The power of birch to care for the kidney

Along with oak, Scots pine, olive and white willow, birch is the European tree with the greatest therapeutic applications. It is a tree that grows in the high mountains and in cold regions, which forms light forests and thrives in bare and humid terrain. Its leaves vibrate at the slightest breath of air in a beautiful visual spectacle, especially in autumn, when they acquire spectacular golden tones.

In Europe we have two species: the downy birch (Betula alba or pubescens), which in our country extends mainly to the northwest, and common birch (Betula pendula), present in the Pyrenees and the Central and Betico systems.

Both are slender treeswith hanging branches and a showy white bark, marked with black patches in the common species. The leaves are triangular, more rounded and hairy in the alba species, with serrated margins. The flowers hang in catkins and the fruits are elliptical, winged.

The birch, a tree traditionally used throughout Europe

Birches are closely linked to old European traditions. They were known by “ladies of the forest”and the Central European druids used the young branches as wands to ward off evil spirits.

They have also excelled in the traditions and epics of Alaska’s first white explorersas he knew how to reflect in an incomparable way Jack London. In his masterful tale To Built a Fire (Lighting a Bonfire) explains how a lone lost explorer manages to escape certain freezing death in a frigid snowy Yukon landscape using birch bark to start the fire.

The truth is that birch has been a great healing remedy. In the middle Ages It was valued for its diuretic properties. and its ability to eliminate kidney grit, so much so that, as Pío Font Quer recounts, it was declared “nephritic tree of Europe”.

In the Scottish Highlands the sap used for liver ailments and in Scandinavia it is still common to hit arms and legs with twigs to activate circulation when taking a sauna.

How is birch sap obtained?

birch sap products usually come from Scandinavia or Canada where the tree is abundant.

The sap, a viscous and sweetish juice, is obtained drilling a hole in the bark through which a strand of cotton is inserted. can be obtained up to 5 liters per tree.

After the birch sap is harvested, the wound must be sealed and the tree must not be pierced again for at least two years.

The SAP provides carbohydrates, mineral salts and phytonutrients. It is used as a natural cleanser, to eliminate toxins, recover after intoxication or food poisoning, help eliminate kidney grit and especially in fasting cures for weight control.

The great friend of the kidney

The leaves are mainly used for medicinal purposes., but also the buds, bark, sap and ash. Contains tannins, flavonoids, potassium salts and essential oil with betulinic acid and betulinol.

As a diuretic and urinary antiseptic, is indicated in case of urinary tract infections such as cystitis and urethritis, in kidney infections and as a natural means to enhance diuresis. It is very useful against fluid retention, edema and difficulties urinating or oliguria. As purification plant, contributes to prevent and eliminate kidney stones, and stimulates the loss of toxins, uric acid and urea through urine. It’s a diuretic suitable for hypertensive people.

As an anti-inflammatory and analgesicin addition to relieving pain in renal colic, reduces inflammation and pain in gout attacks, rheumatic processes and in injuries such as hip, knee or shoulder bursitis, muscular contracturestendinitis and fibrositis.

Also helps lower fever and it is indicated in punctual febrile states and flu processes. Relieves the feeling of blockagemuscle aches associated with the flu and headache.

For his astringent power the bark extract is indicated in case of diarrhea. In external use, birch is indicated as an astringent and healing on skin wounds, eczema and boilsas well as in case of vulvovaginitis, inflammation of the cervix or cervicitis, and in lotion to stop hair loss.

How do you take birch?

In the herbalists birch is usually found in different forms:

The dry plant (leaves), for infusion, 40 g per liter, three cups daily. Its bitterness is usually softened with other plants.The bark or the buds, to apply in decoction as an astringent and febrifuge, three cups daily, on an empty stomach.The liquid extract30 drops three times a day and the syrupthree tablespoons daily.in tabletsoften combined with horsetail, grass and hawkweed, for two or three daily doses.The SAPdiluted in infusion, fruit juice or water, up to three tablespoons daily, in fasting cures and renal lithiasis.fresh leaf poultices and crushed for gout pain.The ashes of the branches and the trunk it has been used traditionally in Lapland for rheumatism, muscular pain and digestive disorders. These uses are being studied at a scientific level.

Concentrated birch extracts, due to the presence of salicylates, should be taken in moderation or avoid if taking anticoagulants or hemostatics or have had recent active bleeding. The hypertensive people medicated should consult a doctor before taking birch.

4 very useful birch infusions

Infusion to reduce uric acid: Birch leaves, lespedeza, friar’s crown, ash and star anise are combined in equal parts. Boil a tablespoon of the mixture per cup of water for a couple of minutes. Let it rest, strain and drink 2-3 cups a day on an empty stomach.Purifying tea with birch: birch, horsetail, dandelion, burdock and star anise are mixed in equal parts. Boil 40 g of the mixture per liter of water for 5 minutes, let it rest for another 10 and strain. It is drunk in small doses during the day.Tisane with grass for hypertension: Birch, grass, corn silk and horsetail are mixed in equal parts. Boil 2 minutes 4 tablespoons per liter of water. Let it rest for 8-10 minutes and strain. It is drunk throughout the day, or two cups a day, after meals.Birch infusion for contractures and rheumatic pain: birch, ash leaves, devil’s claw root, meadowsweet tops and green anise are mixed in equal parts. One tablespoon per cup of water is left to infuse for 10 minutes and filtered. Take 3 cups a day, with plenty of water. This anti-inflammatory infusion it also relieves contractures.