Birch sap began to be especially popular in the middle of the last century in the territory of the former USSR. Now in the post-Soviet space they talk about it much less, but this product is in great demand in the USA and European countries.

Thus, many cosmetic brands in Sweden have introduced it into their products, in Finland its beneficial properties are compared with the properties of aloe vera, and in South Korea, medicines have been developed based on it to treat the symptoms of multiple sclerosis and migraines. In addition, in the United States, birch sap has recently replaced another popular natural tonic - coconut water.

general characteristics

In fact, birch sap is an amazing substance with high biological activity. This is the name given to the liquid that flows out of cuts specially made on the trunk or branches of a birch tree under the influence of root pressure.

Nectar collection begins in early spring, in early March, and ends in mid-April, when leaves appear on the trees. On average, one tree brings 2-3 liters of healing liquid.

The natural product has a sweetish taste and a rather pleasant, very specific aroma. It is consumed both in its “natural” form, and various drinks are prepared from it, and it is also canned.

Calorie content and chemical composition

According to its chemical composition, birch sap is a substance with high biological activity. At the same time, its energy value is very low; 100 g of liquid contains only 22 kcal. The composition of nutrients in the drink is as follows: 0.1 g, 5.8 g, none.

The product contains phytoncides - natural plant antibiotics, substances with a powerful antibacterial effect. It is also rich in tannins and essential oils.

If we talk about vitamins, the nectar of the “white-skinned” tree is a storehouse, known for its ability to increase the body’s resistance to viruses and bacteria, as well as accelerate the process of tissue regeneration. In addition, vitamin C is an active participant in the synthesis of the important protein collagen, which is necessary to maintain healthy hair and skin, and also has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the pancreas. In addition, the drink contains and. The first is an active participant in the synthesis of nucleic acids, which prevent aging, help prevent skin diseases, and strengthen the nervous system. Vitamin B12, in turn, is essential for maintaining normal cell division. It takes part in energy metabolism, helps to endure mental and physical stress more easily, and prevents the development of anemia.

The mineral composition of the product is quite impressive. First of all, it contains (27.3 mg), which is necessary to normalize the heart rate, helps to equalize the water balance in the body, which helps reduce the load on the kidneys and helps avoid the occurrence of edema. In addition, potassium improves the oxygen supply to brain tissue.

For gastritis, heartburn, inflammation of the gallbladder

Take 50 ml of nectar three times a day before sitting down at the table. In case of high acidity, dilute the drink in a ratio of two to one.

Another recipe that will help cope with diseases of the digestive system: pour 120 ml of birch sap into a glass of oatmeal. Leave the mixture in a cool place overnight, and in the morning simmer in a water bath until the volume is reduced by half. Take a glass three times a day for a month.

For colds and sore throats

Drink slightly warmed juice and gargle with it. Also, when body temperature rises, you can use compresses with birch sap, applying gauze soaked in it to the elbows and forehead.

For sand and kidney stones

Take 150 ml of birch sap on an empty stomach in the morning and before going to bed in the evening. The duration of the course is three months.

For vitamin deficiency and low immunity

Mix birch sap and milk in equal quantities (half a glass each). Add 0.5 teaspoon to the mixture. Stir thoroughly and take this mixture half a glass three times a day.

Another recipe is as follows: mince three of them together with the peel and fill them with 500 ml of birch sap. Leave the mixture in a cool place for 48 hours. After this, add a teaspoon and let it brew again for two days in the cold. This remedy should be taken three times a day, a quarter of an hour before meals. The dose is 100 ml.

For caries and stomatitis

Use birch sap to rinse your mouth. It is noteworthy that, unlike the bulk of fruit juices, this drink does not have a negative effect on tooth enamel.

Use in cosmetology

Birch sap has found wide application in cosmetology. It is used as a topical treatment for a range of cosmetic problems and also helps restore healthy hair and skin.

For skin beauty

First of all, it should be noted that birch sap is effective in combating various skin imperfections. To get rid of unsightly “blackheads”, peeling and irritation, wipe your face with cotton swabs soaked in juice in the morning and evening.

A mask of 30 g of birch sap, 15 g and 10 g of honey will help moisturize dry skin. Mix all ingredients thoroughly and apply the mask to the skin. A quarter of an hour later, wash your face with water at room temperature.

A lotion prepared as follows will also help soften dry skin: bring a glass of birch sap to a boil over low heat, then add a teaspoon of liquid honey to it. Stir gently, cool and wipe your face with it three times a day.

If you notice that the skin has lost its tone and new small wrinkles have appeared, pour 10 g of dry powder into 100 ml of warm milk. Add the pre-beaten egg there, add 60 g, 30 g and pour in 12 g. Wrap the mixture and let it brew for an hour. After this, add 100 ml of slightly warmed birch sap and two tablespoons of crushed birch buds. Apply the paste to problem areas, and after half an hour, rinse with lukewarm water.

To whiten your skin and give it a truly aristocratic look, mix white and blue clay in a 1:1 ratio. Dilute the mixture with juice until it acquires the consistency of a cream. Apply the mixture to your face for twenty minutes, then rinse with birch sap. Please note that after this procedure you should not go out into the sun for two hours.

A universal mask is useful for both dry and oily skin. To prepare it, mix a tablespoon with half a tablespoon of honey, beat a raw egg into the mixture and add two tablespoons of birch nectar. The mass should be homogeneous. Apply it to previously cleansed facial skin, and after twenty minutes, rinse with water at room temperature.

An express method for restoring a fresh look to your skin: a compress of birch sap. Prepare gauze folded in half. Soak it in fresh birch sap and place it on your face. The duration of the procedure is twenty minutes. In addition, the juice of the “white-skinned” beauty makes excellent cosmetic ice, which can then be used for rubbing.

In order to refresh the skin, you can prepare a scrub from two tablespoons of celandine herb, three tablespoons of liquid honey and a tablespoon of wheat cereal. Dilute this mixture with birch sap until it acquires the consistency of a fairly thick cream. Moving along the massage lines, carefully apply the scrub and massage a little.

For hair beauty

To ensure beauty and healthy shine to your curls, rinse your hair with birch sap after each wash for fourteen days.

In order to restore freshness to oily hair, prepare a mixture of two tablespoons of birch sap, a tablespoon of honey and a teaspoon. Pour 250 ml into this mixture, and then pour it into a dark glass container, close tightly and shake thoroughly. The product should be infused in a dark place for ten days. After this, before each wash, rub the lotion into the skin, wrap your hair in a terry towel and keep this mask on for an hour and a half. After this, wash your hair using your regular shampoo. After just a few procedures, your hair will look fresher and more well-groomed.

A mask of two tablespoons of burdock oil and six tablespoons of birch sap will help stimulate hair growth. Apply it to your hair for half an hour, during which the head should be wrapped in film and a terry towel. After this, wash off the mask using regular shampoo.

Harm and contraindications

Compared to other juices, the list of contraindications for birch sap is very limited. It is approved for use by pregnant women, and you should refuse to use it only in case of individual intolerance, as well as in case of an allergic reaction to birch pollen. In addition, nutritionists recommend caution when using birch sap for people who have been diagnosed with diabetes.

It is necessary, however, to take into account one more important fact. Birch, like a sponge, absorbs all toxins from the environment. Therefore, sap should be collected only from trees located in environmentally friendly places, away from highways. Otherwise, this drink will not only not bring any benefit, but may even be hazardous to health, since it will contain heavy metals that have entered it from exhaust gases.

How to properly collect birch sap

If you decide to go “hunting” for birch sap on your own, you should consider several important factors.

You can collect sap only from trees that grow far from industrial enterprises and highways. The juice that is extracted from old trees is considered the most delicious and healthy. The thickness of the birch trunk should be at least twenty centimeters. Young birch trees have very watery sap, and in addition, they tolerate manipulations to collect sap very poorly and may die.

After you have chosen a suitable tree, drill a hole 2-3 centimeters deep on the south side at a height of about half a meter. It should slope downward, at an angle of approximately 45 degrees. Insert a piece of plastic tube into this hole, and under it place a container into which the juice will flow.

The maximum amount of liquid that one tree can produce is two liters per day. However, you shouldn’t get too carried away, because the loss of a large amount of sap can lead to the death of the tree. Therefore, it is better to collect sap from several birch trees, rather than trying to “bleed” one.

After you have finished collecting, cover the wound in the trunk with moss, plasticine or cover it with felt.

How to properly store the product

With all its undeniable advantages, birch sap has one very important drawback: it spoils very quickly. This drink will “live” in the refrigerator for no more than three days. After this, although the taste may remain the same, the beneficial properties will decline.

Another way to preserve birch sap is to freeze it. In this case, the concentration of useful substances will not change, and the shelf life of such ice preparation will be a year. You can store it in the freezer and use it as needed, defrosting the juice immediately before use.

Use in cooking

In cooking, birch nectar is used both in pure form and as a component of mixed juices. In particular, it is often mixed with decoction and infusion.

In the USA, birch sap is used to make syrup, which is prepared according to the same principle as maple syrup. From 100 liters of juice, only a liter of syrup is obtained. It is light golden in color and tastes like honey with a slight woody aroma.

In addition, birch sap is also prepared.

Preparing birch kvass with raisins

To prepare the drink you will need the following ingredients: 10 liters of birch sap, 0.5 kg and 50 berries.

Wash and dry the raisins. Strain the juice.

Add sugar to the juice, add raisins and stir until the sugar is completely dissolved. After this, cover the pan with several layers of gauze and leave it in a room with a temperature of about 22 degrees.

In three days the kvass will be ready. Strain it thoroughly again and you can bottle it.

Preserving juice with lemon

In order to prepare delicious and aromatic birch sap with lemon, you will need the following ingredients: 7 liters of juice, three sprigs of mint, half a lemon and ten tablespoons of sugar.

Strain the juice and pour into a large saucepan. Add sugar and squeeze the juice of half a lemon. Place over low heat and bring to a boil, skimming off any foam.

After the syrup boils, add mint and simmer over low heat for ten minutes.

Pour the juice into pre-sterilized jars and seal. Turn it upside down, wrap it up and leave it to cool completely. After this, you can put the jars away for storage in a cool place.

Preserving orange juice

To prepare this drink you will need 3 liters of birch sap, three tablespoons of sugar, one sweet, half a dessert spoon and a dessert spoon of dry mint leaves.

Pour the juice into an enamel pan and bring to a boil over low heat.

Sterilize a three-liter jar, add sugar, citric acid and place a peeled orange cut into slices on the bottom. Place mint leaves there.

Using a strainer, strain the hot birch sap into a jar. Roll it up and turn it upside down, then wrap it carefully. When the preservation has cooled, store it in a cool, dark place.

Project language:

Study

Target

learn how to correctly collect birch and maple sap with minimal damage to the tree

Hypothesis

When and how to properly collect birch and maple sap with minimal damage to the tree?

Equipment and materials

screwdriver;

Drill 4.5 mm;

Cocktail straws; or medical system

Glass jar or plastic bottle,

Knife for cutting a hole in a bottle

If you take a 3 liter jar, you can easily make a hole using a system (end with a needle) in the plastic lid.

Dry wood chopstick

Small hammer

Garden var

Why does the study need materials from other participants?

All children need to be taught to use the gifts of trees competently and profitably, to practically apply their acquired knowledge and share it with loved ones, relatives, and acquaintances.

Study protocol

Birch or maple sap? Chemical composition

Chemical composition of birch sap

100 grams of birch sap contains:

• Potassium – 27.3 mg
• Sodium - 1.6 mg
• Calcium - 1.3 mg
• Magnesium – 0.6 mg
• Aluminum - 0.1-0.2 mg
• Manganese – 0.1 mg
• Iron - 25 mcg
• Silicon - 10 mcg
• Titanium - 8 mcg
• Copper - 2 mcg
• Nickel - 1 mcg

vitamins - B6, B12,

a lot of aromatic and tannin substances.

Chemical composition of maple sap

Chemical elements: iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, sodium. Vitamins B, PP, E, C are present.

90% from water.

Sucrose and oligosaccharides, sugar content varies from 1% to 10% (depending on the conditions and location of the tree)

Dextrose is a monosaccharide that produces energy and is delivered by the body to all cells and systems.

Organic and polyunsaturated acids, carotenoids, lipids, aldehydes, tannins.

Essential oils, phytoncides, tannins, saponins.

But the drink does not contain proteins or fats at all.

Conclusion: birch and maple sap have different chemical compositions. And one cannot replace the other. You need to familiarize yourself with the contraindications for use.

Contraindications

harm and contraindications of maple sap

Allergy

Diabetes mellitus, since in large quantities it increases blood sugar levels;

Chronic kidney disease.

Severe diseases of the liver and gall bladder.

harm and contraindications of birch sap

Allergy to birch pollen

When treating, exclude fried, spicy, smoked foods.

contraindications: it may contain heavy metals if it was collected in an environmentally unfavorable area, in a polluted place. An allergic reaction is possible.

Benefits of juices

Birch juice

Birch sap, like other parts of the tree, has a general strengthening effect on the body, stimulates hematopoiesis and metabolism, and has a tonic effect. The juice will be useful for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract for people with low acidity of gastric juice, as well as for peptic ulcers of the stomach and duodenum, chronic gastritis, arthritis, gout, rheumatism, bronchitis, scurvy, liver diseases, kidney and bladder diseases . This drink copes well with edema of various origins, including those caused by cardiovascular diseases. Birch sap is useful for allergic manifestations, colds, sore throat, cough, pneumonia, tuberculosis, and reduces the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels. It helps with eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, furunculosis, acne, long-term non-healing wounds and trophic ulcers.

Numerous studies have shown that drinking at least one glass of birch sap per day for 2-3 weeks helps with spring weakness, vitamin deficiency, fatigue and depression, and also significantly increases the body's resistance to colds, infectious and allergic diseases.

Maple sap

strengthening the immune system; increasing resistance to viral and infectious diseases; prevention of spring vitamin deficiency; normalization of the gallbladder and liver; preventing the development of cancer; improving the functioning of the heart and cardiovascular system; elimination of dysfunctions of the genitourinary system and prevention of kidney diseases; prevention of upper respiratory tract diseases; reducing the risk of developing atherosclerosis, thrombosis, hepatitis, as well as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases; improving the activity of the thyroid gland and normalizing hormonal levels; removal of toxins and heavy metal salts from the body.

As an antibiotic, the juice acts from the inside and outside - it can be used to treat wounds, burns, and cuts on the skin.

Where and when to collect maple and birch sap

Early spring, when the temperature is still below zero, the buds on the trees have swelled, but have not yet blossomed,

It is worth noting that the juice is released more abundantly on a sunny day, and when it is frosty it stops flowing altogether.

The optimal temperature is from – 4 to +4 °C. When choosing a tree, pay attention to the buds; they should be swollen, but not blossoming - the sap of such a maple will be sweet and plentiful. It is important to remember that sap flow stops when the snow finally melts and the average daily temperature approaches 0 °C.

The extraction of maple sap is limited to several weeks.

In maples, sap flow begins a week or two earlier than in birches - it is important not to miss the moment. You can tell that time has been lost by the taste of the juice - after the buds open, it is no longer sweet, but rather unpleasant.

In birches, sap flow begins in the spring with the first thaw and continues until the buds open. It is difficult to determine the exact period of birch sap release, because it depends on weather conditions. For example, if during the March thaw the sap has already begun to flow and then frosts unexpectedly hit, then it may stop secreting for some time.
However, as a rule, the sap begins to run around mid-March, when the snow melts and the buds swell. To determine the beginning of sap flow, it is enough to go out into the forest and make an injection with a thin awl on a birch tree as thick as your hand; if the sap has flowed, then a drop of sap will immediately appear at the puncture point, you can begin collecting and harvesting it. They stop collecting sap in the second half of April, when the leaves are already blooming.

Depending on the weather conditions of the area. The collection of birch sap may begin in April and end in May,

The most intense flow of sap through the tree occurs during the light half of the day, so it is better to start collecting in the morning; at night the sap “falls asleep.” The best time to collect sap is between 10:00 and 18:00, when it flows most heavily.

The number of holes that are recommended to be made depends on the diameter of the tree; if the diameter is 20-25 cm, then only one, if the volume is 25-35 cm, then two, if the diameter is 35-40, three, and if the diameter is more than 40 cm, it is quite acceptable to make four holes.

The collection of birch sap should begin in the most sunny places, where the birch tree wakes up even if there is still snow around. As the forest warms up, you should move deeper into the thicket, to where the forest wakes up later than on the southern edge.

Choosing the right tree

We choose an adult tree with a developed crown, a trunk diameter of more than 25 centimeters (birch and 20 cm maple). After cutting down birch and maple trees, sap can be collected from the stumps.

In order not to harm birch and maple, it is better to collect sap from mature trees, but in no case from young ones. You also cannot take sap from birch trees with a trunk diameter of less than 20 centimeters. Firstly, there is not a lot of sap there, and secondly, it is deadly for a young tree.

There is no need to try to “drain” all the sap from one tree, it will compensate for some of it, but if you bleed the tree completely, it may dry out. It is better to take a liter of juice per day from 5-10 trees than to take 5 liters from one, dooming it to death

I think that from one large tree per season you can take 6 liters, maybe more, maybe less - it also depends on the tree. The main thing is not to be greedy and not to cause great losses to the tree, because this is its blood.

Take care of nature, there are many of us, but there is only one!

Two juice collection technologies

Choosing the right tree or stump. At a tree height of approximately 1 m, drill a hole with a diameter of 4 mm.

Option 1) Drill from bottom to top about 4 cm until juice flows.

Option 2) with a drill, make the entrance perpendicular to the axis of the tree, when the drill goes a little deeper, turn the screwdriver so that the drill goes tangentially under the bark (do not go deeper, since the sap goes in the surface layer between the bark and the wood), birch sap will run. Do not make the wound too deep, -6-7 cm is enough.

a) insert a cocktail tube or system into the hole, but not deep by about 5 mm. We put the can and go to another tree

B) remove the needle from the dropper and leave the cambric, the other end of the system (needle) will pierce the bottle itself

If the tree is large enough, you can make three such holes in a row (one higher, two lower) and put all three tubes into one jar. You can find out how to collect birch sap - photo below.

After the juice has been filled into the jars, the tubes need to be pulled out, and in their place, tightly hammered in choppers made of dry wood, or put moss.

Cover the top with clay or garden varnish; the juice will continue to ooze through the chops for some time until they swell.

With such extraction of birch sap and processing of holes, the wounds on the tree will heal faster. You can extract maple sap in the same way, although it comes slower.

Safety precautions

observe safety precautions when working with a screwdriver, knife, medical system

Birch sap, berezovitsa, is a drink that has a beneficial effect on the entire human body. The benefits of birch sap were noticed by our ancestors, and the secrets of treatment with birch sap are passed down from generation to generation. Birch sap has a healing composition, because birch is one of the most medicinal trees in our country. Read about the benefits of birch sap below.

In the spring, for about three weeks, the birch tree shares its “tears” with us and helps a person heal the body. The secret and popularity of birch sap is that the forces accumulated in the birch trunk over the winter are transferred to humans with birch sap.

Composition of birch sap

Birch sap contains: sugars (fructose, glucose, sucrose), organic acids, enzymes and substances with high antimicrobial activity (phytoncides). Birch sap also contains a lot of mineral elements, which the body weakened by spring hypovitaminosis needs. By drinking birch sap, we replenish the body with potassium, calcium, sodium, magnesium, iron, manganese, and copper.

Properties of birch sap

• Since birch sap contains enzymes and biological stimulants, it strengthens the immune system.
• Potassium, calcium, and magnesium contained in birch sap are necessary for normal heart function.
• Tannins from birch sap have an anti-inflammatory effect.
• Easily digestible sugars are good for brain function.

The properties of birch sap make it an indispensable aid for healing the human body and strengthening the immune system.

What are the benefits of birch sap

Spring birch sap can be considered one of the best dietary remedies. Systematic taking birch sap has a tonic effect. If you drink at least a glass of birch sap a day, you will feel more alert and energetic. Drowsiness, depression, and fatigue will disappear.

The benefits of birch sap and the fact that birch sap is a good tonic for a variety of diseases. Among other things, it has a diuretic effect and stimulates kidney function. Birch juice promotes the release of uric acid, enhances diuresis. It is useful for people with kidney and urinary tract diseases. Birch juice strengthens the strength of those who have lung diseases, arthritis or bronchitis. However, people with urolithiasis and stomach ulcers should consult a doctor before expecting benefits from drinking birch sap.

It is recommended to drink birch sap for skin problems - eczema, lichen, furunculosis. Rinse with birch sap sore throat, proven benefits birch sap in the complex treatment of headaches, coughs, and joint diseases. Birch sap inherent ability to cleanse the blood and remove toxic substances, therefore it is real benefits of birch sap in case of intoxication of the body. Also Birch juice alleviates the condition of infectious diseases.

Undoubtedly, benefits of birch sap obvious, but you should understand: this juice is not a medicine, but a good supporting agent given by nature that should be used in complex treatment.

Harm of birch sap

Birch sap can be harmful if: collected near highways, collected in the city, in a place with an unfavorable environment. Birch sap can also be harmful to those who are allergic to birch pollen!

The benefits of birch sap - folk recipes

What does birch sap treat, how to be treated with birch sap, what diseases does birch sap treat... Recipes for treatment with birch sap were collected and preserved by our ancestors. People often treated themselves with birch sap.

Anemia - treatment with birch sap
Birch sap contains a large amount of vitamins and microelements, including iron and natural sugar, so it is indicated for low hemoglobin levels.
Mix fresh birch sap in equal parts with apple, carrot or beet sap and you will get a product that effectively increases hemoglobin. Take 50 ml (this is about 1 shot glass) 15 minutes before meals 3 times a day, during the entire time of birch sap flow.

Reduced immunity - treatment with birch sap
A drink consisting of birch sap, milk (in equal proportions) and with the addition of a small amount of starch is a great way to boost immunity.

Tumors - treatment with birch sap
In the presence of various tumors, traditional medicine recommends mixing 2 parts of birch sap with 2 parts of yarrow juice, 2 parts of carrot juice, 1 part of hemlock grass juice, 1 part of St. John's wort juice and 1 part of meadowsweet grass juice. Take 1 tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach, washed down with milk, and 1 tablespoon at night, also washed down with milk.

Diseases of the digestive system - treatment with birch sap
For heartburn and gastritis with low acidity, biliary dyskinesia, exacerbation of peptic ulcers, flatulence and chronic inflammation of the pancreas, birch sap is taken as follows: 50 ml in pure form or diluted with warm boiled water in a ratio of 2:1 - drink per day.

High blood pressure - treatment with birch sap
For hypertension with high blood pressure, accompanied by swelling, heart pain, headache and dizziness, drink 1/2 glass of birch sap 2 times a day. The juice acts as a mild diuretic, removing excess moisture from the body.

Diseases of blood vessels and joints - treatment with birch sap
The diuretic function of birch sap, coupled with its anti-inflammatory effect, allows us to consider it as a good remedy for arthritis, arthrosis, gout, rheumatism, varicose veins of the legs, and trophic ulcers. In this case, the juice should be drunk 50 ml in pure form or diluted with water in a ratio of 2:1, 3 times a day, half an hour before meals. The effect of therapy will be enhanced if you drink a glass of warm milk on an empty stomach and before bedtime.

Pulmonary diseases - treatment with birch sap
For bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, birch sap is drunk as follows: 75-100 ml 2 times a day. For colds (pharyngitis, laryngitis) and sore throat, birch sap, pure or diluted with warm water, is useful to gargle on an empty stomach and after each meal. At high temperatures, birch sap can also be used as a local antipyretic - in pure form or with cold water (2:1). Gauze or cotton flaps are moistened in juice, lightly squeezed and placed on the elbows, armpits and groin areas, under the knees, wrapped around the ankles and wrists and changed as they dry until the patient’s temperature subsides.

Skin diseases - treatment with birch sap
As an external remedy, birch sap is used for eczema, neurodermatitis, psoriasis, furunculosis, acne, fungal diseases and poorly healing wounds. In these cases, birch sap is used in the form of washes, rubs, lotions, and compresses on problem areas and places. The external effect of the juice can be duplicated by taking it orally in its pure form, 75-100 ml before meals and at night.

Diseases of the genitourinary system - treatment with birch sap
For kidney diseases - chronic pyelonephritis, the presence of sand or small stones - birch sap should be drunk daily on an empty stomach, 1 glass undiluted.
In case of urolithiasis and cholelithiasis, birch sap should be taken with caution, first finding out the composition and size of the stones. Otherwise, being a strong stone-reducing agent, birch sap can drive a large stone into a narrow duct and provoke colic. However, this applies only to stones of oxalate and uric acid origin. But birch sap, on the contrary, dissolves phosphate and carbonate stones, only for this you need to drink it for at least 3 months, 1 glass on an empty stomach and an hour before bedtime.

Hair loss - treatment with birch sap
If you begin to notice that your hair has weakened and began to fall out, then rubbing a mixture of birch sap with vodka and a decoction of burdock root in equal parts into the scalp will help stop this process. Birch sap also helps fight dandruff; to do this, you need to wash your hair with birch sap.

Energy value and composition of birch sap. Useful properties and contraindications for its use. How is it collected and what can be prepared from it? Recipes for drinks and dishes.

The content of the article:

Birch sap is a drink beloved by many, which symbolizes the arrival of spring. A clear liquid (sap), which is released under root pressure, is collected from a cut in the trunk of a tree belonging to the Birch family (Betulaceae), during the period of swelling of the buds (March-April) before they bloom. Birch sap is popular in Russia, Eurasia and North America, especially in cold regions and Northern China. Since ancient times, birch was revered, respected and loved by the Slavs, and today the drink is in great demand in Russian and Ukrainian cities and villages.

Composition and calorie content of birch sap

Since ancient times, the birch tree has been considered a symbol of Rus', and birch sap has been known to us since childhood not only as a tasty gift of nature, but also as a rich source of nutrients that has a complex beneficial effect on the human body. Outwardly, it is difficult to distinguish it from ordinary water, since the juice is colorless, but its chemical composition shows full advantages over the most useful vitamin cocktails.

The calorie content of birch sap is 240 kcal per 1 liter of product, of which:

• Proteins - 1 g;
• Fats - 0 g;
• Carbohydrates - 58 g;
• Ash - 0.5 mg.

Macroelements per 1 liter:

• Potassium, K - 273 mg;
• Calcium, Ca - 13 mg;
• Silicon, Si - 0.1 mg;
• Magnesium, Mg - 6 mg;
• Sodium, Na - 16 mg;
• Phosphorus, Ph - 0.01 mg.

Microelements per 100 g:

• Aluminum, Al - 1.5 mg;
• Barium, Ba - 0.01 mg;
• Iron, Fe - 0.25 mg;
• Manganese, Mn - 1 mg;
• Copper, Cu - 0.02 mg;
• Nickel, Ni - 0.01 mg;
• Selenium, Se - 0.6 μg;
• Strontium, Sr - 0.1 mg;
• Titanium, Ti - 0.08 mg;
• Zirconium, Zr - 0.01 mg.

In addition, this drink is rich in organic acids, essential oils, phytoncides, tannins, saponins, saccharides and enzymes.

Useful properties of birch sap

Birch sap has a wonderful taste and aroma, but it is also rich in various beneficial substances, which makes it a necessary drink in the people's diet, especially during the period of its collection, i.e. It is recommended to consume it fresh as a tonic and restorative. It will relieve chronic fatigue, increased drowsiness and lethargy.

Let's take a closer look at the benefits of birch sap:

1. Boosting immunity. The presence of biological enzymes and stimulants in birch sap helps strengthen the body's immune forces. For this purpose, it is recommended to drink it with milk and the addition of starch.
2. Fighting colds and infectious diseases. Consumption of birch sap will increase the body's resistance to these diseases due to the large amount of tannins in the drink. In addition, it removes remnants of the decay products of viruses and bacteria from the body.
3. Normalization of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. This drink is an excellent stimulant for the production of gastric juice, which leads to improved digestion. It also controls acidity. Regular consumption of fresh birch sap normalizes metabolism, regulating metabolism in the body, relieves constipation, and promotes weight loss, since the drink is also a dietary product.
4. Lower blood pressure. Thanks to the diuretic effect, birch sap will become an indispensable drink for hypertensive patients. It is recommended to drink the juice on an empty stomach 1 hour before breakfast, without giving up the use of antihypertensive medications. A cocktail of birch sap, carrot and beet juice will lower blood pressure. And a glass of fresh drink will relieve swelling in people with hypertension.
5. Improved kidney and bladder function. Birch sap breaks down stones in these organs and also washes sand out of them. Relieves swelling and helps remove excess fluid from the body.
6. Treatment of respiratory diseases. Birch sap treats cough, sore throat, bronchitis and pneumonia. In addition, it will also be beneficial for tuberculosis.
7. Removing harmful substances from the body. The rich composition of birch sap accelerates the process of removing toxins. In addition, this drink has the property of purifying the blood.
8. Prevention of vitamin deficiency and scurvy. Regular consumption of fresh birch sap will help with vitamin deficiencies after the winter period, at the beginning of spring, and will also relieve fatigue and depression. This is due to the rich composition of this product.
9. Eliminate headaches. The large amount of glucose and fructose in juice makes it beneficial for brain function and also improves the body's performance. For this reason, it is recommended to drink it during heavy mental stress.
10. Strengthening the heart and blood vessels. This beneficial property is explained by the presence of calcium, potassium and magnesium in the composition. A unique mix of minerals renews vascular walls and prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques.

It is also recommended to drink birch sap for gout, pancreatitis, rheumatism, radiculitis, arthritis and varicose veins. It has a preventive effect against cancer. In addition, this drink has an anthelmintic effect and will help get rid of heartburn. Unlike fruit and berry juices, which are rich in acids, birch juice will not harm tooth enamel.

Fresh birch sap is useful for expectant mothers at all stages of pregnancy, as it can improve placental blood circulation, reduce the manifestations of toxicosis, and prevent swelling. Remember that in an “interesting situation” you can consume no more than 100–250 ml of birch sap per day.

Externally, birch sap is used for diseases such as furunculosis and eczema, ulcers, acne, pigmentation and increased dryness of the skin. It will help cope with hair loss, dandruff and non-healing wounds.

Contraindications and harm of birch sap

Despite the large list of beneficial properties, birch sap can also cause harm. We must not forget about the allergic pollen of the plant that produces such a healing drink. In addition to this, for some ailments it is not recommended to use it at all.

Who needs to avoid adding birch sap to their diet:

• People with individual intolerances or allergies. Birch pollen is what can trigger an unhealthy reaction in our body when consuming this drink. 15-20% of all cases of seasonal allergies in the northern parts of the world are associated with it.
• Suffering from urolithiasis. If you have such health problems, you should drink birch sap, especially fresh, with caution, as it can cause the movement of stones in the kidneys and organs of the genitourinary system, as well as drive sand out of them.
• Patients with gastric and duodenal ulcers. For these diseases, diet food and the same drinks are recommended, but juices are not, so this product should be taken with caution.

Important to remember! One glass of drink (150-350 ml) per day will only benefit the body, so you need to drink it in moderation. However, do not forget that only home-prepared birch sap, without various chemical additives and preservatives, has beneficial biological stimulation.

When and how to collect birch sap?

It is difficult to say exactly when the best time to collect birch sap is difficult, since it depends on weather conditions. Birch sap can flow after the March thaw, but the process will stop if frost strikes unexpectedly.

In general, “useful water” from birch begins to be collected in the spring with the melting of the sap, when the buds swell on the tree, from March to April, and sometimes until May, and stops when the leaves bloom.

To collect birch sap, you should choose trees that grow far from highways and large enterprises, otherwise the sap will contain the entire table of chemical elements and will not bring any benefit. The best choice is a birch tree with a thick trunk (the larger the diameter, the better), growing in an area where the sun shines well.

Using a drill or a brace, a hole (5-8 cm) is made on the tree trunk at a distance of 20-25 cm from the ground. Next, a prepared tube is inserted into the incision and a container is placed under it to collect the juice, which tastes like spring water. It flows best from noon to 5 p.m.

Important! The “wound” on the tree should be covered with wax, or it can be hammered in with a peg.

Recipes for drinks with birch sap

Birch sap has a pleasant aroma and excellent taste, and also contains many useful substances, but does not last long when fresh. After three days it already has a sour taste and begins to ferment. Therefore, it is important to know how to seal birch sap.

Recipes for delicious drinks:

1. Kvass from birch sap with raisins. First of all, we filter 20 liters of juice; gauze folded in several layers works well for this. After this, add 1 kg of sugar and 100 g of raisins and leave to brew for 3 days. Then we filter the kvass, bottle it and store it in a cold place.
2. Birch kvass with barley. Strain 3 liters of birch sap and place in a cool place for a couple of days. In a dry frying pan, fry 100 g of barley until golden brown. Add it to the juice and leave for 4 days. The drink is ready! It will perfectly quench your thirst in hot weather.
3. . First, pour the strained juice (5 l) into a saucepan, then add 150 g of sugar and bring to a boil, but do not boil. At the same time, cut 400 g of bread into pieces and dry in the microwave or oven. Place them in a saucepan with juice, cover with a lid and leave to steep for 2 days. The drink is ready. Pour it into bottles and cool before use.
4. Kvass from birch sap with dried fruits. We wash 150 g of dried fruits (it is best to take pears and prunes in equal quantities). Place them in a 3-liter jar and fill with 2.5 liters of birch sap. We close the container with gauze folded in several layers or with a special nylon lid with holes. Place in a warm place for 10-14 days. A warmer room means the drink will be ready faster. The finished product is bottled.
5. Kvass from birch sap with honey. Strain 5 liters of juice. In a bowl, dilute 50 g of yeast in 50 ml of warm water. Take 1 lemon and squeeze the juice out of it. Pour birch sap into a container, add lemon juice, 100 g of honey, diluted yeast and 10 g of raisins. Infuse the drink in a cool place for 2-4 days.
6. Carbonated kvass. Pour 20 liters of birch sap into a large bottle, add 0.5 liters of dried fruit, a handful of raisins and 1 glass of roasted barley (instead of cereals, you can take a crust of black bread, after drying it in the oven). Infuse this drink for 1 month in the cold.
7. Kvass from birch sap for the winter. A drink prepared according to this recipe can be stored in the cellar for the whole winter. First of all, pour the juice into the bottle. Then we put the crusts of rye bread in a linen bag and place it in a container with future kvass for 2 days. After this period, we pull it out. Add oak bark (a natural preservative), cherry leaves, various berries and dill. And we insist for another 2 weeks.
8. Drink "Berezovik". We will need 10 liters of birch sap. Pour it into a large container and place it in a cool, dark room for 3 days. Now add 60 g of rye crackers and roasted barley to taste. And we insist for 1 more day.
9. Cocktail recipe with birch sap for children. Using a mixer, mix 2 cups of birch sap, 4 tablespoons of canned fruit syrup and 100 g of ice cream. Before serving, you still need to add the same amount of ice cream to the cocktail.
10. Moonshine from birch sap. We will need 15 liters of birch sap, 3 kg of sugar, 100 g of yeast, currant and cherry leaves at our discretion and taste. Heat the juice a little, add yeast, sugar and leaves to it. We send our dishes with ingredients to a warm place for a week. After this period, we filter the mixture and now work with a moonshine still.
11. Birch wine. For this recipe, fresh juice, just collected, is suitable. Bring 30 liters to a boil, skim off the foam. Add 7.5 kg of sugar and 9 g of lemon peel. Cool, pour into a bottle and make an air seal. After 2 weeks, bottle the wine and place it in the cellar.
12. Canned birch sap. Pour 7 liters of birch sap into a saucepan, add 3 dry mint sprigs, 0.5 teaspoon of citric acid and 10 tablespoons of sugar. Before rolling up the birch sap, bring the liquid and ingredients to a boil and boil for 5 minutes, skimming off the reddish foam. Pour into sterilized jars and seal. Of course, many vitamins are destroyed, but some minerals are still preserved. In addition, this drink is very tasty and healthier than store-bought sweet water.
13. Drink "Orange Storm". Place 5 liters of birch sap on the fire, bring to a boil, remove the foam, add sugar (1-1.5 cups) and add 25 g of citric acid. At the same time, prepare the jars: sterilize them and put 3-4 orange slices in each (we will need 3 pieces). Pour the finished drink into prepared containers, seal and wrap.
14. Drink "Lemon Breeze". For this recipe we will need the following ingredients: juice, sugar and lemons (you can use citric acid). For a 3-liter jar of birch “liquid”, take 1 cup of sugar and 1/3 of a large lemon (or 1 teaspoon of citric acid). So, bring the juice to a boil and add sugar to it. Then pour it into the prepared one, i.e. sterilized jar with chopped lemon slices. We cork and wrap.

Note! Birch sap can be frozen fresh in the freezer, while all its beneficial substances are preserved.

Recipes for dishes with birch sap

3-4 days after collection, birch sap acquires a pleasant sour taste, which makes it the basis for a popular cold dish - okroshka.

What and how to cook with birch sap:

• City okroshka. We will need the following products: 300 g of boiled sausage, 3-4 cucumbers, a bunch of green onions, 4 eggs, mayonnaise and salt to taste. You need to take enough birch sap to make the dish as thick as soup. First of all, boil the eggs, cool and peel. Then we wash the onion, chop it, add salt and mix well (this will help remove the bitterness from this greenery). After this, cut the cucumbers, sausage and eggs. Add these ingredients to the onion and season with mayonnaise. Pour in juice and mix well. Our dish is ready. You can add dill or parsley. It should be eaten chilled. A piquant taste will be added by 1 tablespoon of non-dry mustard, diluted directly in the plate.
• Rural okroshka. Wash the green onions and dill and chop finely. Add a little salt and crush these ingredients using a potato masher or potato masher. Finely chop 1 cucumber and 2 boiled but peeled potatoes and add to the greens. Cut 200 g of doctor's sausage into cubes and place in a pan with already prepared products. Boil 2 eggs, separate the whites from the yolks. Grind the first component and add it to the pan. Now we make a dressing for the dish: grind the yolks with 1 teaspoon of mustard, 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise and dilute this mass with a small amount of birch sap. Place this mixture in the okroshka, mix and pour in 300 ml of juice, mix thoroughly again. You can decorate with tomato slices and dill. Serve chilled.

During the existence of the USSR, in the mid-20th century, birch sap was one of the cheapest drinks. One glass of it cost 8 kopecks. They sold it in 3-liter jars.

The largest number of “birch tears” were collected in Belarus, northern Ukraine and the middle regions of Russia. The Chernobyl accident and the collapse of the Soviet Union - these two factors influenced the decrease in the production of the drink we are considering.

There is an enterprise “Birch Sap Festival” in the Leningrad region that sells frozen product.

In Russia, 70,00 tons of fresh drink are collected every year, but the hidden potential is 875,505,000 liters. The cost of 1 liter is 50 rubles, and in Japan it will be 60 dollars!

Every year in Russia, a festival is held in the Leningrad region. There is a tasting of the product and a demonstration of the operation of a sap pipeline connecting approximately 40 trees, with a sap collection rate of 7 liters per hour. In addition, event participants and guests can observe the process of evaporation of birch syrup. In the world this product is produced in a volume of 5000 liters. To get 1 liter, 100 liters of juice are required. Hence its high cost: 1 liter costs $90.

The Belarusian cities of Molodechno and Bykhov produce fresh juice, as well as drinks with oregano, rose hips, St. John's wort and thyme.

Aseptic containers that preserve the beneficial properties of juice for a long time are the calling card of the Borisov cannery.

In the USA and Great Britain, the popular drink “coconut water” was replaced by birch sap.

How to collect birch sap - watch the video:

So, birch sap is a wonderful drink that has many useful elements necessary for our body. This is a wonderful drink that quenches thirst and is an excellent healing agent. Due to its taste and aroma, it is a component of many drinks, including alcoholic ones. The cold dish okroshka is prepared with plain or mineral water with the addition of citric acid, but it will taste better if you use birch sap. The product can be bought in the supermarket, but prepared at home will be healthier, as it does not contain harmful chemical additives.

If you have never drank birch sap, the benefits and harms of the drink are unlikely to be familiar to you, and in order not to harm your health, you need to know what color the real drink is, what its chemical composition is, why it becomes cloudy, how it is useful for men and women, including pregnant women, how to drink, are there any side effects, what contraindications exist and much more...

Birch sap - composition and properties

Surely many people have been familiar with such a drink as birch sap since childhood, the benefits and harms of which have been known for a long time. This natural drink is extracted from special cuts on a birch trunk or branches, then preserved for the winter. The juice is valued not only for its pleasant taste, but also for its beneficial properties - it is the basis for drinks such as compote, kvass and even wine.

Birch sap is used in the preparation of culinary dishes, is included in cosmetic products, and is also a popular remedy in folk medicine.

Birch sap tastes slightly sweet - this is due to the presence of sugar in its composition (at least 1.5-2%), thanks to which the drink indicated for use by patients diabetes mellitus . However, these are not all of its beneficial properties - the benefits of juice are explained, first of all, by its composition, which includes:

• Acids of organic origin;
• Essential oils;
• Tanning components;
• Complex of vitamins;
• Biologically active components;
• Mineral elements - potassium, magnesium, iron, iodine and others;
• Phytoncides.

Birch sap – pictured

An important feature of the composition of birch sap is that all components are in ideal balance, which is so necessary for the human body. Together with the drink, a person receives a rich supply of vitamins, which not only helps to cope with many diseases, but also prevent their formation.

Birch sap has an active positive effect on almost all organs and systems of the body - it is indispensable for diseases of the digestive system, genitourinary system, helps cope with women's health problems, eliminates fungi, infections and other troubles.

Birch sap - the benefits and harms of a natural drink

Which, every thrifty housewife knows, has truly healing properties, and its positive effect has a fairly wide spectrum of action. Birch sap, the properties of which have brought it well-deserved popularity, is used in the following cases:

Birch sap, the benefits and harms of which directly depend on its composition, also has several contraindications that must be taken into account when consuming it.

It is not recommended to use natural birch sap or birch sap with oranges or lemons, as well as with other flavored additives for people suffering from an allergic reaction to birch pollen, as well as allergies to citrus fruits.

Despite the positive effect of birch sap on kidney function, its use for diseases of the genitourinary system, you should check with your doctor , since the appearance of renal colic or exacerbation of the disease is possible.

Side effects of birch sap can occur in cases where this drink was collected near production facilities - it may contain heavy metals and other compounds that are dangerous to human health. In addition, when preparing a drink for the winter, do not forget to follow the basic points of how to properly collect birch sap so as not to damage the tree.

Birch sap for pregnant and nursing mothers

The consumption of birch sap by pregnant and lactating women should be given special attention, since this question still does not have a clear answer. People say that this drink is contraindicated in pregnant women, but medical representatives have a different opinion; in their opinion, the benefits of birch sap for pregnant women are obvious:

• The juice makes it easier to tolerate toxicosis;
• Normalizes blood pressure, the increase of which is caused by pregnancy;
• Helps eliminate swelling, control excess weight;
• In the last three months of pregnancy, birch sap stimulates the lactation process.

Birch sap is recommended for women during breastfeeding to improve lactation, but it is important to use it correctly - you should start with half a glass daily, gradually increasing the dosage if the child does not have an allergic reaction.

Birch sap, the benefits and harms of which are described in detail in the article, is a natural product that retains its beneficial properties both raw and canned. Prepare the product for future use and delight your family with a vitamin drink all year round.