Birch: The Miracle Tree of Russia

If bamboo is a symbol in Vietnamese life, birch is considered by the people as a symbol of Russia. Birch is loved and honored for its elegant beauty, strong vitality and other special values.

Hai Dang

October 19, 2024 | 11:28

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Birch water

Birch water is the sap of the tree. Photo: avito.ru

Birch water, a drink fondly remembered from every Russian's childhood, is derived from birch sap. It possesses a sweet flavor and a distinctive, subtle fragrance.

The optimal taste of this beverage is achieved when it is collected immediately following the snow's thaw. Herbal Pedia states that birch water is rich in minerals and vitamins accumulated over the winter, making it a nutritious choice that can bolster the immune system. Every sip evokes the soft scent of tranquil summer afternoons spent amidst birch trees.

Lovely crafts

Modern crafts from birch wood. Photo: dzen.ru

Birch wood, known for its softness and ease of processing, is commonly utilized in crafting household items like spoons, cups, plates, and spice containers. It is celebrated for its health safety, water resistance, and durability.

Moreover, birch is also employed in creating furniture pieces such as shelves, tables, and chairs, which lend a natural and elegant charm to any living space. Presently, birch wood handicrafts are cherished by international tourists as souvenirs, appreciated not just for their quality but also for their deep cultural significance.

Birch branches and leaves - "magic broom"

Russian Banya bath. Photo: yandex.ru

A Russian steam bath, or Banya, is incomplete without the "magic broom," traditionally crafted from birch branches. It's used for massage and to help prevent illnesses. In the steamy environment, birch releases abundant essential oils, which are beneficial for treating respiratory conditions, cleansing pores, enhancing kidney function, alleviating joint and muscle discomfort, and reducing inflammation.

The ideal "bath broom" requires preparation during the summer. Birch branches should be collected in June when the levels of vitamins and beneficial compounds in the birch bark and leaves peak. These branches, measuring approximately 50-60 cm in length and featuring lush foliage without flowers, are then dried for use in steam baths.

Birch branch - "talisman"

The Feast of the Holy Trinity. Photo: yandex.ru

In Russian tradition, birch branches have become symbolic of the Feast of the Holy Trinity in Orthodoxy, representing the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Once blessed by a priest, these branches are commonly kept in homes as a protective emblem. It is believed that they can safeguard the home against fire and malevolent forces, thereby bringing tranquility and fortune to the household.

Birch garden in Zaryadye Park, Moscow. Photo: yandex.ru

For Vietnamese people, birch is not only a tree but also a cultural mark, a witness to sweet memories in a faraway land.

“How can I forget that beautiful autumn afternoon sun

Lots of fallen leaves dye the grass here

Oh Birch! The romance is full and empty

Want to return... to find... the footprints of that day”

(Nostalgic Birch Land - Chairman of the Soviet Union Gratitude Page Nguyen Van Hai)

Birch trees in autumn. Photo: PiBig.info

Birch trees grow to an average height of 20 to 30 meters. The bark is white-black, the leaves are heart-shaped with serrated edges. Birch species adapts well to the harsh winters of Russia, growing strongly in a variety of conditions from natural forest environments to large cities. According to the AIF newspaper, the area of birch forests currently accounts for about 117 hectares (20.9% of the total forest area of Russia).

The image of the birch tree has appeared in many poems, including “The White Birch” by Sergei Yesenin and “The Birch That Made Russia” by Rima Kazakova. The birch tree has entered the spiritual life of the Russian people from folk songs, dances to famous paintings such as “Birch Forest” (1885 - Isaac Levitan), “By the House in the Suburbs” (1894 - Ivan Shishkin).

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