Our ancestors drank birch sap back in the days when the benefits of juice nobody seriously thought about it. Just tripped tuesok under the incision in the bark and prepared a delicious refreshing drink. It was believed that birch sap gives strength, gives health and stamina. From birch sap in the old brew prepared and Braga.

How to collect birch sap

In late March - early April, begins the "weeping birch": if the wound birch bark, then it begins to stand out juice. Russian people have traditionally harvested juice was early spring, drink it fresh, on-site collection, stocking up for the future, prepared from it kvass and mead.

At this time (two to three weeks) in the plant cells of roots birch begins to produce biologically active compounds, necessary for the other parts of the tree. In the form of juice, they rise up to the twigs, contribute to the maturation of the kidneys and become loose first tender leaves. This juice is collected only in the early birch tueski that made for this purpose in the villages of birch bark. In such a packaging juice longer retains its properties.

Long ago people knew that with birch at this time should be handled carefully, otherwise it can cause irreparable harm. Chose wood "middle age", with a trunk about 25 cm in circumference. On the tree makes a small incision, which is inserted in the groove and suspended tuesok. The incisions are usually made on the north side of the tree, there outflow of juice usually occurs more actively. Best of all the juice is released during the day, 12 to 6 pm.

You can get the juice from twigs. It is better to use the old, partly dried branches, sawed off the dried part. By the end of branches tied jar or bottle and collect the juice. After the juice is obtained, "wound" is necessary to cover with wax or close moss.

What good is contained in the birch sap

The most valuable thing in the birch sap - biologically active substances that stimulate the metabolism Improves metabolism and losing weight without dieting Which causes a surge of strength, energy, and increase immunity. Therefore, birch sap is traditionally drunk at the site of its receipt. An hour later - two, he loses many useful properties. It has been observed that the most useful is the sap of birch trees that grow on the edges, where the birch is well illuminated by sunlight.

In the birch sap contains up to 4% of sugars (glucose and fructose) - simple sugars of plant origin are useful because they provide a surge of energy, so the body needs, weakened long winter. A large number of macro- and micronutrients, which are involved in metabolic processes, accelerates the metabolism and strengthens the immune system Strengthening the immune system - help the immune system . The birch juice contains minerals (potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, aluminum, manganese, iron, silicon, titanium, copper, strontium, barium, nickel, zirconium, phosphorus) which are involved in metabolic processes. Enzymes, organic acids, volatile, tannins and contribute to a healthier body.

This is useful birch sap

It was the first birch sap, which appears at the end of March - beginning of April is considered the most useful, it helps to enhance metabolism, preventing the formation of atherosclerotic plaques in blood vessels and prevention of cancer. In addition, under the influence of birch sap can dissolve small stones in the urinary and biliary tract, zarubtsovyvatsya gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer.

Activation of metabolism helps to relieve headaches, irritable weakness, give cheerfulness during the day and improve sleep at night. The faster the biochemical processes that make up the metabolism, the faster the body is cleansed of metabolic products, poisons and toxins, so birch sap, of course, will benefit at all allergic, inflammatory skin diseases, anemia, diseases of the joints and in general of any chronic diseases and intoxications. Previously birch sap treated tuberculosis Tuberculosis - a full recovery is not guaranteed   light. Today, birch sap is used to treat sexual dysfunction, menopause and premenstrual syndrome.

Apply birch sap and externally - a great cosmetic, good tonic and disinfecting the skin. It is used in acne, eczema and skin aging. Birch juice wash face and head. It improves skin elasticity, removes dandruff and improves hair growth.

But these properties are characteristic only for the fresh birch juice, a few hours later, he loses a lot of its properties. Canned birch sap banks medicinal properties has virtually no - it's just a nice tasting drink containing sugar, mineral salts and trace elements.

Sweet syrup from birch sap, and special candies prepared on its basis, contribute to the prevention of caries.

As used

The best way of using birch juice - drink it directly to the place of receipt of a glass three times a day for 30-40 minutes before a meal, the juice quickly learned all the biologically active substance immediately entered the metabolic processes of the human body. It is advisable to drink the juice with at all times "weeping birch", that is for two - three weeks.

Sometimes birch juice is added pre-prepared herbal infusions - St. John's wort, mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness , Melissa and others - it gives more juice healing properties.

Juice and harvested for future use, but it is, of course, loses its fundamental properties. From it is prepared tasty brew and honey (Braga).

Birch sap - a natural remedy for healing the body.

Galina Romanenko

On the edge of the forest can be found inconspicuous grass with a pleasant smell. She likes to hide in the bushes, but it can always be found and identified by a distinctive flavor, because of which it is often used in perfumes. But it turns out, this herb is not only smells, but also has medicinal properties.

How and where to grow oregano

Oregano (forest mint Mint and its useful properties: aromatic freshness , Dushnitsa, bloshnichnik) - perennial herb of the family grubotsvetnyh height of 30 - 80 cm, with an oblique branching (often creeping) rhizome. Stems erect, quadrangular, branched, covered with soft hairs. Leaves are oblong, pointed, purple flowers with pinkish-purple hue, small, numerous, gathered in large panicles. The fruits consist of four bare brown round-ovate nuts enclosed in a cup. It blooms in July - August, the fruits ripen in August - October.

Oregano is widespread in most parts of our country. It grows between bushes, on edges, forest glades and grassy slopes in the lowland, foothill and middle areas. Cultivated as melliferous, essential oil, medicinal plant.

As a medicinal plant used aboveground part of blossoming. Harvest oregano in dry weather during flowering, cutting off the flowering tops up to 20 cm. You can not pull the whole plant by the roots, as it leads to the death of the thickets. The collected materials are dried immediately in case of delay the start of drying the raw material is easily warmed and lose nutrients.

For drying the raw material spread in a thin layer on the paper or cloth. In good weather, raw material, if it is to turn 1-2 times daily, dry week. Drying was stopped when the stems are broken when bent. The output of raw materials is about 30% of the freshly marjoram.

The chemical composition and the effects on the human body

Grass and flowers of oregano contains up to 1, 2% essential oil Essential oils and conception: can help the roses? Tannins, flavonoids and ascorbic acid. The seeds contain up to 28% fatty oil drying.

Oregano has anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, expectorant, relaxes muscles, soothing, choleretic, diuretic, diaphoretic, anthelmintic and deodorizing effect. It increases the secretion of digestive glands and motor activity of the intestine.

How fragrant oregano seasoning used in cooking. The essential oil of oregano is used in the perfume industry.

Use of Oregano in medicine

Herb oregano alone or mixed with other plants in the form of fees or teas prescribed to increase appetite, improve digestion (especially in the secretory failure of the gastrointestinal tract), inflammatory diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tract, diseases of the bowel, accompanied by constipation and bloating .

For colds, accompanied by inflammation of the bronchi and trachea, oregano is used as an expectorant. It is part of the collection of breast, and sweatshop tea gathering for gargling in the treatment of sore throats, tonsillitis and chronic inflammatory diseases of the gums. Infusion of oregano are encouraged to take as a sedative and anticonvulsant. In folk medicine, oregano is used in rheumatism and gout, as well as painful menstruation, menstrual irregularities, and as anthelmintic.

Marjoram and used externally in the form of lotions, compresses and therapeutic baths for pustular skin diseases, septic wounds, eczema and diathesis Diathesis in children - an integrated approach   children.

Oregano can not be used during pregnancy because it can cause spontaneous miscarriage Miscarriage - can you protect yourself from it? .

How to prepare medicines of Oregano

Of Oregano preparing infusions and tinctures:

• infusion of oregano pharmacy briquettes, one slice pour a glass of boiling water, to insist 15-20 minutes, strain and is taken orally in the form of heat for half a cup 3-4 times a day for half an hour before meals;
• infusion of herbs oregano reception inside: two tablespoons dried minced raw material is placed in an enamel bowl, pour a glass of hot boiled water, heated in boiling water (for water bath) for 15 minutes, cooled for 45 minutes at room temperature, filtered, the remaining raw materials squeeze the volume of the resulting infusion topped with boiled water to the original level; Take half a cup half an hour before a meal twice a day; The prepared infusion stored in a cool place no more than two days;
• alcoholate oral: tablespoon dried minced raw pour 150 ml of 70% ethanol and insist 7-10 days in a dark place at room temperature; take 30-40 drops 3-4 times a day before meals.

Drink infusions of oregano is not only useful, but also pleasant.

Galina   Romanenko