The birch retains its slender trunk even as it ages. A large yield of wood is not to be expected. But this tree is by no means useless. The graceful beauty of a birch tree alone is worth every planting. But the tree can also give us tangible gifts.
What can birch be used for?
Birch wood makes goodfirewood, is also sometimes used in furniture production. Birch buds and young leaves areedibleThe sweetener xylitol and birch sap can be obtained from birch trees. Valuable ingredients of birch are part ofbody care productsand variousremedies
How is birch used in the kitchen?
Xylitol, the he althysugar alternative, andbirch sapare now missing from every well-stocked supermarket. Birch wine, birch mead and birch liqueur are still rarities in this country. The dried, finely ground leaves are added to dishes toseasoning and to reduce the amount of s alt. Birch buds and freshly sprouted, still light green leaves can be eaten raw or used as an ingredient in salads, sauces, pasta and rice dishes as well as desserts.
How do I use birch as a medicinal and care plant?
A simple way, accessible to everyone, is to use fresh or dried leaves or buds formaking tea. Birch tea has a draining and purifying effect and makes you feel better in spring. Other possible uses are:
- EnvelopesorFull baths with birch leaf extracts
- for rheumatism, gout and cellulitis
- Leaves and bark asBath additive
- depending on the preparation, pain-relieving, skin-tightening or detoxifying
- asHair conditioner
Many healing and care products containing birch are available commercially and are therefore accessible to everyone.
How is the birch wood used?
The trunk and branches of a felled birch (Betula) produce wonderfulfirewoodwith a high calorific value after drying. Birch wood can also be usedfor wood turningand forcarvings. Stained dark brown, the yellowish wood is said to be a good substitute for walnut and mahogany. Here in Germany, birch, whether silver birch or downy birch, does not play as big a role inwood processing as it does in Finland or Russia.
Tip
Get fresh birch sap yourself
If you have a larger birch tree in your garden, it can serve as a source of sap. You can get the delicious water by drilling a hole in the trunk and tapping into the birch tree. Find out beforehand about the exact process so as not to cause any damage to the tree.
