Birches are known for the reuse of their healing components: The sugar substitute xylitol obtained from birches is becoming increasingly popular. Birch water, birch sap or teas made from the leaves of the trees are also classics. With its buds, the birch tree provides another versatile helper in matters of he alth, vitality and beauty.
What are birch buds good for?
Birch buds can be used as a tea, oil or tincture. Birch bud tea can relieve cold symptoms, while birch bud oil has an anti-inflammatory effect and can help sore joints. A tincture made from birch buds is suitable for wound disinfection.
Recognizing the buds of the birch tree
The birch buds are up to four millimeters long. Their color appearance ranges from a matt brown to greenish tones with a shiny surface. The elongated buds taper slightly. In spring, they contain the full potential of the young birch leaf. Three dosage forms are particularly suitable for he alth purposes:
- Birch bud tea for internal use
- Pure consumption of young buds
- Oil or tincture of birch buds for external use
Harvesting birch buds correctly
The birch tree forms its first buds in spring. This also marks the beginning of the harvest time for the birch buds when they first appear at the beginning of March. It's best to pick them as early as possible, then the young buds taste best. Once they have disappeared, new shoots immediately appear. The easiest and safest way to detach the birch buds from the branch is to rotate them around their own axis.
Preparing tea from birch buds
A soothing tea made from birch buds relieves the unpleasant symptoms of colds and can reduce fever. It also stimulates sweating and thus promotes the elimination of pathogens. The infusion tastes sweet with a slightly woody note. How to prepare your birch bud tea:
- Lightly crush a teaspoon of young birch buds with a mortar - a simple fork also works.
- Put the buds loosely in a cup and pour 250 milliliters of hot water over them.
- Then cover the tea with a saucer and let it steep for at least ten minutes.
- Afterwards you can sieve the birch buds.
Make your own birch bud oil
Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, birch bud oil works excellently as a rub for painful joints. To do this, put a handful of buds in a screw-top jar and pour 200 milliliters of pure quality oil, such as almond oil, over them. Let the mixture steep at room temperature with the lid closed for four weeks. But shake it up every day. Then you can filter it and use it.
If you want to make a tincture for wound disinfection instead, replace the oil with 100 milliliters of at least 40 percent double grain.
