Belonging to the family Betulaceae, Betula Alba (as is the scientific name of birch) is a species that is characterized by its huge size (it can reach 30 meters high) and its clear silvery bark. Birch is used for medicinal purposes both its leaves and fruit. Although the birch has a rather bitter taste has a very aromatic smell. This tree usually grows in the northern hemisphere, especially in countries which predominates in the sun for much of the year.
The chemical composition of birch includes vitamin C, tannins, mucilage, flavonoids, essential oils and various vegetables antiseptics. Different parts of the birch have different properties. The bark, for example, has a diuretic, laxative, analgesic and anti-inflammatory. The leaves, however, are disinfectant, healing, astringent, choleretic and purification. Patients with kidney or heart failure should eat this plant with caution.
For excellent diuretic, birch leaves have an important role in the natural treatments of patients with rheumatoid arthritis and gout, given that favor healthy elimination that fails to irritate the kidneys.
Recipes with birch are very easy to do. If we want to make tea just have to add one or two teaspoons of birch leaves per cup of water that we prepare. After boiling let stand for 10 minutes. Drink two to three times a day. To combat rheumatism and high cholesterol need to marinate 200 grams of birch leaves in a quart of brandy (alcoholic beverage may be another) for five days. Take a teaspoon 2 or 3 times each day. Those with arthritis, on the other hand, can do dips with a few drops of extract of birch. The leaves of birch can also be a very good conditioner for hair (from infusion of leaves of this plant).
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