Ivan tea or fireweed useful properties. Healing properties of narrow-leaved fireweed, use for women and men

Perhaps many have heard of such a wonderful plant as Blooming Sally, and perhaps saw, and also used it to prepare a wonderful fragrant tea because the name of this herb speaks for itself. And they were absolutely right, since all overseas teas are not always beneficial for our body, but a drink made from Ivan-chai herb will lift your spirit and strengthen your health, and it has no contraindications. Fireweed, also called Ivan-tea, has a large number of advantages, one of the most significant is the absence of costs, all that is needed is to prepare raw materials for the whole next year on time and correctly and enjoy the wonderful, fragrant, and most importantly healing drink from the herb Ivan-tea. But first things first…

Description

Fireweed angustifolia or Ivan-tea is a perennial herbaceous plant, with an erect, densely leafy stem, reaching a height of up to two meters. The shape of the leaves is elongated, pointed, attached to the stem with short petioles or simply "sit" on it. The plant has a beautiful flowering inflorescence - a brush. The flowers are large, about 3 centimeters wide, purple, hot pink or white. It is also worth mentioning interesting form root system is a creeping tree root with big amount adventitious roots, also used for medicinal purposes. Ivan-chai blooms in the summer, from mid-June to August.

Spreading

Fireweed grows everywhere, but mainly in dry sandy places, along the edges of the forest, glades, clearings, in dry peat bogs, in former forest fires, this plant can also be found.

Chemical composition of raw materials

Young rhizomes, flowers and leaves of Ivan-tea contain from 10% to 20% tannins, carbohydrates, organic acids, phenolic compounds, pectin, bioflavonoids, traces of alkaloids, vitamins: A, B 1, B 2, B 3, B 6 , B 9 , micro, and macro elements. Ivan tea is rich and vegetable fiber, which normalizes the work of the intestine, but does not break down in it. Fireweed leaves, in addition, contain up to 15% mucus, and are also rich in: ascorbic acid (vitamin C content is about 4 times more than in lemon), iron, copper, manganese, zinc, titanium, molybdenum, boron and others

Fireweed narrow-leaved or Ivan-tea - medicinal properties

Fireweed herb contains a whole spectrum medicinal properties, it can be used as a wonderful astringent, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antipyretic, enveloping, sedative, hypnotic, anticonvulsant, vasoconstrictor, antioxidant agent.

The main raw materials used for medicinal purposes are the leaves of the plant, as we have already indicated, being especially valuable in their own way. chemical composition. They are used in the treatment peptic ulcer stomach, gastritis, colitis, most often in the form of infusion or decoction. use healing infusion herbs of fireweed angustifolia, as well as an additional remedy in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia, reduced immunity and. Leaf extract medicinal plant also successfully used in modern cosmetology as a natural tightening component.

Similar to motherwort, Ivan tea has a mild sedative and hypnotic effect. Can use Ivan-tea in the fight against diseases of the upper respiratory tract, and also in the treatment of colds and acute respiratory infections, although only in the case when taking drugs from the plant was started in the first two days after the first signs of the disease appeared. If you start consuming Ivan tea later, then either there will be no result, or it will be the opposite.

The antioxidant property of the angustifolia fireweed is supported by the content of plant phenolic compounds in it, which are considered unusually strong antioxidants, and also thanks to vitamins A and C. “Thank you” to Ivan tea for this wonderful property, often used as a means to prolong the youth of the body.

Infusion and decoction of the leaves of angustifolia stimulate the work of cardio-vascular system and have a gentle effect on nervous system. The drugs are also used for insomnia, nervous overexcitation, increased irritability and headaches.

As an external remedy, the use of infusion from the leaves of Ivan-tea, we advise people who suffer from frequent headaches to adopt, and the infusion is also successfully used for diseases oral cavity, including stomatitis, sore throat, tonsillitis. Dry leaf powder medicinal plant used as additional funds in the treatment of infected wounds and ulcers. In the form of a poultice, it is used for otitis media (even acute) and soft tissue bruises.

Preparation of tea from fireweed angustifolia

Several hundred years ago, tea in Rus' was extremely rare and extremely expensive drink, which only noble people and the rich could afford. As a result, ordinary people looked for a decent replacement for him from what grows on Russian land. After a long search, fireweed tea gained considerable fame, which later received the name "Russian tea".

The technology of preparing tea from fireweed herb is a little troublesome, consisting of several stages, such as: picking, drying, rolling, fermentation and drying. But the result is worth it, as you have already noted.

So, we collect the aerial part of the plant during the growth and the beginning of flowering of the plant. Flowers and leaves should be collected and then dried separately from each other. We try to collect mostly fresh young leaves, and old and yellowed foliage should not be used. We advise you to cut the plant with scissors or secateurs without damaging the root system, which also has useful properties and is edible, as a wonderful alternative to wheat flour.

The collected leaves must be dried, for this we choose a shaded place where there are no direct sun rays and lay out the leaves of Ivan-tea for 2-2.5 hours in a thin layer. To dry them out a bit.

The next step is twisting, we recommend doing it exclusively by hand, because in this way, you save everything beneficial features plants and most importantly its great aroma. To do this, you need your hands! take a small amount of crush the leaves of fireweed, roll them in the palms until the juice is released and twist into a small "sausage".

Next, we are engaged in fermentation, for this it is necessary to put all the cooked “sausages” into a saucepan, a jar, a plastic bucket or a birch tuyesok and remove it for a day or two (it will depend on the air temperature). At the same time, the container must be covered with a damp cloth and ensure that it does not dry out by spraying it regularly with water.

Fermentation is considered sufficient if the herbal smell of the leaves changes to a strong floral-fruity aroma.

And finally The final stage Ivan tea preparations are drying. For better drying of raw materials better fit conventional oven, heated to 100 0 C. We lay the fermented tea on baking sheets in one layer and send it to the oven for 40 minutes. During the indicated time, we advise you to check the tea and turn it slightly. Qualitatively dried raw materials should be almost black in color, dry to the touch and acquire pleasant aroma.

Ivan tea should be stored in glassware, preferably not transparent, tightly closing the lid.

Ivan tea brewing method: you need to take 2 teaspoons of the resulting tea leaves and pour boiling water over it. Infuse for 15-20 minutes and drink.

Fireweed flowers are much easier to prepare, for this it is quite enough to spread them out in a thin layer in a dry, dark, ventilated room and periodically check until the raw material dries.

Terms and methods of collection

The harvesting of leaves and flowers of the narrow-leaved fireweed begins with the period of flower budding and the immediate beginning of the flowering of the plant, at which time it is gaining maximum strength. The root of Ivan tea is harvested in the fall, after the seeds have ripened.

medicinal prescriptions

Methods for preparing infusions from the herb of fireweed:

Recipe number 1: 15 g (about 3 teaspoons) of chopped medicinal raw materials of fireweed are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for an hour, then filtered and taken 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.

Recipe number 2: 1 tbsp. dried fireweed root is poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 45 minutes, after which it is filtered and this infusion is taken 3 times a day, 1 tbsp.

Recipe number 3 : 1 tbsp Leaves of fireweed are poured with a glass of boiling water and infused for 2 hours, after which they filter and take this infusion for 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day for anemia and 1/3 cup three times a day.

Fireweed is a perennial plant of the fireweed family, popularly known as Ivan-tea. The beneficial properties of this plant are so extensive that people have learned to use it in different areas folk medicine.

In addition to the fact that fireweed is used as a raw material for herbal tea, its leaves, roots and shoots can also be eaten. Dishes do not have such pleasant taste like tea, but rich in minerals and vitamins.

Fireweed is considered an ideal remedy for headaches, insomnia, diseases of the kidneys, stomach, throat. Also, tea based on this plant is recommended for those people who want to adhere to proper diet nutrition and lose weight without additional physical activity.

Fireweed: useful properties

Why is fireweed useful that it is so often advised for various diseases?

It restores the human nervous system, has a beneficial effect on the psyche, calming even the strongest excitement.
Normalizes the work of the cardiovascular system.
Is effective tool in the treatment of ulcers.
The beneficial properties of fireweed are also manifested in the fact that it is able to fight serious diseases. genitourinary system.
Ivan-chai increases the efficiency of assimilation useful substances from consumed food.
It exhibits an antiviral function, which makes it an ideal prophylactic against colds.
Improves the condition of the skin due to the presence of relevant substances here. By consuming a certain amount of fireweed in any form, you can ensure the firmness and elasticity of your own skin for a long time.

There is no need to even doubt whether fireweed is useful. Its properties speak unequivocally: it is a whole pantry of health, indispensable for many diseases.

Interestingly, fireweed is used even for gastritis and unpleasant pain in the abdomen. This is due to its ability to kill and remove harmful bacteria and microorganisms from the body.

Fireweed: contraindications

First of all, it is worth noting that Ivan-chai has such huge amount positive properties that any contraindications of fireweed go unnoticed. However, they should be mentioned:

it is not recommended to use the product together with other sedative drugs or products. Because of this, some disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system may occur;
individual intolerance is possible, although the probability of this tends to zero;
harm from fireweed can occur if it is used together with antipyretics;
in the last months of pregnancy, women should also completely abandon this product.

Now you know how harmful fireweed is, and you can see for yourself that this product has hundreds of times more positive sides than negative ones.

Fireweed and weight loss

You can lose weight with the help of fireweed quite easily, without risk to health. There are several ways to lose weight with this product, and you should choose the one that suits you best.

Ivan tea contains a large amount of vitamins and minerals. Its regular use allows not only to get rid of extra pounds, but also to normalize metabolism, which can not always be counted on during diets for weight loss.

Fireweed for weight loss is also useful in that it improves blood composition, metabolism, cleanses the liver, kidneys, and is very useful for young mothers who are forced to gain weight. excess weight during pregnancy.

For cooking ideal remedy For weight loss, you must follow certain rules:

tea from dried leaves should be prepared in such a way as to preserve the beneficial properties of the plant as much as possible;
fireweed leaves should be thoroughly washed and dried. Then they are placed in a saucepan and covered with damp gauze. Here they will be under oppression for 10-12 hours;
Ivan-tea can be bought at a pharmacy or store, however, tea prepared by yourself will contain much more nutrients for your body.

Methods and scope of application of fireweed

Now you need to answer the main practical questions: how to lose weight with fireweed? How much to use this product?

Prepare an infusion of fireweed. To do this, take 25-30 g of grass and pour 1 cup of boiling water over it. The drink should be infused for 2 hours. Take an infusion of herbs should be 3 times a day before meals. Tea should be prepared not only from flowers, but also from leaves, stems and roots. Thus, the plant will perform several positive functions at once.
The next recipe requires a little more preparation. Leave the collected fireweed leaves in a dark place for a whole day until they wither. Roll the leaves into tubes the next day. Place these molds on a baking sheet and cover with a damp cloth for 8-10 hours. After that, unroll the leaves and place on a baking sheet. The plant should be dried in an ajar oven for 30-40 minutes. Taste and medicinal properties fireweed will improve significantly with this recipe.
A decoction of fireweed roots. Pour 10 g of crushed rhizomes with boiling water (250 ml). Boil the herb for about 20 minutes, strain it. The decoction should be taken 3-4 times a day for 1 tbsp. l.

Fireweed during pregnancy

Can fireweed be pregnant? We can definitely answer that this product is useful during pregnancy, all this is due to the unique chemical composition of the plant. Fireweed helps expectant mother endure any surprises associated with her interesting position:

vitamins are involved in correct formation fetus;
trace elements protect against colds;
many other components contribute to the excretion of a woman from the body harmful substances.

Fireweed during pregnancy is prohibited only with individual intolerance and in recent months, when a woman is about to give birth to a child. In addition, Ivan-tea should not be abused, it is enough to take an infusion or decoction 3 times a day.

Fireweed is a herbaceous plant or shrub as tall as a human being. The leaves have an elongated shape, a small stalk and a sharp top. Fireweed blooms with large purple or lilac buds, which converge into a kind of cone in the upper part of the plant.

Fireweed (also called Ivan-tea) is quite popular in traditional medicine due to beneficial properties. This is a primordially Russian plant that helped even our great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers.

The therapeutic effect after taking fireweed is well known to the representatives of the stronger sex. Let's take a closer look at the list of contraindications for taking Ivan tea, and also see what properties this plant has.

Article content:

Medicinal properties

Ivan tea acts on the body as a powerful tonic and anti-inflammatory agent. The use of fireweed decoctions after surgery or serious illnesses stimulates the healing process and significantly reduces the likelihood of various complications. Fireweed components have a positive effect on the immune system.

Fireweed also gives a laxative and diuretic effect if it is brewed from fresh leaves. The herb is used as an enveloping, regenerating, hemostatic, sedative.

Recipes with a small concentration of the components that make up the plant have a beneficial effect on the mental state of a person, normalize sleep, and eliminate the effects of stress.

Brewed dried grass Ivan tea helps to get rid of those caused by insomnia, and has a beneficial effect on the condition of the heart muscle.

IN folk recipes not only fireweed roots appear, but also its foliage and buds. The leaves and flowers contain flavonoids, mucous and tannins, iron, tannin, ascorbic acid, manganese, vitamin A.

Rhizomes are rich in carotenoids, tannins, flavonoids, pectins, B vitamins, as well as molybdenum and copper. Decoction of Ivan tea has a pleasant aroma and fruity taste.

The maximum beneficial properties of grass are preserved only if it is collected and dried correctly:

The aerial part of the plant is harvested during flowering, but the condition must be observed: the buds must not be fully opened. Otherwise, there is a risk of getting a handful of seeds instead of flowers after drying. During drying, the leaves are placed separately from the sprouts, they are placed under a large canopy, after which they are subjected to fermentation.
The underground part of the grass is prepared for the drying process in the fall. Rhizomes are cleaned of pieces of earth, placed in an oven and kept at a temperature of seventy degrees Celsius.

For men unique property fireweed in that it prevents the occurrence of prostate adenoma. Often recipes with Ivan tea are included in the complex treatment of this disease. Components inhibit the spread of pathology.

Gradually, the formidable neoplasm decreases in size, the need for surgical intervention is minimized. Fireweed can be used as a prophylactic against impotence.

Nutritional value and calories

The calorie content of a 100-gram serving of fireweed in its raw form is 150 kcal, which is 9% of daily dose(about 1600 kcal). Content nutrients in one hundred grams of grass the following:

proteins - 5 grams;
fats - 2 grams;
carbohydrates - 32 grams;
water - 60 grams;
ash - 2 grams;
nicotinic acid - 0.3 mg;
ascorbic acid - 13 mg;
folates - 25 mcg;
pyridoxine - 0.2 mg;
pantothenic acid - 1.2 mg;
riboflavin - 0.12 mg;
thiamine - 0.11 mg.

Is there any harm and contraindications?

Due to the rich and saturated composition, fireweed has a number important contraindications that cannot be ignored:

Excessive use of fireweed can cause severe diarrhea, pain in the lower abdomen.
Taking herbs is not possible during treatment with antipyretic and sedative medications.
For hypotension, fireweed can become dangerous herbal remedy. This is explained by his ability.
If the patient has an individual intolerance to Ivan-tea, then he should not take decoctions and make lotions from this plant.
During an exacerbation of urological problems in men, treatment with fireweed should not be started.
Ivan tea is strictly contraindicated for people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the hematopoietic system.

Before using a decoction of fireweed, be sure to consult with your doctor. He will tell you exactly if you have contraindications.

During childbearing and during breastfeeding fireweed should be taken with caution. The dosage should be determined by a physician.

Methods of application in traditional medicine

Folk recipes for drinks that include fireweed are superior to all other known natural teas in their effect on the body.

Ivan tea for prostate adenoma

With adenoma, fireweed is used in combination with other plants. Their healing properties are complemented and enhanced. Decoctions and infusions must be taken in courses.

Combine three tablespoons of fireweed with two tablespoons of nettle leaves, add a couple of spoons of goldenrod, as well as one hop cone, cumin and horsetail. All ingredients must be dried in the oven, chopped and thoroughly mixed until a homogeneous mixture is formed. Add 250 ml of boiling water to the herbs, wait half an hour, filter the infusion. Take a drink in the morning, afternoon and evening before meals. A serving is equal to a third of a glass.
Combine ten parts of the roots of fireweed and licorice. Add three parts echinacea roots and two parts lemongrass leaves. All components are well dried, chopped and mixed. Take one tablespoon of the resulting mixture and pour 500 ml of boiling water. Keep on low heat for ten minutes, then insist for half an hour and strain through cheesecloth. The drink is drunk one hundred milliliters three times a day on an empty stomach.
Combine leaves of fireweed, strawberry, birch and hazel in equal proportions. All leaves are dried and finely crushed. One hundred grams dried plants pour 500 ml of boiling water and keep on low heat for about ten minutes. The drink is infused and filtered with a gauze pad. The decoction is drunk without any restrictions all day. No additives are needed.

With pancreatitis

Four or five teaspoons of dried and crushed leaves of Ivan tea pour 1.5 cups of boiling water. Wait 10-15 minutes and strain the decoction. Drink before and after meals a quarter cup three times a day. Take it warm.

For stomach ulcers and duodenal ulcers

Four tablespoons of fireweed leaves are thrown into a deep saucepan and poured with two liters hot water. The liquid must be brought to a boil and immediately remove the container from the heat. Let it brew for half an hour, then strain. Take a decoction of a third cup before meals.

Fireweed for weight loss

Here are four recipes for a quick and safe weight loss with this plant:

Place a few leaves of Ivan tea in a small saucepan, add a handful of wild strawberries and any currants. Pour 500 ml of boiling water and put on fire. The mixture should boil for ten minutes. Ready broth is cooled naturally and passed through a sieve. You need to take a drink all day, replacing regular tea with it.
Combine two teaspoons of dried fireweed with one teaspoon of corn stigmas, add a dessert spoon of Chinese lemongrass to the mixture. Place all raw materials in teapot and pour boiling water up to the lid. The mixture is infused for about half an hour, then it is filtered and taken three times a day before meals for half a glass.
One heaping tablespoon of fireweed is poured into 250 ml of hot water. Leave for five minutes, the field of which the decoction is separated from the leaves. Cinnamon is added to the liquid at the tip of a knife and a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. You need to drink the resulting drink on an empty stomach in the morning. Serving size is one glass.
A decoction of fireweed with the addition of a pinch of salt is taken in half a glass 20–25 minutes before meals. The drink helps to eliminate the second chin.

Prescription for oncology

Thanks to useful components Ivan tea is used during chemotherapy for oncological diseases. The herb perfectly relieves pain and strengthens the immune system. Hanerol, which is part of the fireweed, actively fights tumors.

You need to take a teaspoon with a slide of fireweed and pour it with a glass of boiling water. Then you need to leave the mixture under a closed lid for half an hour and filter with a strainer or gauze. Take a drink one at a time dessert spoon after waking up and before going to bed.
Take a bunch of leaves and stems of fireweed and squeeze the juice out of the plant with a juicer. Place the liquid in a separate container and close the lid. Before use, mix one tablespoon of liquid with the same amount fresh honey. Store the drink in the refrigerator. Take fireweed with honey four times a day before meals.
Take Ivan tea along with the rhizome, foliage and flowers and rinse it well. After that, you need to cut the plant into small pieces and place in a jar. The grass is poured with vodka, the plant should be completely hidden. The jar must be tightly closed with a lid. The container is placed in a dark place and drunk in a tablespoon of infusion four times a day. For prevention, the infusion is taken in a tablespoon twice a day before meals.

Proper use of Ivan-tea will help improve health, get rid of serious ailments and unpleasant symptoms, and also give good sleep, vigor and strength. Men will appreciate the beneficial properties of fireweed in the treatment and prevention of prostate adenoma.

We also invite you to see interesting video on the topic of the article:

For body tone

This plant contains more vitamin C than lemon. It contains a lot of tannins, pectin, flavonoids. Pleasant and fragrant taste helps the body to enter into tone, adds vigor to vitality.

To increase hemoglobin

Ivan tea has a positive effect on the blood. In the blood, the acid-base balance is normalized, hemoglobin rises, and the vitamins and iron included in it support the hematopoietic function.

To increase metabolism

Fireweed drink normalizes metabolism, helps digestion, eliminates constipation and heartburn, has choleretic action. Powerful antiseptic properties help in the treatment of inflammation and infections.

Natural antiseptic

The leaves and flowers of this plant contain powerful natural antiseptics, and Ivan tea surpasses many well-known antiseptic plants in this.

To improve potency

Fireweed is very useful for men. It improves the function of the prostate gland, increases potency. Women are advised to use Ivan tea for infertility.

Mild diuretic effect

Possessing a mild diuretic property, a decoction of willow-tea normalizes water-electrolyte metabolism in the body, relieves inflammation in bladder and kidneys, while lowering blood pressure.

Febrifuge

The infusion is used as an expectorant, anti-inflammatory agent and reduces fever.

To reduce nervous excitability

If a person has psycho-emotional stress, constant intake of such tea will ensure a good night's sleep, reduce nervous excitability and relieve headaches. This drink is recommended in the treatment of alcoholism.

Wound healing effect

Fireweed tea resists allergies and affects viruses. The presence of chlorophyll, carotenoids endowed the plant with a wound healing effect.

To improve lactation

Breastfeeding women are given a fireweed drink to improve lactation and prolong breastfeeding of babies.

In recent decades, scientists have found that fireweed angustifolium contains high-molecular and low-toxic substances that affect cancer cells, that is, they have an effect in the treatment of tumors.

Who should not drink Ivan tea?

Of course, like all plants, despite a lot of positive properties, fireweed may have contraindications. Although there are so many useful things in Ivan tea that all contraindications pale, before its advantages, it is still worth dwelling on them. You can not take fireweed along with sedatives and antipyretics. If you are prone to indigestion, then you should be prepared that after 2 weeks of taking a decoction of willow-tea, you may be carried through. Fireweed tea is not recommended during pregnancy. Individual intolerance to tinctures and decoctions from this plant may be observed.

fireweed tea recipes

1. Overweight

Tea is made from the flowers of the plant. Pour a small spoonful of flowers into 150 ml. boiling water. Add a pinch of salt to the brewed tea. Consume 30 minutes before meals.

2. Detoxification and soothing tea

Pour into a bowl (0.5 l.) A dessert spoonful of mint (pepper) and fireweed. Pour in boiling water. Hold for 15 minutes in a water bath. Drink 1/2 cup of strained infusion 5 times a day. Drink this tea for 2-3 weeks.

3. Ivan tea for adenoma and prostatitis

Can be brewed just like tea. To enhance the effect of the drink, add dried leaves hazelnut- ratio 1:3. Sugar and honey should not be added, but it is better to add a little sea salt.

4. For visual acuity

Add dry crushed herb eyebright to Ivan-tea - ratio 1:2. It is better to brew tea for a day in a thermos (0.5 liters). Take an hour after eating 150 gr. Good to add honey.

5. With genitourinary diseases

Pour 200 ml of boiling water over a tablespoon of dried leaves. 2 hours to insist. Strain. Drink 3 times a day for 1/3 cup.

How to brew Ivan tea?

You can drink brewed Ivan-tea, like an ordinary tea drink. Perfect Taste will be if you cook it on spring water. 1 person can have 5 grams per day. dry brewing Ivan-tea. Makes 4-5 cups strong drink. Taste qualities will be preserved, even if brewed more than once, but there will, of course, be fewer useful properties.
Tea brewing methods. 2 teaspoons of dry tea leaves per 600 ml of boiling water. Close the dish. Infused for 10-15 minutes. Store for several days, but do not boil when reheating.
I prefer freshly brewed tea. Take leaves and flowers for brewing in the same ratio - 2 teaspoons each. Boil half a liter of spring or purified water and pour tea leaves. Brewed for 10-15 minutes. Drink without sugar. For taste, use honey, dried apricots, raisins, halva, etc.

Stay healthy and enjoy your tea!

Fireweed (Ivan-tea)- perennial shrub, strewn with bright pink or lilac flowers (see photo). During flowering, the shrub emits a pleasant, fairly strong aroma. Fireweed is found throughout Russia. The plant is a representative of the Cyprus. vernacular name shrub sounds like "down jacket", although in most cases it is known as Ivan-tea. Fireweed became popular as tea drink. Ivan-chai was suitable not only for tea, it was customary to stuff pillows and mattresses with its fluff, the plant was even called “down jacket”. The fact is that the flowering of the plant is accompanied by a large amount of fluff.

Fireweed was one of the most important plants in Rus'. In old chronicles, scientists have found more than one mention of this herb. Before tea appeared in Rus', people drank tea with the so-called Russian tea, which was brewed fireweed leaves. Russian tea was revered not only in Rus', but throughout Europe. Fireweed was delivered abroad, it was served to the imperial table. Russian tea was so popular that the recipes for brewing it were equated with a family secret and passed down from generation to generation as the greatest value. For the first time, Russian tea was tasted by residents of the village of Koporya (Petersburg province). This marvelous drink was discovered by local monks, but soon the whole district began to drink tea. Once tea was tasted by English sailors who, by chance, ended up in Koporye, they liked the drink so much that they brought it to England, where it also became very popular. Tea very quickly conquered Europe and began to force out the products of Great Britain, which at that time owned valuable "tea" territories, such as India and Ceylon, from the market. The popularity of fireweed is also evidenced by the fact that it occupied an honorable place in foreign trade and was even ahead of traditional Russian products, such as honey. Today, heroic tea is undeservedly forgotten, which was facilitated by the intrigues of competitors and the 1917 revolution.

How to collect and dry?

It is better to collect Ivan-tea during its flowering period. The plant blooms from late June until autumn. For medicinal purposes, fireweed leaves and flowers are harvested, although sometimes stems and rhizomes are collected. By autumn, the plant begins to form fruits that look like beans, inside they contain fluff. When harvesting willow-tea, the fluff should in no case fall into the grass. If the roots are not needed, then the plant is cut to half, and the roots are left in the ground, since the plant is perennial. Dry the leaves in cool place stored in paper bags.

Beneficial features

The beneficial properties of Ivan-tea (fireweed) were known even to our ancestors, who considered a drink from this plant a remedy for all diseases. The plant contains a large amount of vitamin C, even more than rose hips. Fireweed contains more ascorbic acid than the well-known citrus fruits Thus, a lemon contains 6.5 times less of it, and oranges - 3 times less. Vitamin C is important for maintaining many processes in the body, it prolongs youth, as it is a strong antioxidant. The aerial part of Ivan tea is rich in carotenoids, B vitamins, tannins, flavonoids and phytosterols, as well as chlorophyll and pectins.

The leaves and flowers of the plant contain a large amount of iron, copper, manganese. These minerals are essential for hematopoiesis and metabolic processes. Fireweed also has a significant content of potassium, sodium, calcium, nickel. It should be noted that it does not contain harmful substances such as caffeine, oxalic acid, which means that Ivan-tea does not violate metabolic processes in the body.

Regular use tea improves blood composition and even increases hemoglobin levels. In addition, the presence of chlorophyll promotes wound healing, and chlorophyll molecules are also similar to human hemoglobin molecules. The plant restores the acid-base balance of the blood, the content of ascorbic acid, iron and other beneficial substances improves the hematopoietic function. Fireweed improves fat and carbohydrate metabolism, the absorption of nutrients from other products. Flavonoids provide choleretic and also diuretic effect.

Ivan tea has powerful anti-inflammatory property, in terms of efficiency, it surpasses oak bark, bear ears. plant in short time stops inflammatory processes, due to the presence of flavonoids, tannins, carotenoids, vitamin C. The anti-inflammatory effect is provided due to the presence of tannins in the composition of the plant. Vitamins A, B, C, K, P strengthen the vascular walls and normalize the functioning of the nervous system. These substances improve the condition of the skin.

The plant is especially useful for male body, to improve the function of the prostate gland, effectively increases potency. Fireweed has long been considered a herb useful for men, and was used to treat diseases of the genitourinary system and male impotence. The plant prevents the degeneration of adenoma into an oncological condition. Ivan-tea also has a diuretic effect, which will be useful for people with high blood pressure.

tea renders positive impact on gastrointestinal tract , it envelops the stomach, protects the mucous membrane, heals ulcers. In addition, Ivan-tea relieves constipation and improves intestinal microflora. Tea is also effective food poisoning. The plant can be used for flatulence, ulcers, gastritis, colitis, and simply to improve digestive processes.

Use in cooking

In cooking, fireweed is used in different ways.

Young shoots and leaves of the plant are great for making salads. Before cooking, the leaves are thoroughly washed, then scalded with boiling water and finely chopped.

In the Caucasus, the rhizomes of this plant are also eaten. From the rhizome of fireweed, flour is obtained, which is then added when baking bread.

However, in Rus' from time immemorial, fireweed was used for brewing healing tea. This drink quenches thirst well and has restorative effect. It can be taken both hot and cold. Ivan tea lovers say that a properly brewed drink from it is several times superior to Ceylon or indian tea premium. Unlike traditional tea drinks, "bogatyr tea" retains its useful and taste qualities 2-3 days brewed.

How to brew?

Fireweed tea is brewed using a special technology. First you need to collect young leaves, then dry them, scald them, grind them in a trough and dry them again (traditionally this was done in a Russian oven). After drying, the leaves should be rubbed again. For one serving of tea, it will be enough to pour 3 tablespoons of the resulting mass with boiling water and insist for half an hour.

The benefits of fireweed (willow tea) and treatment

The benefits of Ivan tea were known even to Russian healers. The plant is useful for people with vegetative-vascular dystonia, as well as those suffering from headaches and migraines. Regular consumption of this drink is good prevention of peptic ulcer, cystitis, malignant tumors. Since tea does not contain caffeine and substances harmful to the body, it can be consumed by pregnant women and children. In addition, tea improves immunity. Also used for medicinal purposes Bee Honey from fireweed.

"Bogatyr tea" is used to normalize blood pressure, get rid of headaches. A cup of tea will do just fine alcohol poisoning, insomnia, calm the nervous system. Tea is good for digestion, it contains mucus, which relieve inflammation, pain and cramps. The plant is recommended for use by people with cancer, at one time the pharmaceutical industry even produced the drug "Hanerol" from the inflorescences of this plant, the drug had an antitumor focus.

Harm of fireweed (willow tea) and contraindications

Ivan tea can harm the body with individual intolerance. The drink has no strict contraindications, it can be taken by pregnant women and children.