Who would suspect how valuable the Birch tree is?
It’s sap is sweet and delicious and can be extracted similarly to maple syrup.
During Napoleon’s failed attempt to conquer Russia, his surgeon-general was so impressed with the effectiveness of Birch sap, that he called it “a universal panacea for peasants and gentry alike”.
The leaves, bark, and buds of the tree have been used to make medicine since at least as early as the middle ages.
Birch leaves contain flavonoids, saponins and tannins. In spring, young birch leaves contain especially high amounts of these valuable nutrients.
Birch Bark contains high amounts of Betulin, which gives it’s trunk it’s typical white colour. Recent studies have shown that Betulin accelerates wound healing.
Birch is used for spring tonic, joint pain, kidney stones, bladder stones, urinary tract infections (UTI’s), high cholesterol, gout, blood cleansing, arthritis, rheumatism, high blood pressure, fever, colds, herpes, acne, spots, insect repellent, eczema, psoriasis, nerve pain, muscle pain, diuretic, skin cancer and more.
Isn’t nature incredible for providing us with everything we need to survive well?
It’s not meant to be complicated to be well, nor is it meant to be expensive.