Slender white birches are not only one ofthe most beloved trees in Rus', sung by poets and musicians. Birch sap, the benefits of which have long been proven, is irreplaceable in many situations. Doctors say that the properties of this natural product can protect against depression, vitamin deficiency and persistent fatigue. So what is birch sap good for? It strengthens the immune system, thus increasing the body's resistance to the effects of various infections and viruses. In addition, it has antitumor and diuretic properties, has an anthelmintic effect, cleanses the blood, activates metabolic processes, breaks down kidney and liver stones. It is incredibly useful for people suffering from various gastrointestinal diseases, joint diseases, tuberculosis. In a word, this product is a panacea for many troubles. It can only harm those people who are allergic to birch pollen. The rest can enjoy this valuable gift of nature as much as their heart desires. Its healing properties are explained by the fact that birch sap has the following composition: iron, glucose, fructose, potassium, tannins. In addition, it includes minerals, phytoncides and calcium. In general, birch sap contains components that simply cannot harm the body. Our ancestors knew well how to collect birch sap and how to prepare it for future use so that all the beneficial properties were preserved. They could take it in almost unlimited quantities, without harming the tree. Today, the situation has changed somewhat: a special permit is required to collect sap in volumes exceeding fifty liters. In addition, it should be collected only in those forests whose ecology leaves no doubt. You cannot take sap from birches growing near highways and railways - it can harm human health.
When they collect birch sap
Juice collection begins during the period of bud swelling.This process usually takes place in mid-March. It ends in mid-April, after the leaves appear on the trees. Birches with a trunk diameter of at least 20 centimeters are best suited for collecting sap. A small, shallow hole is made in the trunk, under which a groove made of birch bark or some other material is attached. A vessel is placed under the groove, into which the sap will flow. It is best to collect sap from 12 noon to 6 p.m. - during this period of time it flows especially strongly. You should not make many holes in the trees to collect sap, so as not to cause irreparable harm to them. Even in old birches with a trunk diameter of more than 40 centimeters, there should be no more than four such holes. A tree that has lost part of its vitality can get sick and die. To prevent this from happening, after collecting the sap, you need to carefully cover the hole in the birch with wax, moss, or close it with a cork.
Storage of birch sap
Birch sap is stored in a cool place, notmore than two days. Then it begins to cloud and sour, all its properties evaporate - it becomes unfit for consumption. Of course, there are many ways to protect such a valuable product from spoilage, while preserving all its beneficial properties as much as possible. Let's look at several storage recipes. Kvass from birch sap The sap is heated to 35ºС, yeast, sugar or honey, raisins and lemon zest are added to it. Then the container with this mixture is tightly closed and left to ferment for one or two weeks. After this period, you get a very tasty drink that has retained all the beneficial properties of birch sap. You can make kvass in another way. Pour the juice into an oak barrel and lower a bag of rye crackers, tied to a rope, into it. Leave the barrel for a couple of days, after which the juice will begin to ferment. After which cherry leaves, dill stems and oak bark are added. The kvass will be ready in two weeks. The drink "Birch boletus" It is prepared in several ways. One of them is to pour vodka and port wine into a keg of kvass and add sugar and raisins. The contents of the keg are thoroughly mixed, after which the keg is tightly sealed and placed in a cold place for two and a half months. Then the drink is poured into bottles, which are tightly sealed and stored in a cool place, placed on their sides. Another method of making birch boletus differs from the first only in that lemon pulp without seeds is added to the juice. Another method of obtaining birch boletus is to pour the juice into a basin and add sugar to it, then mix everything and put it on the fire. The mixture is boiled until two thirds of the original volume of liquid remains in the basin. After this, the basin is removed from the heat and its contents are poured into a barrel, straining through cheesecloth. The juice is allowed to cool to a temperature of 40ºС and vodka and yeast solution are poured into it. Then lemon slices without seeds are added to the juice and the barrel is left in a warm place for 10-12 hours. After this period of time, the barrel is taken out into the cold, where it should stand for another seven weeks. After which the juice is strained again and poured into bottles. The bottles are closed and stored in a cool place. Several recipes for preparing juice for future use
- Of the juice can be made birch water, ifpour it fresh in bottles, in each of which put sugar, raisins and lemon zest. The bottles should be closed and left in a cold place for two to three months. Before consumption, sugar can be added to the juice;
- Birch juice is suitable for cooking from itvinegar. To do this, add the honey and vodka to the juice, poured into the barrel and put an open barrel in a warm place. In two months the vinegar will be ready. The properties that this product has is also useful for the human body;
- From fresh birch sap, if you put a lot of sugar in it and evaporate on fire to the density of sour cream, you can prepare a tasty and healthy birch syrup;
- Birch juice can be insisted on dried fruits and herbs, add juice of berries and other;
- The easiest way to prepare juice for future use is to add a little sugar and citric acid to it, pour into cans, pasteurize and screw it down.
Birch juice for your beauty
Birch sap has a wide range of applications. It has an extremely beneficial effect on the skin, and wonderful hair and face masks are made from it.
- One tablespoon of sour cream is mixed with two tablespoons of birch juice and one teaspoon of honey. The mask is applied for fifteen minutes, then rinsed off with cold water;
- Problem skin can be cleansed by simply rubbing it with birch sap;
- The hair, rinsed in the birch sap, is cured of dandruff and acquires a healthy sheen and silkiness;
- The juice is very useful during pregnancy.It is especially recommended for expectant mothers with high blood pressure. To normalize this pressure, you need to drink a glass of the drink a day - it will not cause harm, but will be quite beneficial.
Surely from this article you understood whatbirch sap is useful, and you will try to get a lot of good from its use. First of all, it is a miracle remedy given to us by nature itself, and few people refuse such gifts. Just remember, when collecting sap, treat the birches as carefully as possible, do not harm them. After all, by preserving trees, we gain the opportunity for a long and healthy life. We recommend reading:
