, the wound must be carefully sealed with moss, wax or a special stopper. This will help save the tree from drying out and becoming infected with pathogens.

The collected juice can be stored for no more than 3 days. Quick freezing will help preserve its freshness and beneficial properties. The juice can be preserved at home. Preservation is carried out by heating the drink to 90 degrees, then pouring it into sterile jars or bottles. The drink should be stored in a cool, dark place.

I remember from childhood we had fresh birch sap at home every year. Few people were interested in the benefits and harms of birch sap; we drank it simply because it was tasty.

Today I want to talk about why this drink, which looks so similar to plain water, is so useful.

Where does birch sap come from?

This is a liquid that begins to actively circulate inside the birch during early spring. This process is called sap flow. And its purpose is to deliver all the beneficial substances accumulated by the roots since the fall to all the branches of the birch.

If you make a special hole in the bark of a birch tree in early spring, then this same liquid, which is called birch sap, begins to flow out of the tree under pressure.

Composition of birch sap

In its composition, natural birch sap is very rich in various beneficial substances. It contains tannins, organic acids, vitamins, phytoncides, saponins, and essential oils.

Composition of minerals:

• potassium
• sodium
• silicon
• nickel
• iron
• titanium
• aluminum
• calcium

It also contains up to 3 grams of carbohydrates, while fats and proteins are completely absent.

The benefits of birch sap

Thanks to such a rich chemical composition, drinking this drink is very healthy. It has been found to improve the human body's metabolism and help remove waste substances such as toxins and various carcinogens.

• liver problems
• cough and bronchitis
• presence of gastritis
• rheumatism
• radiculitis
• gout

Also, its use can crush kidney and bladder stones.

Due to the absence of aggressive allergens, such as those found in citrus fruits, birch sap can be consumed by nursing mothers and pregnant women. This will also help strengthen the immune system.

Diuretic properties are also known. Therefore, it can be used to combat swelling, especially during pregnancy.

For the same reason, the drink is used for kidney problems, kidney inflammation, and kidney failure.

However, if you have kidney stones, you need to be careful, as it can promote the movement of stones and the occurrence of renal colic.

In case of various intoxications, birch sap will help to more quickly cleanse the body and restore it, since under its influence harmful microorganisms and toxins will be removed more quickly.

It will also help cleanse the blood. Under its influence, tissues are restored due to improved blood supply.

Application in cosmetology

Externally, birch sap is used to treat skin diseases: ulcers, acne, age spots, inflammation, eczema, boils

It also fights excess oil on the skin, toning it.

Reduces hair fragility and promotes hair restoration. If you have dandruff, you can rub it into your scalp. The effect will be even greater if mixed with a decoction of burdock root. You can also read about caring for oily hair in the article ““.

Birch sap is used to care for facial skin, especially together with honey. The skin becomes smoother and healthier.

How to collect birch sap

The collection of birch sap begins in early spring, before all the snow has melted, and continues until approximately April, until the first leaves begin to appear on the birch tree.

Before extracting it, a small hole is made in the tree trunk, to a depth of about 3 centimeters, directed downward at a slight angle. A tube is inserted, for example, a plastic one, which should match the hole in diameter. The lower end of the tube is lowered into some container, such as a bottle or water bottle. It is better to make the hole at a distance of about 50 centimeters from the ground.

It is important not to harm the tree itself during collection. For extraction, trees must be selected with a diameter no thinner than 20 centimeters. It is advisable to collect no more than 2 - 3 liters from one birch tree. If you collect more, it can also harm the birch.

After completing the collection, the hole needs to be sealed with something. For example, felt, moss, earth, or even better, garden pitch.

How to preserve birch sap

You can store fresh birch sap in the refrigerator, but no more than three days. For longer storage, it must either be preserved or frozen.

Preparation of birch sap. Recipes

Canned birch sap

For long-term storage, you can make a canned drink. To do this, it needs to be heated to 80 degrees. Jars and bottles must first be sterilized and filled into them. After this, seal the jars hermetically.

Concentrate

You can also make a birch sap concentrate. To do this, you need to evaporate the liquid from it for a long time until a fourth of the total volume remains. When such a concentrate is opened for consumption, it will need to be diluted with water to restore its previous volume.

Kvass

In order to prepare kvass from birch sap you will need a minimum of effort. Pour it into a glass container and add sugar at the rate of two tablespoons for every liter. Also add 5 - 6 raisins per liter. If desired, you can also add lemon zest.

After this, the dishes are sealed with a lid and left for several days to ferment.

If you store this kvass in a cool place, it can last up to three months.

Contraindications and harm of birch sap

As such, there can be no harm from drinking this drink. However, you need to use it with caution if you have an allergic reaction to birch pollen.

Just as mentioned earlier, with urolithiasis, movement of stones can occur, and as a result, painful attacks with colic.

And, of course, in order for it to be useful, it needs to be collected in clean areas, away from roads polluted by traffic. Juice collected in contaminated areas may contain toxic substances harmful to health.

Here, in brief, is all that concerns benefits and harms. Be always healthy!

I suggest watching a short video on how to collect birch sap. In my opinion, this is the most harmless method for the tree itself.

And another useful video:

Birch juice- a transparent liquid (sap) flowing from broken and cut branches and trunks of birch under the influence of root pressure. The release of sap begins in the spring and continues until the buds open, and the collection of birch sap begins in April and continues until May.

This drink was actively and successfully consumed in the USSR in the mid-20th century, but over time, the demand for birch sap has greatly decreased, which is very unjustified. After all, it is not only a tasty natural product of nature, but also a rich source of nutrients. Freshly collected birch sap can be stored in the refrigerator for no more than two days.

Calorie content of birch sap
The calorie content of birch sap is 24 kcal per 100 grams of product.

Composition and beneficial properties of birch sap
The composition of birch sap includes fruit sugar, vitamins, tannins, enzymes, organic acids (more than 10) and phytoncides with antimicrobial properties; macro- and microelements: calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, manganese, copper; saponins, betulol, essential oils.

Fresh birch sap is considered not only a tonic and general strengthening agent that will relieve chronic fatigue, drowsiness, lethargy, but also a dietary drink.

Birch sap, due to its beneficial properties, is a remedy for many diseases (calorizer). It is used for coughs and sore throats, headaches, and joint diseases. Birch sap is one of the best remedies for improving metabolism and stomach function. It should also be drunk for diseases of the respiratory system, rheumatism, tuberculosis, gout; stones in the gall bladder and kidneys, edema, as it has a diuretic effect.

Externally, birch sap is used for furunculosis and eczema, acne and hair loss, skin pigmentation, non-healing wounds and ulcers.

And this is not the entire list of diseases that can be prevented and cured with the help of birch sap.

Birch sap contraindications
However, there are also contraindications, for example, people with stomach ulcers and urolithiasis should be careful when drinking birch sap. It is also contraindicated for those who are allergic to birch pollen.

How to collect birch sap yourself
An average of 2-3 liters of sap per day is obtained from one birch tree. A large tree can produce about 7 liters of sap per day, and sometimes more. The sap is obtained by chopping the bark of a tree or cutting small branches and attaching a plastic gutter to the cut site, flowing down which the sap fills a container or plastic bag with birch sap.

The most important thing is not to harm the tree, do everything carefully, correctly, and don’t forget to close the hole after collecting the sap. It is recommended to take no more than 2 liters of sap per day from one birch tree. It is better to choose older trees for collecting sap, because young birch trees may die as a result of these manipulations.

Birch sap in cooking
In addition to pure birch sap, infusions of mint and rose hips are also made. In ancient books there are recipes for making kvass and wines from birch sap. In one of the documentary books, writer Evgeny Permyak describes the production of wine similar to champagne from birch sap. The drink was called "Berso". In 1936, a pilot production of birch wines was organized near Sverdlovsk. In the USA, birch syrup is sometimes made from birch sap, similar to maple syrup. It is usually obtained directly from the forest, by evaporating the juice over “naked fire.”