Our ancestors already appreciated the silver birch (Betula pendula). For example, the early flowering tree was seen as a harbinger of spring and served as a symbol of fertility - which is why, for example, in some countries (such as Finland or some regions of Russia) birch branches are still used to "whip" after a sauna session, i.e. to stimulate the circulation.
What do silver birch leaves look like?
Lower birch leaves are egg-shaped, up to 6 cm long, with a serrated edge and thin. They are light green in spring, darken in summer and golden yellow in autumn. Young leaves feel sticky as they secrete a resinous secretion.
Fine leaves are characteristic of silver birch
As well as its trunk, the silver birch can also be recognized by its leaves. The egg-shaped leaves, up to six centimeters long, have a toothed edge and are quite thin. Birch leaves are typically light green in spring, but darken over the summer and eventually turn golden yellow in fall. Young leaves feel slightly sticky because glands located all over the foliage secrete a resinous, slightly fragrant secretion.
Birch water and birch sap are not the same thing
The silver birch has probably been used both as food and in cosmetics for thousands of years.used in medicine. The two probably best-known products are birch sap and birch water, although these terms are often used interchangeably. However, they are by no means one and the same thing, but rather two completely different things. The sugary birch sap is the bleeding sap of the silver birch, which is usually tapped from the trunk in spring. Birch water - best known as a hair remedy - can be obtained from the leaves.
Birch leaf tea as a he alth treatment
Birch leaf tea is also said to have he alth-promoting effects. The ingredients in the leaves stimulate kidney function, which is why the infusion is traditionally used to flush the kidneys in the event of urinary tract infections and to cleanse the blood. Rinsing with birch water should also be helpful in cases of hair loss, dandruff on the scalp and skin rashes. Birch leaves contain u.a. Flavonoids, saponins, salicylic acid, tannins and vitamin C.
Prepare birch leaf tea
For a tea made from fresh leaves, collect the tender, still sticky leaves shortly after they sprout. By the way, you can also eat these in salads or on sandwiches. On the other hand, slightly firmer leaves collected in June can be dried and used all year round. Pour hot, but no longer boiling, water over the finely chopped leaves - about one to two heaped teaspoons per cup - and let the brew steep for about 10 minutes.
Tip
If the silver birch suddenly gets yellow leaves and drops them, then it is either autumn - or your tree is too dry. Birches need a lot of water and should therefore be watered occasionally, especially on hot summer days.
