Birch sap cure: what are the health benefits?

Birch sap is harvested at the approach of spring because of its many virtues for the body. This year, birch sap is already available in some areas. Indeed, its availability depends on the beginning of the harvest which, on the same principle as the harvest, varies according to the territories and is only known at the last moment.

What is birch sap? How to harvest it?

There birch sap is the nutrient-laden liquid that circulates through the tree. It is harvested a little before the beginning of spring, when it rises from the roots to the branches.

How to collect the fresh sap? We make a small hole in the trunk and insert a pipe from which the sap will flow.

It is a water with a pleasant flavor, slightly woody and sweet. We can’t find it cool only in March-April, sometimes a little before. Then it is either pasteurized or fermented (it then becomes cloudier and more tart).

The ideal is to choose it organic, local, fresh or fermented. We sometimes add extracts of buds (blackcurrant, hazel, chestnut…) which will bring a fruity note while reinforcing its assets.

Detox, fatigue, health… What are the benefits of a birch sap cure?

This ancient practice is particularly effective for boost immunity. In addition, a birch sap cure can help kick-start the metabolism. A sluggish metabolism can be a sign of a slowdown in the body’s main functions and a sluggish cleansing process. Clearly, the filtering organs (kidneys, liver, intestines, skin, etc.) are idling. However, during the winter, the organs that play a role of purifying filters often run out of steam, due to a sedentary lifestyle, stress and an overly rich diet. A cure of birch sap can therefore help the body to detoxify.

Although there are no scientific studies on the subject, birch sap has been used since the Middle Ages against kidney stonesulcers, eczema or joint pain.

“It is recommended in detox cure because it allows both a light cleansing of the body by its draining properties and an overall remineralization by its richness in various minerals: calcium and silicon good for the bones, magnesium and lithium good for morale, potassium against high blood pressureiron anti-fatigueantioxidant zinc…”explains Céline Touati, naturopath and nutritherapist.

Unpasteurized, it also contains vitamin C, enzymes and ferments that are good for the intestinal microbiota.

How to consume it? What quantities?

“At the rate of a large glass of birch sap on an empty stomach in the morning for 21 dayswhich is the average cell turnover time”, says Céline Touati. If the cure is often done in the spring, when fresh sap is available, it is possible to do it all year round with fermented or pasteurized sap. “when we feel tired, when our morale is low or when our immune system is weakened, in winter for example”, says the specialist. However, nothing should be expected without a healthy lifestyle in parallel: stop smoking, alcohol, processed products…

“A cure should last 3 weeks to fully replenish the body. And to optimize its effects, we recommend leaving the sap for a moment under the tongue before swallowing it. Guaranteed effect!”, complete, Jérémie Kubler, the founder of Mineralaseveharvesting birch sap.

What are the differences with birch juice?

It should not be confused the sap, also called “birch water”, with birch sap. The latter is obtained by decoction of birch leaves, rich in minerals and flavonoids (antioxidants). More concentrated, it is not drunk as it is but diluted in a large glass of water. Renowned for stimulating the body’s elimination functions, it is recommended as a 3-week cure at seasonal changes. “It is less interesting than birch sap which is a natural product that has not undergone any transformation”notes the naturopath.

Birch sap: what precautions and side effects?

The virtues of birch are recognized by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), the Commission of the German Ministry of Health and the European Scientific Cooperation in Phytotherapy (ESCOP). In addition to its precious sap, birch is also the source of other products also used in naturopathy: birch juice, birch infusion or birch bud macerate.

Attention ! “Natural” does not mean “without risk to health”. If birch sap is usually considered to be devoid of toxicity, certain precautions for use are necessary.

In particular, if you are allergic to birch pollen, this is a contraindication for products from this tree – including birch sap. There are other contraindications or side effects, for example: edema pathological.
Likewise if you are taking a diuretic treatment (Spironolactone®, Indapamide®, Cicletanine®… for example against high blood pressure), birch sap itself having diuretic properties, it is imperative to seek medical advice before taking consume it, because there is a risk of drug interaction.
Consumption of birch sap may also be responsible for digestive side effects – nausea, vomiting, diarrhea… most often transient due to the draining effect of birch. Pay attention to the dosage and not to exceed 3 weeks of treatment.

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