Birch sap

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tapped birch for obtaining birch sap
Naturally emerging birch sap from a tree stump.

Birch sap (also called birch water ) is a clear, colorless liquid that can be tapped from the birch , especially the silver birch , in spring . The juice also naturally escapes from wounds in the bark, for example it escapes from stumps in spring and is absorbed by flies and butterflies .

Taste and shelf life

The birch sap has a slightly sweet, not very intense taste and can be drunk straight or fermented according to various recipes. The shelf life of the untreated juice is a few days if refrigerated.

Extraction

The birch sap is tapped later than with maple sap , when the ground frost has already disappeared, usually in April. Otherwise the sap is extracted in the same way as with maple sap. A thick birch with a diameter of 50 centimeters at breast height provides up to 10 liters of birch sap per day, up to 200 liters in a year, depending on the weather and the drilling. It is recommended to draw a maximum of 5 liters per day per tree. The flow of sap lasts for a maximum of two weeks. Tapped trees should then be able to recover for at least two years.

For extraction it is sufficient to drill about five centimeters deep through the bark , with a diameter of about two centimeters. Instead of the trunk, large branches can be drilled close to the trunk on the underside of the branch, which provides as much sap as on the trunk, but does less harm to the tree. The roots can also be drilled. The branches can also be pruned for extraction. The twigs are put into a bottle and the juice is collected in this way.

After pegging, the hole has to be closed with tree wax to prevent bleeding of the tree.

composition

Birch sap contains 17 amino acids , minerals , enzymes , proteins , betulin , antioxidants , and vitamins (B and C). Birch sap naturally has between 0.5% and 2.0% sugar (of which approx. 45% fructose , 45% glucose and 10% sucrose ). Xylitol , also known as birch sugar , is not contained in birch sap , but can be obtained from birch bark and from agricultural residues such as corn on the cob at temperatures of 200 ° C and with the use of sulfuric acid.

distribution

Forest workers used to appreciate birch sap as a source of drinking. The Teutons are said to have had a healing effect.

Birch sap is tapped in rural areas of Eastern Europe , Scandinavia , the Ukraine , Russia and northern China , but fermentation is rarely practiced. Birch sap is also marketed commercially in some Eastern European countries.

medicine

Birch water is said to have a number of health-promoting properties that have not been scientifically researched. The juice has a low calorific value, 100 milliliters contain around 5 kilocalories. In folk medicine it is considered helpful and a. for gout , rheumatism and hair loss. Birch water can also be used as a remedy for dandruff . Birch water is considered to be anti-inflammatory and lower cholesterol. A supposed detoxifying and purifying effect is supposed to have a preventive effect against cellulite or skin impurities. Birch water must be avoided in the case of edema as a result of cardiac insufficiency or kidney insufficiency , as well as intestinal inflammation, as the birch sap contains saponins (saponins are supposed to increase the absorption of substances in the intestine).

See also

literature

Web links

Commons : Birch Sap  - collection of images, videos and audio files
Wiktionary: Birch sap  - explanations of meanings, word origins, synonyms, translations
  • Birch with instructions for extraction

Individual evidence

  1. a b Susanne Gerlach: Birch sap - energy from the tree trunk . In: Brigitte , February 18, 2015, accessed on March 19, 2016.
  2. a b c d e f g What birch water does for your health. In: Gesundheit.de. Alliance Healthcare Deutschland AG, May 12, 2016, accessed on November 13, 2017 .
  3. a b c d e rk (CF): Birch sap: The healthy natural product briefly introduced. Drink with medicinal properties. Ströer Digital Publishing GmbH, July 14, 2016, accessed on November 14, 2017 .
  4. S Ahtonen, H Kallio: Identification and seasonal variation of amino acids in birch sap used for syrup production . In: Food Chemistry . 33, No. 2, 1989, pp. 125-132. doi : 10.1016 / 0308-8146 (89) 90115-5 .
  5. http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/essences/arbre.php?id=98
  6. Jérome Bouchet: Les Stratégies en Thérapeutique Antivirale 2007, p. 24.
  7. http://www.santenatureinnovation.com/la-seve-de-bouleau-est-deja-la/
  8. a b B Demirci, F Demirci, K Hüsnü Can Baser, G Franz: Essential oil of Betula pendula Roth. Buds . In: Evid. Based complement . 1, No. 3, 2004, pp. 301-303. doi : 10.1093 / ecam / neh041 . PMID 15841263 . PMC 538512 (free full text).
  9. H Kallio, S Ahtonen: Identification of the Sugars and Acids in Birch Sap . In: Journal of Food Science . 50, No. 1, 1985, pp. 266-269. doi : 10.1111 / j.1365-2621.1985.tb13328.x .
  10. The healing power of birch sap. Detoxifies and strengthens the immune system. In: Eat Smarter. Retrieved November 13, 2017 .
  11. Birch sap: hair flakes. Retrieved August 27, 2019 .
  12. Sophie Hase: Birkensaft: The miracle weapon of the models. Coconut water has had its day. The new wellness miracle weapon is called birch sap. Why the birch sap is the current beauty elixir of the top models. news networld internetservice GmbH, October 21, 2015, accessed on November 14, 2017 .
  13. Traditional remedy. Retrieved January 26, 2019 .