Birch buds for cough in bronchitis

Birch buds are a fairly popular medicinal raw material, the availability of which is beyond doubt, because birches are not that rare in Ukraine. And in pharmacies, dry raw materials are sold without a prescription.

Birch buds have long been used to prepare medicinal potions for many diseases, including bronchitis. What properties of birch buds can be useful for this pathology? This is an expectorant effect, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, diaphoretic action, the ability to have a detrimental effect on pathogenic microbes.

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Dosing and administration

The most effective in treating bronchitis is an alcohol tincture of birch buds. To prepare it, 2-3 tablespoons of plant material are poured with ½ a glass of seventy percent alcohol and infused in a dark place for exactly 21 days. During this time, the composition will need to be stirred several times, vigorously shaking the jar.

The tincture should be taken by diluting 10-20 drops of the medicine in 1-2 tablespoons of water. The frequency of administration is 3 times a day.

A decoction and infusion of the buds also have expectorant and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat children.

For the decoction, take 2 teaspoons of plant material per 1 glass of water, boil for half an hour on low heat, dilute with boiled water to 200 l and take three times a day. A single dose of the decoction is 1 tablespoon.

The infusion is prepared from 2 cups of boiling water and 1 tbsp. of buds. The brewing time is 30 minutes. The medicine should be taken half a glass four times a day.

In the acute period of colds, a stronger infusion prepared from 2 teaspoons of buds and 1 glass of boiling water will help relieve unpleasant symptoms. First, the composition is kept in a water bath for a quarter of an hour, then removed from the heat and placed in a warm place for another 45 minutes.

Birch oil is also a good cough remedy, and even children may like it. Take 3 tablespoons of birch buds, crush them well and mix with half a standard pack of butter. The butter should be unsalted and slightly melted. Put the mixture on low heat and simmer for about an hour, then strain and use only the remaining oil. Throw away the bud pulp. Add 200 ml of liquid honey to the oil, mix again and take 1-2 tablespoons four times a day.

All home remedies made from birch buds are recommended to be taken before meals.

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Contraindications

As funny as it may sound, birch buds are not recommended for people with kidney diseases accompanied by serious impairment of their functions. Expectant mothers should not use recipes with birch buds either.

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Side effects birch buds

Side effects from treatment with birch buds are observed very rarely and are usually due to individual intolerance.

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Storage conditions

It would seem that there is nothing difficult in collecting birch buds. In fact, you need to know how to do it correctly so that they retain their beneficial properties. The healing raw material is collected in February-March, when the buds are just beginning to swell. Blossoming buds with soft green foliage are not suitable for medicine.

But prematurely collected buds are not of much value either. You need to wait until the tree begins to revive and give juice.

In order to prepare birch buds, you don't need to cut the branches of the plant at all. It is enough to cut the bud on the branch at its very base. You can dry the buds in the shade with good ventilation or in a dryer with a temperature no higher than 30 degrees.

Dry raw materials are stored in paper bags, cloth bags, glass jars, ceramic containers. The shelf life of dry birch buds is 2 years.

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