Every spring, many hunters for a few days go to the forest to devote myself to my hobby. But, once in the spring forest, even experienced hunters can not ignore the white-trunked tree — the birch. Once even in a small birch grove, the person involuntarily stops and thinks about the beauty of nature surrounding us. Spring in a birch forest is a lot of positive emotions and charges energy.
Any tree was perceived by our ancestors as being alive, powerful, able to fulfill the desires. Pure-white color of the birch bark adds organic dye betulin. It is curious that the bark is composed of cells, so closely soldered together that they form a solid, almost cork layer that is impervious to water and gases.
Spring hunting coincides precisely with the collection of birch SAP, which is perfectly suited to the hunting table. His collection starts with the first thawed patches and swollen buds, and end when blossom leaves.
The juice can be collected in several ways. The most common — triangle trimmed the bark, and under it, to a tree, binds the Bank. However, this method harms the tree. Repaired after gathering the cut, the tree will “bleed” all the time, and if it is small, may even die. It is better to drill a small hole and insert in it or a tube, or a piece of rope, which the Bank will drain your juice. Then the hole can close up with clay or plug the wand, and the tree will heal quickly. You can also cut the thin thread, put her in a plastic bottle. The bottle fell, it should be tied to a branch. The juice will drain right into the container.
Birch juice contains many useful substances, it is rich in various sugars, organic acids, enzymes, tannic substances, salts of calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, copper, iron and other metals, and various trace elements. The juice is especially useful in spring, when the lack of vitamins. It is recommended for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, kidney, gall bladder, it helps to cleanse the blood. Has beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels, brain, boosts the immune system. Improves the condition in infectious diseases. In addition, it can be used topically to improve skin and treatment of skin diseases. They are useful to wash my hair, it improves hair growth and removes dandruff.
Birch SAP does not keep long. It can conserve, however, in my opinion, quite enough to drink in the spring. At least I haven’t seen someone do that. In the old days said: “I Want to be healthy, drink in spring, three weeks fresh birch juice.”
Birch juice in cans similar to natural, but no value to health it poses. Of heat treatment and preservatives destroy all of the beneficial properties of this product.
If the juice is left untreated, it begins a few days to ferment, turning into a sort of birch brew. As the juice contains a lot of sugar, in the birch kvass contains a small amount of alcohol. After drinking it, you should not get behind the wheel. On one of the hunting camps, where many years I went, the huntsman gathered the juice of two or three barrels. Over time, the juice turned into a drink, and moved from the evening of the hunters, fled in the morning to drink it, to kind of “heal”. In addition, from this brew turns out quite decent soup.
Since ancient times birch was one of the symbols of Russia and was revered by the ancient Slavs. In many Nations it was considered a sacred tree. In ancient times there were many different rituals associated with birch. It was considered that it takes adversity and illness, and in return brings happiness and drives away evil spirits, as a talisman for people and Pets. In Russia since olden times knew how to attract birds to the fields and houses. In March, hung on trees birdhouses-berestyanky: these are houses made of birch bark starlings settled all the more likely because the bark keeps the birds from cold weather and dampness.
White birch personified with the feminine, purity. In many movies and paintings we see women clinging to the white barrel in moments of joy or despair, poured out his tears and got peace of mind, as if the tree gave them strength.
And how nice to wander through a birch forest! There is always light and joy, it seems that the white-trunked trees radiate good, and smile.
So let’s treat our woods.
