GF RB birch leaves. Birch: medicinal properties Empty the intestines, drink " " - a natural laxative collection of medicinal herbs

Rice. 5.31. Silver birch – Betula pendula Roth

Birch buds- gemmae betulae Birch leaves - folia betulae

Silver birch(b. Warty) - betula pendula roth (= b. Verrucosa ehrh.)

Fluffy birch- betula pubescens ehrh.

Sem. Birch-betulaceae

Silver birch(b. warty) - a deciduous tree 10-20 m high with white, easily peeling bark. In old trees, the base of the trunk is black-gray, with deep cracks.

Branches hanging, young shoots are reddish-brown, densely planted with resinous glands - warts.

Leaves alternate, petiolate, with an ovate-rhombic, triangular-ovate or oval-ovate plate, 3-6.5 cm long, 2-5.5 cm wide; the base of the plate is broadly wedge-shaped or truncated; the apex is pointed; the venation is pinnately reticulate.

Leaf edge double-toothed, with dark brown tips of the teeth.

Flowers small, dioecious (monoecious plants), collected in drooping catkins.

Fetus– winged nut (lionfish), with two membranous wings (Fig. 5.31).

Blooms in May, the fruits ripen in August - September.

Fluffy birch different from b. pendulous with shorter branches directed upwards and to the sides, soft pubescence of young shoots and oval-ovate, more leathery leaves with a rounded base.

Spreading. Silver birch has a vast Eurasian range, the eastern border of which reaches Lake Baikal. The species is common in forest and forest-steppe zones. Absent in the Far North and South. Downy birch is common in the same places as b. pendulous, but extends much further to the north.

Habitat. Birches form pure and mixed forests, birch groves, and are found in different types of forest. Silver birch grows on dry and moist soils: sandy, loamy, chernozem, rocky and gravelly. In its ecology, downy birch is close to silver birch, but is more adapted to the harsh climatic conditions of the North. It is found in damper places and extends further to the northeast.

The buds are elongated-conical, pointed or blunt, often sticky. The covering scales are arranged in a tiled manner, tightly pressed along the edges, slightly ciliated (the lower ones are shorter than the upper ones and sometimes with slightly lagging tips); the length of the buds is 3-7 mm, the width is 1.5-3 mm.

Color buds are brown, sometimes greenish at the base.

Smell balsamic, pleasant.

Taste slightly astringent, resinous.

Leaves

The leaves are whole or partially crushed, slightly leathery, rhombic or broadly ovate in shape with a serrated edge, with brown glands on the underside.

Smell weak, pleasant.

Taste bitter, resinous.

Benign leaves are green; yellowed leaves are not allowed.

Numerical indicators of raw materials

Kidneys

Essential oil not less than 0.2% humidity not more than 10% total ash not more than 4% ash insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, not more than 0.7% other parts of birch (twigs, including those separated from the buds during analysis, catkins, etc.) no more than 8% of buds that have begun to grow and slightly blossomed, no more than 2% organic impurity, no more than 1% mineral impurity, no more than 0.5%.

Leaves

Amount of phenolic compounds in terms of rutin not less than 2% humidity not more than 10% total ash not more than 7% other parts of birch (branches, parts of inflorescences) not more than 5% blackened leaves not more than 5% organic impurity not more than 1% mineral impurity not more than 1%.

When examining the kidney scales visible from the surface epidermal cells, slightly elongated, with straight, and in some places clearly thickened walls.

Stomata on the outer epidermis of anomocytic type, located in recesses.

Stomatal guard cells 2-3 times larger than epidermal ones.

Along the edge of the scales and veins there are simple unicellular hairs with brown contents and a warty surface.

In mesophyll Numerous calcium oxalate drusen are visible.

When examining the leaf primordium large ones are visible from the surface brown glands on the cloves they have the shape of a cone, on the surface of the leaf - in the form of a mushroom.

The glands consist of rounded or slightly longitudinally elongated inner cells filled with brown contents, and radially elongated transparent outer cells.

Leaves

Have diagnostic value

multicellular glands located along the leaf blade and at the tips of the denticles,
as well as large drusen of calcium oxalate along the veins.

The epidermis is slightly convoluted, the stomata are anomocytic.

Preparation. The buds are harvested in January - April before they bloom (before the covering scales at the top of the bud diverge). Collection should be carried out in forest areas intended for felling or designated for harvesting brooms, with the permission of the forestry department. The branches with buds are cut, tied into bundles (brooms) and dried, and after drying the buds are threshed.

Young leaves are collected in May–June during the birch flowering period, when they are soft, sticky, and fragrant.

Drying. Branches with buds are dried for 3-4 weeks in the open air or in a well-ventilated area. Heat drying is unacceptable to prevent the buds from germinating. The leaves are air-dried in the shade or in attics. Heat drying is allowed at a temperature of 30-35 ºС.

Standardization. Birch buds - GF XI, issue. 2, st . 41 birch leaves - VFS 42-2487-95.

Storage. In a dry, well-ventilated area on racks or shelves, packed in bags, separately from other types of raw materials. The shelf life of buds is 2 years, leaves - 3 years.

Birch buds contain

3-5.3 (8)% essential oil,
resinous substances.

Oil is a thick yellow liquid with a pleasant balsamic odor. The oil contains

bicyclic sesquiterpenoids - betulen, betulenol, betulenol acid.

Chemical composition of birch leaves

Found in leaves

0.04-0.05% essential oil,
ascorbic acid (up to 2.8%),
carotenoids,
triterpene alcohols,
coumarins (0.44%),
flavonoids (1.96%),
tannins (5-9%),
saponins (up to 3.2%).

It is obtained from birch wood Activated carbon and tar.

Chemical composition of birch tar

Tar(Pix liquida Betulae) is obtained by dry distillation of wood. The composition of tar includes:

phenol,
cresols,
dioxybenzenes,
guaiacol and other compounds of this series.

Infusions and decoctions of birch buds and leaves have

diuretic,
choleretic,
expectorant
sweatshop and
anti-inflammatory effect.

Birch bud tincture (1:5) exhibits

antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant forms of staphylococci isolated from patients with various forms of purulent infection (mastitis, furunculosis, phlegmon, abscesses, peritonitis).

In the experiment, alcohol preparations from birch leaves turned out to be active against

Giardia,
Trichomonas and
ciliates,

while isolated anthocyanins, saponins and polyphenols did not have this activity.

Antiviral activity noted in aqueous-alcoholic tincture of birch leaves.

Birch leaves also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Pharmacological properties of birch sap

Birch sap has

general strengthening,
vitamins and
enzymatic properties.

Using radiotelemetric studies in patients with peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum, it was discovered stimulating effect of birch sap on acid formation, especially pronounced when the acid-forming function of the stomach decreases.

Birch pollen can cause spring hay fever.

Pharmacological properties of birch tar

Tar has

antimicrobial,
insecticidal and

In domestic medicine, birch has been used as a medicinal product for centuries. All parts used:

Birch buds,
leaves,
Birch juice,
tar,
birch charcoal.

Application of birch buds and leaves

Birch buds and leaves are used

for edema of cardiac origin as a diuretic.

In case of functional renal failure, this type of treatment is not recommended due to possible irritation of the renal tissue by resinous substances.

Choleretic properties of leaves used for diseases of the liver and biliary tract.

In addition, they are used

for bronchitis,
tracheitis in
as a disinfectant and expectorant.

Birch preparations are used also for

hygienic and
medicinal baths.

Infusions and decoctions of birch buds and leaves used in otolaryngology and dentistry as

anti-inflammatory,
decongestant and
epithelializing agent

stomatitis,
gingivitis,
periodontal disease,
sore throat,
chronic tonsillitis,
acute respiratory diseases in the form of rinses and applications of gauze napkins moistened with infusions or decoctions.

Application of birch tar

Tar has

antimicrobial,
insecticidal and
local irritant properties.

Used in the form ointments, liniments, sulfur-tar soap for

Birch wood (activated) carbon is used at

flatulence,
colitis,
increased acidity gastric juice,
in case of poisoning with heavy metals, alkaloids,
for food intoxication.

Birch buds, raw materials. Diuretic, disinfectant.
Birch leaves, crushed raw materials. Diuretic, disinfectant.
Contains the diuretic collection “Bequorin” (birch leaves).
Birch leaf extract is included in complex medicines (“Sibektan”, “Uroflux”, “Fitolysin”).
Birch tar, a thick oily liquid for external use (a product of dry distillation of the outer part of birch bark). Disinfectant, insecticidal, local wound healing agent. Included in Wilkinson's ointment, balsamic liniment according to A.V. Vishnevsky, sulfur-tar soap, etc.

Birch (Betula)

Birch leaves contain essential oil with a pleasant balsamic odor (up to 0.8%), which includes the sesquiterpene alcohol betulol (25 - 47%) and its esters with acetic acid (30 - 40%), the bicyclic sesquiterpene lactone betulen, triterpene bicyclic alcohols, triterpenoid betulin. The leaves also contain flavone and flavonol glycosides (1.96–5.56%): hyperoside, rutin, avicularin tannins, coumarins, phenolcarboxylic acids, vitamins E, C, PP, carotenoids.

Birch buds contain essential oil (0.2–8%), consisting of the sesquiterpene alcohol betulol (25–47%) and its esters with acetic acid (30–40%), betulenic and palmitic acid, bicyclic sesquiterpene lactones of betulen, sesquiterpene β -caryophyllene and its monoxide, triterpene bicyclic alcohols α-, β- and γ-betulenols - 1.8–14%, α-betulenol acetate, betulin triterpenoid, alkaloids (0.1%), naphthalene, paraffin, yellow dye, n -pentacosane, resin (5-hydroxy-7,4-dimethoxyflavone).

Birch buds also contain flavone and flavonol glycosides (1.96–5.56%): hyperoside (0.8-1.5%), 5-hydroxy-7,4-dimethoxyflavone (0.3%), 3- Myricetin D-digalactoside (0.37%), quercitrin (0.14%), avicularin (0.57%), quercetin 3-glucuronide (0.25%), isorhamnetin, other kaempferol and apigenin derivative sterols, tannins ( 1.07–9%), bitters, coumarins (0.09–0.44%), anthocyanins, resins (betulester), butyl ester of betulorethic acid, 8–10% sugars, inositol, ascorbic acid (up to 2.8%) and nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, carotene.

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.)

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) is a deciduous tree up to 20 m high with smooth white, easily exfoliating bark. The branches are usually drooping, young shoots are red-brown, bare, covered with resinous glands - warts. The leaves are alternate, ovate-rhombic or triangular-ovate, with a wide wedge-shaped or almost truncated base, doubly sharp-toothed along the edges, bare young leaves are sticky. The flowers are collected in male and female inflorescences. The fruit is a lionfish with two membranous wings, 2-3 times the width of the fruit.

Silver birch has a wide range, covering the entire European part of Russia, except for the Far North and South, Western and partly Central Siberia, Northern Kazakhstan, Western Tien Shan and the Caucasus. In the east, the range reaches Baikal. It forms pure and mixed forests in forest and forest-steppe zones, and is especially abundant in river valleys. In the same habitats, downy birch - Betula pubescens - is common, the buds of which are also allowed for harvesting. It is distinguished by shorter, non-hanging branches. Annual shoots are without warts and covered with short small hairs.

Buds are harvested in January - March, winter and early spring before they bloom. They are collected only in forest areas intended for logging. The branches are cut, tied into bundles, and dried for 3-4 weeks in the open air or in a well-ventilated area. The buds are then threshed and cleared of impurities. Typically, 100 kg of fresh buds yield 40-45 kg of dry buds. Store in a dry, ventilated area.

Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.)

Birch buds - Gemmae Betulae. Dried buds are used as medicine. The buds have a conical shape, bare (without pubescence), covered with tiled-like, tightly pressed along the edges, slightly ciliated scales 3-7 mm long, 1.5-3 mm in diameter. The color of the buds is brown, brown, at the base there is sometimes a greenish balsamic smell, the taste, which intensifies when rubbed, is slightly astringent, resinous.

Birch buds contain up to 5% essential oil, flavonoids, vitamins, and tannins.

IN folk medicine Buds and leaves were widely used to regulate the activity of the gastrointestinal tract, for diseases of the liver and bladder, rheumatism, and gout. Birch tar, obtained from the bark, was used for rheumatism, liver diseases, in veterinary medicine - for the treatment of wounds and purulent diseases, for colic, as an anthelmintic. Birch sap is known as a general tonic and stimulant; it is used to make kvass, syrup, and vinegar.

Currently, birch buds are used in the form of decoctions as a disinfectant, diuretic, and choleretic agent, due to the content of flavonoids and essential oils. Birch tar, which is included in ointments used to treat wounds and skin diseases, is also of practical importance. Activated birch charcoal is used in tablet form as an adsorbent for poisoning, food intoxication, and flatulence.

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Rice. 5.31. Silver birch – Betula pendula Roth

Birch buds- gemmae betulae Birch leaves - folia betulae
(b. Warty) - betula pendula roth (= b. Verrucosa ehrh.)
Fluffy birch- betula pubescens ehrh.
Sem. Birch-betulaceae

(b. warty) - a deciduous tree 10-20 m high with white, easily peeling bark. In old trees, the base of the trunk is black-gray, with deep cracks.
Branches hanging, young shoots are reddish-brown, densely seated with resinous glands - warts.
Leaves alternate, petiolate, with ovate-rhombic, triangular-ovate or oval-ovate plate, 3-6.5 cm long, 2-5.5 cm wide; the base of the plate is broadly wedge-shaped or truncated, the apex is pointed; The venation is pinnately reticulate.
Leaf edge double-toothed, with dark brown tips of the teeth.
Flowers small, dioecious (monoecious plants), collected in drooping catkins.
Fetus– winged nut (lionfish), with two membranous wings (Fig. 5.31).
Blooms in May, the fruits ripen in August - September.

Fluffy birch different from b. pendulous with shorter branches directed upwards and to the sides, soft pubescence of young shoots and oval-ovate, more leathery leaves with a rounded base.

Spreading

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Medicinal raw materials

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External signs

Kidneys

Leaves

The leaves are whole or partially crushed, slightly leathery, rhombic or broadly ovate in shape with a serrated edge, with brown glands on the underside.
Smell weak, pleasant.
Taste bitter, resinous.
Benign leaves are green; yellowed leaves are not allowed.

Numerical indicators of raw materials

Kidneys

Essential oil not less than 0.2%; humidity no more than 10%; total ash no more than 4%; ash, insoluble in a 10% solution of hydrochloric acid, not more than 0.7%; other parts of birch (twigs, including those separated from buds during analysis, catkins, etc.) no more than 8%; buds that have started to grow and slightly blossomed, no more than 2%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 0.5%.

Leaves

The amount of phenolic compounds in terms of rutin is not less than 2%; humidity no more than 10%; total ash no more than 7%; other parts of birch (branches, parts of inflorescences) no more than 5%; blackened leaves no more than 5%; organic impurity no more than 1%; mineral impurity no more than 1%.

Microscopy of raw materials

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Kidneys

When examining the kidney scales visible from the surface epidermal cells, slightly elongated, with straight, and in some places clearly thickened walls.
Stomata on the outer epidermis of anomocytic type, located in recesses.
Stomatal guard cells 2-3 times larger than epidermal ones.
Along the edge of the scales and veins there are simple unicellular hairs with brown contents and a warty surface.
In mesophyll Numerous calcium oxalate drusen are visible.

When examining the leaf primordium large ones are visible from the surface brown glands; on the cloves they have the shape of a cone, on the surface of the leaf - in the form of a mushroom.
The glands consist of rounded or slightly longitudinally elongated inner cells filled with brown contents, and radially elongated transparent outer cells.

Leaves

Have diagnostic value

multicellular glands located along the leaf blade and at the tips of the denticles,
as well as large drusen of calcium oxalate along the veins.

The epidermis is slightly convoluted, the stomata are anomocytic.

Procurement and storage of raw materials

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Preparation.Kidneys harvested in January - April before they bloom (before the covering scales at the top of the bud diverge). Collection should be carried out in forest areas intended for felling or designated for harvesting brooms, with the permission of the forestry department. The branches with buds are cut, tied into bundles (brooms) and dried, and after drying the buds are threshed.

Young leaves They are collected in May - June during the flowering of birch trees, when they are soft, sticky, and fragrant.

Drying. Branches with kidneys dry for 3-4 weeks outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. Heat drying is unacceptable to prevent the buds from germinating. Leaves air dry in the shade or in attics. Heat drying is allowed at a temperature of 30-35 ºС.

Standardization.Birch buds- GF XI, issue. 2, st . 41; birch leaves— VFS 42-2487-95.

Storage. In a dry, well-ventilated area on racks or shelves, packed in bags, separately from other types of raw materials. The shelf life of buds is 2 years, leaves - 3 years.

Birch composition

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Chemical composition of birch buds

Birch buds contain

3-5.3 (8)% essential oil,
resinous substances.

Oil is a thick yellow liquid with a pleasant balsamic odor. The oil contains

bicyclic sesquiterpenoids - betulen, betulenol, betulenol acid.

Chemical composition of birch leaves

Found in leaves

0.04-0.05% essential oil,
ascorbic acid (up to 2.8%),
carotenoids,
triterpene alcohols,
coumarins (0.44%),
flavonoids (1.96%),
tannins (5-9%),
saponins (up to 3.2%).

Activated carbon and tar are obtained from birch wood.

Chemical composition of birch tar

Tar(Pix liquida Betulae) is obtained by dry distillation of wood. The composition of tar includes:

phenol,
cresols,
dioxybenzenes,
guaiacol and other compounds of this series.

Properties of birch

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Pharmacological properties of birch buds and leaves

Infusions and decoctions of birch buds and leaves have

diuretic,
choleretic,
expectorant
sweatshop and
anti-inflammatory effect.

Birch bud tincture (1:5) exhibits

antimicrobial activity against antibiotic-resistant forms of staphylococci isolated from patients with various forms of purulent infection (mastitis, furunculosis, phlegmon, abscesses, peritonitis).

In the experiment, alcohol preparations from birch leaves turned out to be active against

Giardia,
Trichomonas and
ciliates,

while isolated anthocyanins, saponins and polyphenols did not have this activity.

Antiviral activity noted in aqueous-alcoholic tincture of birch leaves.

Birch leaves also have an anti-inflammatory effect.

Pharmacological properties of birch sap

Birch sap has

general strengthening,
vitamins and
enzymatic properties.

Birch pollen can cause spring hay fever.

Pharmacological properties of birch tar

Tar has

antimicrobial,
insecticidal and

Application of birch

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In domestic medicine, birch has been used as a medicinal product for centuries. All parts used:

Birch buds,
leaves,
Birch juice,
tar,
birch charcoal.

Application of birch buds and leaves

Birch buds and leaves are used

for edema of cardiac origin as a diuretic.

In case of functional renal failure, this type of treatment is not recommended due to possible irritation of the renal tissue by resinous substances.

Choleretic properties of leaves used for diseases of the liver and biliary tract.

In addition, they are used

for bronchitis,
tracheitis in
as a disinfectant and expectorant.

Birch preparations are used also for

hygienic and
medicinal baths.

Infusions and decoctions of birch buds and leaves used in otolaryngology and dentistry as

anti-inflammatory,
decongestant and
epithelializing agent

stomatitis,
gingivitis,
periodontal disease,
sore throat,
chronic tonsillitis,
acute respiratory diseases in the form of rinses and applications of gauze napkins moistened with infusions or decoctions.

Application of birch tar

Tar has

antimicrobial,
insecticidal and
local irritant properties.

Used in the form ointments, liniments, sulfur-tar soap for

Birch wood (activated) carbon is used at

flatulence,
colitis,
increased acidity of gastric juice,
in case of poisoning with heavy metals, alkaloids,
for food intoxication.

Medicines

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Birch buds, raw materials. Diuretic, disinfectant.
Birch leaves, crushed raw materials. Diuretic, disinfectant.
Contains the diuretic collection “Bequorin” (birch leaves).
Birch leaf extract is included in complex medicines (“Sibektan”, “Uroflux”, “Fitolysin”).
Birch tar, a thick oily liquid for external use (a product of dry distillation of the outer part of birch bark). Disinfectant, insecticidal, local wound healing agent. Included in Wilkinson's ointment, balsamic liniment according to A.V. Vishnevsky, sulfur-tar soap, etc.

Flower formula

Birch flower formula: male flowers - *O2T2P0, female flowers - *O0T0P(2).

In medicine

Empty your intestines, drink "" - a natural laxative collection of medicinal herbs. Acts quickly, but gently!

Birch preparations (leaves and buds) are used for mild to moderate edema of cardiovascular and renal origin. Birch leaves are prescribed for chronic diseases kidneys, cystitis, urolithiasis, uric acid diathesis, nephrosis and nephritis; in the treatment of liver diseases, jaundice, mild forms of cholecystitis and cholecystoangiocholitis. Birch buds are prescribed for respiratory diseases: laryngitis, bronchitis, tracheitis, glossitis, tonsillitis; otitis media, acute respiratory diseases; for diseases with suppurative processes (abscesses, mastitis, peritonitis, furunculosis, phlegmon).

Infusions and decoctions of birch buds are used: in dentistry - for stomatitis, gingivitis, periodontal disease; in gynecology – for nephropathy, cervical erosions and endometritis. In dermatology, birch preparations are used for acne, neurodermatitis, eczema, dermatitis, etc.

Birch buds and leaves are included in preparations and dietary supplements.

For children

The drug is approved for use in children over 12 years of age.

In cosmetology

In cosmetology, birch preparations are used externally as agents that have anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. For cosmetic purposes, birch leaves, sap, buds and birch tar are used.

In cosmetology, bud decoctions are used to stop facial skin irritation, inflammatory processes, itching, to improve skin tone and against acne. A decoction of the leaves is used to wash the hair to strengthen and improve hair growth. Birch sap is considered useful for the treatment of eczema, lichen, various rashes and furunculosis, and is also prescribed as a means of removing age spots and removing oily skin. A decoction of birch buds is included in lipsticks and creams.

In Bulgaria, France, Austria and other countries, birch leaves and buds are widely used in cosmetology.

Classification

In nature, there are up to 120 species of birch, which belong to the birch family (lat. Betulaceae). Two types of birch are widely used in medicine:

Silver birch (warty) lat. Betula pendula Roth. (lat. B. verrucosa Ehrh.);

Downy birch Betula pubescens Ehrh.

Botanical description

Birch is a deciduous tree, up to 20 m high, with white, easily exfoliating bark. The leaves are alternate, triangular-ovate or ovate-rhombic with a wide wedge-shaped or almost truncated base, doubly sharp-toothed along the edges, young leaves are sticky. The flowers are collected in female and male earrings. Birch flower formula: male flowers - *O2T2P0, female flowers - *O0T0P(2).

U silver birch young shoots are red-brown, bare, covered with resinous glands - warts, the branches are usually drooping. Old trees have black-gray bark at the base of their trunks.

U downy birch non-hanging branches, and the bark at the base of the trunk remains white until old age. Annual shoots and leaves of birch are covered with short, small hairs; the shoots are without warts.

Spreading

Birch is widespread throughout the European part of Russia and the CIS countries (except for the Far North and South), in Western and partly Central Siberia, Northern Kazakhstan, Western Tien Shan and the Caucasus, in the east it reaches Baikal.

Regions of distribution on the map of Russia.

Procurement of raw materials

Birch buds (Gemmae Betulae), young birch leaves (Folia Betulae), sap of spring “crying” (Succus Betulae), sometimes birch bark (Cortex Betulae), birch chaga mushroom (Infusum innonotus obliquus), birch mushroom are used as medicinal raw materials. tar (Pix liquida Betulae).

Birch leaves are harvested at the beginning of flowering, in April - May, when they are fragrant and sticky. Dry outdoors under a canopy or in dryers at a temperature of 25–30°C.

The buds are harvested in early spring (January - March) during the period of their swelling, before the leaves bloom, when the scales on their tops have not yet separated. In this case, the branches are cut, tied in bunches and dried for 3-4 weeks in the open air or in a well-ventilated area. After drying, the buds are separated from the branches and cleaned of impurities on a sieve or winnower. When dried, birch buds should have a dark brown color, a pleasant smell and a bitter taste.

Chemical composition

Birch leaves contain essential oil with a pleasant balsamic odor (up to 0.8%), which includes the sesquiterpene alcohol betulol (25 - 47%) and its esters with acetic acid (30 - 40%), the bicyclic sesquiterpene lactone betulen, triterpene bicyclic alcohols, triterpenoid betulin. The leaves also contain flavone and flavonol glycosides (1.96–5.56%): hyperoside, rutin, avicularin; tannins, coumarins, phenolcarboxylic acids, vitamins E, C, PP, carotenoids.

Birch buds contain essential oil (0.2–8%), consisting of the sesquiterpene alcohol betulol (25–47%) and its esters with acetic acid (30–40%), betulenic and palmitic acid, bicyclic sesquiterpene lactones of betulen, sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene and its monoxide, triterpene bicyclic alcohols α-, β- and γ-betulenols - 1.8–14%, α-betulenol acetate, betulin triterpenoid, alkaloids (0.1%), naphthalene, paraffin, yellow dye, n-pentacosane , resins (5-hydroxy-7,4-dimethoxyflavone).

Birch buds also contain flavone and flavonol glycosides (1.96–5.56%): hyperoside (0.8-1.5%), 5-hydroxy-7,4-dimethoxyflavone (0.3%), 3- Myricetin D-digalactoside (0.37%), quercitrin (0.14%), avicularin (0.57%), quercetin 3-glucuronide (0.25%), isorhamnetin, other kaempferol and apigenin derivatives; sterols, tannins (1.07–9%), bitters, coumarins (0.09–0.44%), anthocyanins, resins (betulester), butyl ester of betulorethic acid, 8–10% sugars, inositol, ascorbic acid (up to 2.8%) and nicotinic acid, nicotinamide, carotene.

Pharmacological properties

Drugs leaves birch trees have a moderately expressed diuretic, choleretic and antispasmodic effect, have antiseptic, antifungal, wound-healing, anti-inflammatory properties. Leaf extract enhances the removal of sodium and chlorine ions from the body.

Tincture birch buds has a diuretic and anti-inflammatory effect, has antimicrobial activity against staphylococci (144 strains) resistant to antibiotics.

The diuretic effect of birch preparations is exerted by flavonoids and potassium nitrate, which enhances the effect of flavonoids.

During the treatment of heart failure with birch preparations, edema disappears in patients, shortness of breath decreases, protein excretion in the urine (albuminuria) decreases, and the general condition improves; in the treatment of liver diseases - pain, vomiting, nausea decrease or disappear, the size of the liver decreases, the secretion of urine and bile increases, and the general condition improves.

The effectiveness of treating diseases with birch preparations increases when they are taken simultaneously with other medicinal plants of similar action in the form of mixtures or complex medicinal teas.

Use in folk medicine

In Chinese medicine, birch buds are recommended as an antipyretic and diuretic for nephritis. Preparations of birch leaves as a choleretic, diuretic and diaphoretic are popular in folk medicine in Western Europe - Poland, Bulgaria, France, Austria, Germany.

In Mongolian medicine, birch leaves are used in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, pneumonia, lung abscess and pleurisy as an expectorant, as well as for diseases of the joints, muscles and vitamin deficiencies. In Tibetan medicine, birch bark is used to treat burns and purulent wounds.

Historical reference

The healing properties of birch have been known for a long time. Numerous tips on the use of birch are given in herbalists of the 16th-17th centuries.

In Rus', birch bud tincture was used to treat cholera. In folk medicine, preparations from birch leaves and buds are used for urolithiasis, edema, gout, bronchitis, tuberculosis, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and hyperacid gastritis.

Birch buds were most often used in the treatment of purulent wounds. Tinctures or decoction of the buds were an effective remedy for chronic diarrhea and helminthic infestation (roundworms and pinworms). Birch buds were used to rub gums during scurvy. Fresh birch sap and birch bud preparations were used as a general tonic to improve metabolism.

In 1834, a message appeared in the Russian Medical Newspaper about the use of birch leaves for dropsy. In 1894, its diuretic effect was established. The choleretic properties of birch leaves were established by M.K. Petrova in the laboratory of I.P. Pavlova.

Literature

1. State Pharmacopoeia of the USSR. Eleventh edition. Issue 1 (1987), issue 2 (1990).

2. State Register of Medicines. Moscow 2004.

3. Medicinal plants of the state pharmacopoeia. Pharmacognosy. (Edited by I.A. Samylina, V.A. Severtsev). – M., “AMNI”, 1999.

4. “Herbal medicine with the basics of clinical pharmacology”, ed. V.G. Kukesa. – M.: Medicine, 1999.

5. P.S. Chikov. “Medicinal plants” M.: Medicine, 2002.

6. Sokolov S.Ya., Zamotaev I.P. Handbook of medicinal plants (herbal medicine). – M.: VITA, 1993.

7. Mannfried Palov. "Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants". Ed. Ph.D. biol. Sciences I.A. Gubanova. Moscow, "Mir", 1998.

8. Turova A.D. "Medicinal plants of the USSR and their use." Moscow. "Medicine". 1974.

9. Lesiovskaya E.E., Pastushenkov L.V. "Pharmacotherapy with the basics of herbal medicine." Tutorial. – M.: GEOTAR-MED, 2003.

10. Medicinal plants: Reference manual. / N.I. Grinkevich, I.A. Balandina, V.A. Ermakova and others; Ed. N.I. Grinkevich - M.: Higher School, 1991. - 398 p.

11. Plants for us. Reference manual / Ed. G.P. Yakovleva, K.F. Blinova. – Publishing house “Educational Book”, 1996. – 654 p.

12. Medicinal plant raw materials. Pharmacognosy: Textbook. allowance / Ed. G.P. Yakovlev and K.F. Blinova. – St. Petersburg: SpetsLit, 2004. – 765 p.

13. Forest cosmetics: A reference guide / L. M. Molodozhnikova, O. S. Rozhdestvenskaya, V. F. Sotnik. – M.: Ecology, 1991. – 336 p.

14. Healthy skin and herbal remedies / Author: I. Pustyrsky, V. Prokhorov. – M. Machaon; Mn.: Book House, 200. – 192 p.

15. Nosov A. M. Medicinal plants. – M.: EKSMO-Press, 2000. – 350 p.

In adulthood, it is clearly distinguishable from other trees by its white bark. In older trees, the bark in the lower part of the trunk becomes deeply cracked and black.

Outside Russia, it is distributed throughout almost all of Europe, with the exception of the Iberian Peninsula, in North Africa, in Western and Central Asia. Of the birch species it has the largest range. In the mountains, this birch rises to a height of 2,100-2,500 m above sea level. Introduced throughout the temperate climate zone.

Meaning and Application

Easily amenable to mechanical processing. Extremely rot resistant. It is best preserved immersed in water.

The buds and leaves are used in folk and official medicine; they have a diuretic, choleretic, diaphoretic, blood purifying, bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing effect.

Spring juice is a tasty and healthy drink.
The leaves secrete phytoncides that can kill pathogens within 3 hours.

Decorative garden forms and cultivars

Form "Laciniata". Shoots and leaves.

"Youngii" form. General form.

"Dalecarlica" (or Betula pendula (L.f.) C.K.Schneid.- the so-called Dalecarlian Birch) is an extremely rare form with leaves cut to the point of openwork.
"Laciniata" - characterized by deeply cut leaves; rare in culture (often mistaken for the simpler form "Crispa", sometimes called Betula pendula var. crispa).
"Purpurea" - in this form the leaves have a deep reddish-purple hue in the spring, more bronze in the summer, bronze-green and even copper-orange in the fall. The leaf shape is normal. The shoots have a black-purple tint and retain it all summer; the bark is not as white as that of the main species.
"Trost's Dwarf" is a compact, rounded shrub up to 1.2 m tall. The light green leaves of this dwarf form, up to 5 cm long, strongly dissected into narrow linear lobes, sitting on short branches, form graceful “balls” that look no worse than the palmate maple (Acer palmatum Thunb.), with the only difference that this maple is very capricious and does not want to grow in Russia.
"Youngii" is a small tree without a main trunk with a weeping (almost umbrella-shaped) shape.
"Gracilis" is a variety with a weeping crown shape. The leaves are smaller than those of the wild form and deeply dissected.
"Fastigiata" - the crown is low, columnar, expanding upward with age. The branches start from the base of the trunk and go upward. A close variety is "Obelisk". Used for planting in small gardens.
"Tristis" - usually retains a central trunk from which branches hang, forming a very narrow crown. Leaves are dissected.

Literature

Grozdova N. B., Nekrasov V. I., Globa-Mikhailenko D. A. Trees, shrubs and vines: A reference guide. - M.: Lesn. industry, 1986. - pp. 110-111.
Lishchinskaya S. N. Ecological and biological features of silver birch ( Betula pendula Roth.) as a component of man-made forest plantations in Samara. - Author's abstract. dis. for the job application scientist step. Ph.D. biol. Sci. - Samara. - 2003. - 18 p.
Tree species of the world. In 3 volumes. T. 3. Tree species of the USSR. - M.: Lesn. industry, 1982. - pp. 54-57.
Plant life. In 6 volumes. T. 5. Part 1. Flowering plants. - 1980. - P. 320.
Skvortsov V. E. Educational atlas. Flora of Central Russia. - M.: CheRo, 2004. - P. 103.
Konovalova T.Yu., Shevyreva N.A. Ornamental trees and shrubs: Atlas-determinant. - M: ZAO "Fiton+", 2007. - P. 90. - ISBN 978-5-93457-157-4

Crown shape

Mature tree bark

Old tree bark

Male flowers

Warts

Sheet. Summer coloring

Autumn color

Wood. Cross cut

Links

Silver birch: Taxonomy on the GRIN website (English)
Silver birch on the USDA NRCS website

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

fragrant birch- karpotasis beržas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Beržinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaistinis augalas (Betula pendula), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje ir Afrikoje. Iš jo gaunama derva. atitikmenys: lot. Betula pendula engl. common birch; European... ... Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

weeping birch- karpotasis beržas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Beržinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaistinis augalas (Betula pendula), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje ir Afrikoje. Iš jo gaunama derva. atitikmenys: lot. Betula pendula engl. common birch; European... ... Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

silver birch- karpotasis beržas statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Beržinių šeimos dekoratyvinis, vaistinis augalas (Betula pendula), paplitęs Europoje, Azijoje ir Afrikoje. Iš jo gaunama derva. atitikmenys: lot. Betula pendula engl. common birch; European... ... Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

- (Betula), a genus of trees and shrubs of the birch family (Betulaceae), which also includes alder, hornbeam and hazel. About 40 species are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere from the Arctic to Texas, Southern Europe, the Himalayas and Japan. Birches are found... ... Collier's Encyclopedia

BIRCH, a genus of trees and shrubs of the birch family. Typically, 120,140 (according to other sources, 65) species are identified in the temperate and cold zones of the Northern Hemisphere and in the mountains of the subtropics. Forest-forming and decorative species. The greatest economic... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

A genus of trees and shrubs of the birch family. Typically, 120,140 (according to other sources, 65) species are identified in the temperate and cold zones of the Northern Hemisphere and in the mountains of the subtropics. Forest-forming and decorative species. The greatest economic importance... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

birch- white-legged (Kuzmin); white (Bashkin, Nekrasov, Pleshcheev); white-trunked (Aksakov); cheerfully green (Sologub); thoughtful (Balmont, Ldov, Fofanov); shaggy (Budishchev. Turgenev); curly (Corinthian); curly (Mam. Sibiryak, Nekrasov, K.R., ... ... Dictionary of epithets

Botanical characteristics of birch

Silver birch or warty birch- Betula pendula Roth (Betula verrucosa Ehrh.) - a tree from the birch family)