Birch leaves as a medicinal raw material are used somewhat less often than, for example, birch buds, however this part of the tree also has many useful properties. Birch leaves are very easy to harvest, and you can do it throughout the summer, although the greatest benefit comes from young leaves that barely lost stickiness. Of all the varieties of this tree, four are of medical value: birch birch, birch dowel, Manchurian birch and flat-birch birch. We learn what are the medicinal properties, the main indications and contraindications of birch leaves.
Composition and medicinal properties of birch leaves
The chemical composition of birch leaves differs in variety and presence in a sufficient number of valuable components from a medical point of view, among which:
- flavonoids;
- saponins;
- phytoncides;
- essential oil;
- resinous compounds;
- tannins;
- vitamins A, C, PP;
- betuloretinic acid;
- inositol;
- hyperoside.
Due to this set of substances, birch leaves exert such an action on the human body:
- anti-inflammatory;
- diuretic;
- choleretic;
- diaphoretic;
- antiseptic;
- antioxidant;
- immunostimulating;
- soothing.
Medical application of birch leaves
Freshly harvested crushed raw materials can be used in a pure form for compresses for diseases of bones and joints, as well as various skin lesions and pathologies. Often the leaves of birch are often used as infusions, tinctures and broths, they make ointments on their basis. Many have heard about the benefits of bathing birch brooms, after the application of which there is cheerfulness, lightness, many diseases recede.
The internal reception of birch leaves, mainly as aqueous decoctions and infusions, is shown in such pathologies:
- heart failure ;
- peptic ulcer;
- stones in the gallbladder and kidneys;
- cystitis;
- gout ;
- tuberculosis;
- pneumonia;
- bronchitis;
- neurosis;
- furunculosis;
- atherosclerosis;
- feverish conditions, etc.
Contraindications to the use of birch leaves
Contraindications to the reception of decoction of birch leaves, as well as other means for internal use on the basis of this raw material, are chronic kidney diseases and acute glomerulonephritis. All who do not suffer from these pathologies, with good tolerability, birch leaves can be used, but before that it is still recommended to consult a doctor.