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Beech. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Content

1. Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
2. Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
3. Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
4. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
5. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Beech, Fagus sylvatica. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Fagus (Beech)

Family: Fagaceae (beech)

Origin: Beech comes from Europe and Asia.

Area: Beech is common in temperate climatic zones of Europe and Asia, as well as in North America.

Chemical composition: Beech leaves contain tannins, carotenoids, vitamin C, iron and calcium, as well as flavonoids and phenolic compounds. Beech wood contains cellulose, glucose, xylose and linule.

Economic value: Beech wood is used in the manufacture of furniture, boats, sports equipment, musical instruments, as well as in construction, including for the production of parquet, cladding, stairs and doors. Beech leaves are used for the production of tea and ointments, as well as forage for livestock.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In Greek mythology, the beech was associated with the goddess Athena, the goddess of wisdom and war. It is said that Athena created the first beech to create a ship that could fly. The beech was a symbol of wisdom and the ability to use natural resources to achieve a goal. In Norse mythology, the beech was associated with the goddess Frigga, the goddess of love and beauty. It is said that Frigga was the protector of the beech forest, and that her son, the god Balder, was killed with a beech arrow. Therefore, the beech was a symbol of grief and sorrow. In Celtic mythology, the beech was associated with the goddess Bridget, the goddess of fire, forging and healing. It is said that Bridget gave her blessings to the master blacksmiths who worked with beech wood, and that the beech was a symbol of strength and protection. In European culture, beech symbolizes many concepts such as wisdom, life and immortality. In Christian tradition, the beech was associated with the cross of Christ, and its leaves were used as a symbol of the crown of thorns that was put on the head of Jesus before the crucifixion. Symbolically, the beech can serve as a symbol of wisdom, the ability to use resources to achieve a goal and strength. It can also serve as a symbol of protection and longevity, as a beech forest can last for several centuries. In addition, beech can serve as a symbol of immortality and rebirth, as it can grow in the same places where its ancestors grew many years ago.

Beech, Fagus sylvatica. Description, illustrations of the plant

Forest beech, Fagus sylvatica L. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

A tree 30 m high of the beech family. Blooms in April-May. The fruit is a nut, shiny, brown, sharply triangular with a woody ovoid rusty-brown involucre, ripens in September - October.

Nuts contain up to 30% fatty semi-drying oil (40-67% in the core), 23-30% nitrogenous substances, starch, sugars, fiber, organic acids (malic, citric), tannins, vitamin E (up to 150 mg%). Nuts contain the poisonous alkaloid fagin. Beech ash contains potash. Ethylene guaiacol, cyclopentanone, ligroceryl acid, a number of phenols, among which guaiacol and cresol predominate, have been isolated from wood. Vaniloside, citric acid were found in the bark, 6-9% of tannins were found in the bark and leaves.

Beech nuts are eaten raw and roasted. Excessive consumption of raw nuts can cause headaches due to the presence of fagin in them. Fried ones are completely harmless - when heated (up to 100-120 ° C), the alkaloid is destroyed. Confectionery products, a coffee surrogate, are prepared from roasted and ground nuts for flour. Such flour with a small admixture of wheat is suitable for baking pancakes, crumbly biscuits, and tortillas. In the Caucasus and the Carpathians, beech flour was used as an addition to bread baking; such bread products are tastier than those made from pure rye or wheat flour.

High-quality edible oil is obtained from nuts by cold pressing. It is straw-yellow in color, pleasant in taste, does not go rancid, can replace olive, nut, poppy and almond in bread baking, canning, confectionery, salads, first and second courses.

When hot pressed, more oil is squeezed out of the nuts than when cold. This oil is darker, dries faster. Most often it is used for technical purposes.

During the dry distillation of wood, tar is obtained, which is mined for the medical agent creosote. The latter has antiseptic and antiparasitic properties. It is used orally in the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis, in veterinary medicine - against tapeworms. Outwardly used mainly in dental practice and veterinary medicine as a hemostatic and disinfectant.

Authors: Dudnichenko L.G., Krivenko V.V.

Beech, Fagus sylvatica L. Interesting plant facts

Beech is a powerful majestic tree up to 40 m high. The diameter of the trunk reaches 2 m. The trunk is covered with smooth grayish bark. The crown is wide, spreading, the leaves are smooth, shiny.

In the open, beech begins to bear fruit at 20-40 years, and in dense dense stands - at 60-80 years. Abundant harvests are repeated in 2-3 years. The fruits are trihedral nuts in a thin brown woody peel. Nuts (2-4 in a bristly plush) dry out in autumn and fall to the ground.

Forest beech is common in the Carpathians, Crimean - in the Crimea, eastern - in the Caucasus.

Beech nuts contain many different nutrients in the form of carbohydrates and fats. The composition of the purified kernel includes 31,8% fat, 22,4% nitrogenous substances, 8,9% water, 3,69% fiber and 4% ash.

Nuts are used raw and roasted. But it should be remembered: excessive consumption of raw nuts can cause a headache, as they contain the alkaloid fagin. Roasted nuts are completely harmless to health, since at a temperature of 100-120 ° C the alkaloid is destroyed.

From beech nuts, roasted and ground into flour, a variety of confectionery products, sweets, cocoa surrogate are made, a fatty non-drying oil of light yellow color is obtained, pleasant in taste, but completely odorless.

Peeled nuts are roasted and processed into flour in mills or mortars. Fine pancakes, cookies, cakes are baked from beech nut flour with a slight admixture of wheat flour, and puff pastry is prepared. In the Caucasus and in the Carpathians, beech flour is universally recognized as an additive to wheat flour. Bread turns out more tasty and fragrant, than from pure wheat flour. In France, flour from beech nuts is widely used in the confectionery industry along with flour from edible chestnut nuts.

Not only edible flour is obtained from beech, its nuts are used to obtain oil used for technical and food purposes. The most well-known method for obtaining beech oil is the hot pressing of crushed nuts. By cold pressing, an edible oil is obtained, which is distinguished by high palatability. The oil is well preserved, does not go rancid.

With hot pressing, the oil yield is slightly higher, but such oil dries faster and has a dark color.

Cold-pressed beech oil replaces Provence, walnut, poppy and almond oil in confectionery, baking, canning vegetables, salads, dressings, pancakes and fritters.

In medicine, the best creosote is obtained from the distillation of beech wood. Beech plywood and wood are considered the best in furniture production.

Author: Reva M.L.

Beech, Fagus sylvatica. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

Ethnoscience:

• For the treatment of respiratory diseases: make a decoction of beech leaves, add honey and lemon juice and take 1-2 tablespoons three times a day.
• To treat colds and flu: pour 1-2 teaspoons of beech leaves with boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes and drink three times a day.
• For the treatment of hemorrhoids: prepare a tincture of beech bark and use to wet swabs that are applied to the sore spot.
• For the treatment of wounds and ulcers: Apply fresh beech bark ointment to the affected area.

Cosmetology:

• To strengthen and improve hair: pour 1-2 teaspoons of beech leaves with boiling water, leave for 10-15 minutes and use the resulting decoction as a rinse after washing your hair.
• To moisturize the skin: mix beech oil with other natural oils such as jojoba oil or shea butter and apply to face or body.
• To soften skin and improve complexion: prepare a mask of ground beech leaves by adding some honey and yogurt and apply on the skin for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Beech, Fagus sylvatica. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Beech, whose scientific name is Fagus sylvatica, is one of the most common deciduous trees in Europe. It is widely used in landscaping and horticulture due to its beautiful crown and disease resistance.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing beech:

Cultivation:

• Soil and Lighting: Beeches like full sun or partial shade and prefer fertile soils with a neutral to slightly acidic pH.
• Planting and Depth: Plant beeches in early fall or late spring to a depth that allows the soil to cover the roots and root collar.
• Distance between plants: The distance between plants should be at least 6-8 meters so that the trees can grow and develop freely.
• Plant care: Water your beech regularly during the first years after planting. It is also necessary to remove weeds, prune the tree and fertilize with fertilizers for fruit trees.

Preparation and storage:

• Beech leaves can be harvested in late summer or early autumn when they begin to turn yellow.
• It is best to dry the leaves in a ventilated place in the shade to preserve their medicinal properties.
• Dry leaves should be stored in airtight containers in a cool, dry place.

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