Our first medicinal tree is birch
shown here is the beautiful silver birch
we can see the characteristic silvery-white bark
which peels off into thin papery strips
and the old dried catkins, or female flowers
still lingering after the summer
Birch is much prized in the freezing climates of the far north
for its ability to stimulate circulation to the skin
and keep the skin glowing and fresh looking through brutal winters
In Russia and Sweden, the small twigs of birch
with or without leaves still on
are collected and bound together to make a 'whisk' or 'broom'
People use this to gently beat against their skin, usually in a sauna
this increases blood flow to the surface of the skin
You could also just throw the twigs (with or without leaves)
into a hot bath and let their stimulating properties
infuse into the water and into your skin while you relax and soak