When the spring sun melts cold snow, birches begin to awaken from hibernation. Through the trunks to the swelling buds and small branches tends birch sap or, as it is also called, - sap. It contains a large amount of minerals, vitamins and acids, which are necessary for the growth and flowering of birch. A tree produces so much of it that the “excess” it can give to a person. Next, we consider in more detail whether there is benefit from birch sap.
Caloric and chemical composition of the product
Birch juice - It is a liquid that has a transparent color. It flows from the trunks and branches that are cracked or cut, under the influence of the pressure of the root system. Juice begins to stand out in the spring, continuing until the buds begin to blossom. And you can collect the apiary in April and right up to May.
He is rich carbohydrates, vitamins, minerals, potassium, copper, calcium and manganese. There is also a large amount of stock essential oils, fruit sugars, tannins and saponins. Due to its rich chemical composition, it has advantage over other vitamin mixtures, while externally it is similar to ordinary water.
What else is the benefit of birch sap for the body? It can rightly be considered a low-calorie drink, because it only 22 kcal per 100 g. In many foreign countries, nutritionists strongly recommend to use birch sap in your diet.
What is the use of birch sap
The benefits of birch sap for the body unconditional, because it contains enzymes which are necessary in order to strengthen the immune system. This is especially true in the spring, when the probability of catching colds is high. However, if you are still sick, then tannins that are in large quantities in birch sap will help you to cope with the cold as soon as possible.
Good neighbors for birch can be: pine, honeysuckle, viburnum, acacia, mountain ash, walnut.
Magnesium, calcium and potassium occupy not the last place in the composition of the paski, since are an important element in maintaining the heart. In case of poisoning the body, birch sap can also be helpful. It will help eliminate toxins in a short time.. Still birch sap strengthens vascular walls and heart muscle.
Did you know? In the people, birch sap is called living water, because it helps keep the body in good shape and heals many ailments.
Medicinal properties, as used in traditional medicine
The folk product is used for the treatment and prevention of a wide range of diseases:
- To improve metabolism. Due to the fact that the liquid ferments well, getting into the body, it has a positive effect on the work of the stomach.
- For the gastrointestinal tract. Sweet birch sap is beneficial for diseases of the gallbladder and inflammation of the duodenum.
- For diseases of the spine and joints, such as rheumatism, sciatica. Regular use will help to quickly get rid of ailments.
Did you know? Medical studies have shown that if you take 1-2 cups of birch sap per day for 3 weeks, it will help to cope with spring avitaminosis, weakness, fatigue and depression.
- With chronic rhinitis Birch sap should drink 1 glass every morning. When you have a cold or cough, it is recommended to warm up a little cacao and dilute it with milk, adding a small amount of starch or flour.
Cosmetic properties
Today, birch sap is increasingly found in cosmetics. Regular use of paska has a beneficial effect on your skin and hair.
In the first case, birch sap is used as a foam and tonic, its use is manifested in the fact that it cleans and refreshes the skin well. Since its shelf life is small, even in the refrigerator, it can be frozen in ice tins. Dice of frozen juice are rubbed over the face, neck, and décolleté. This procedure tones and moisturizes the skin. For tired and dull skin, you can make a mask on the basis of birch sap.
This will require blue or white clay, which can be purchased at the pharmacy. Dilute it with nectar to the consistency of thick sour cream and apply on face and neck for 20 minutes. Wash off the mask need birch sap. This procedure is carried out 2 times in 7 days. On the basis of birch sap, you can prepare a cream mask to saturate the skin with vitamins and smooth fine wrinkles. To do this, mix 50 g of wheat germ, 200 g of sea buckthorn and 2 tablespoons of birch sap.
What else can be the benefits of birch sap as a cosmetic? He is able to give hair shine and strength, for this, after washing their heads, rinse with birch sap. If the hair is greasy, prepare a lotion on the basis of an apiary. To do this, mix 1 tablespoon of honey, 2 tablespoons of juice and a teaspoon of salt. Pour the mixture into a dark glass jar, add a glass of vodka and mix very thoroughly.
Lotion should be put in a dark place for 10 days. After the expiration date, rub it into the scalp before washing and wrap the hair with a towel. After 1.5 hours, wash your hair with shampoo. It is necessary to repeat this procedure for 10 days, then take a break for the same period, and then repeat the treatment again. From nectar you can make a nourishing mask. You need to mix apricot and burdock oil in a ratio of 3: 1 and apply on hair, then wrap up with a towel and wait 20 minutes, then wash your hair with shampoo.
Plants that can also be used in traditional medicine: acacia, hellebore, fir, colostrum, yew, hazel, quince, willow, linden, mountain ash, rose.
Use birch sap for making beverages
Since the juice contains from 0.5 to 2% sugar, it can be used both independently and for preparing beverages for every taste, for example, kvass, syrup, multivitamin juice or tincture.
Birch kvass
Birch kvass - This is a delicious tonic drink. The benefits of birch kvass for the body tested by time, regular use favorably affects the person. For the preparation of kvass is not recommended to use plastic containers, glass jars are best suited. In 1968, a method was developed for making kvass from birch sap. Yeast, lactic acid bacteria and sugar were added to it.
After the fermentation has begun, the brew should be cooled to 6 ° C, sweetened, bottled and corked. Keep it in a cool, dark place. If you use birch sap with roasted barley for making kvass, you can get a rather original drink.
Important! If the barley fry until dark in color, then the kvass will have a bitter taste.
Preparation of tincture on birch sap
If you make a tincture of birch sap, then it will have a peculiar smell and taste. Today there are a large number of recipes for its preparation. Preparing a tincture with propolis, you will appreciate it, because it is no wonder that it is the most popular. It is prepared very simply: you will need birch sap, propolis and vodka. Grinding the propolis, pour it with vodka and insist for three days, shaking as often as possible. Next, dilute the tincture with birch sap.
Multivitamin birch juice
Multivitamin birch juice is a great drink, and it doesn't take much effort to make it. Since birch sap is sweet in taste, it goes well with fresh citrus fruits, such as orange or lemon.
Fruits can be simply cut and added to birch sap. In order to extend the shelf life of the juice, it can be preserved, but heat treatment is indispensable. At the same time, canned birch sap loses some of its beneficial properties, and its use, respectively, decreases, but it will not cause harm to such an organism. Preservation should be stored in a dark, cool place.
Birch syrup
Birch syrup can also be made from sap, as it will taste like maple. To prepare the collected birch sap should be evaporated to a dark color. It turns out the syrup with birch smell and rich sweet taste.
Important! To get 1 liter of syrup, you need almost 100 liters of birch sap.
Harm and contraindications
With all its beneficial properties, birch sap can cause harm to the body, and therefore has some contraindications. If you are allergic to birch pollen, then you can not use the juice, because the body's response can be immediate. Urolithiasis is also a contraindication. Regular consumption of juice contributes to frequent urination, which leads to the movement of stones in the bladder, and you will feel strong painful sensations. If birch sap was stored or collected in violation of sanitary norms, then it is not recommended to drink it.
