Russian pride Ivan-tea or everything about the plant: how it looks and where it grows. Ivan-tea - a useful plant with miraculous properties

Even from the name it is clear that the plant is possible. This was done in Russia until the 20th century. Moreover, the grass was not only dried, but also fermented, as happens with tea leaves in India and China. After such processing, the drink acquired a delicate fruity taste and bright aroma. Ivan tea was used not only within the country, but also exported to Europe, where it was highly valued.

Our ancestors called Ivan-tea "the elixir of youth", which can cure almost all diseases. To date about 70 microelements were found in it, which is 2/3 of the periodic table. The herb can be brewed up to 5 times without sacrificing taste and nutritional qualities.

It is a pity that today only herbalists and pharmacists remember about the medicinal plant. For the most part, we don’t even know what Ivan tea looks like. Well, let's get to know each other again.

Fireweed narrow-leaved, aka Koporye tea: description of the plant

In botanical circles, willowherb is better known as narrow-leaved fireweed (Epilóbium angustifolium) from the fireweed family.

It is a herbaceous perennial, 0.5–1 m high.(some specimens can reach up to 2 m).

Dense, stiff stems are densely covered with narrow, lanceolate leaves, reminiscent of willows. Hence one of the popular names of the plant - "willow-grass" or "plakun". The stem is crowned with a brush of large, light cherry (occasionally white) flowers, which are recognized as one of the best honey plants.

Thanks to the developed root system with a large number of additional buds, Ivan-tea reproduces rapidly in a vegetative way, covering large spaces. Fireweed meadows can be seen from afar - among the green grasses they seem to burn with a living, purple glow.

History pages

In Rus', since ancient times, healing infusions have been prepared from fireweed angustifolia. And in monasteries, it was used as an alternative to imported Chinese tea, which, as you know, has strong tonic properties. The advantage of fireweed is that it does not contain caffeine.

In the XVIII century, the landowner Savelov, through his man, who served at the Russian embassy in China, learned the secret of the fermentation of tea leaves. And he organized home production in his own estate near Koporye near St. Petersburg, where fireweed was processed in a similar way. Ivan-tea leaves were also withered, rolled by hand until juice was released, and then dried in Russian ovens.

The product was called "Koporsky tea" (koporka).

I must say that the places where Savelov's estate was located were unusually rich in fireweed. In the 13th century, the Koporskaya fortress was located here, which was liberated from the German knights by Alexander Nevsky. Resting after exhausting battles, the great commander reinforced his strength with healing tea from fireweed, collected by local monks. According to legend, the prince liked the fragrant drink so much that he turned to the inhabitants of the fortress with a request to further develop the herbal trade here.

It turns out that Savelov's tea factory did not appear out of nowhere. And although later the production was expanded and moved to Moscow, the former name for tea was preserved. Koporka was not inferior to Chinese counterparts in taste and aroma, but it cost several times cheaper. Often, fireweed was used to falsify expensive tea from the Middle Kingdom, and few gourmets discovered a substitution.

In the middle of the 19th century, the popularity of the koporka began to wane. Although it was still in demand among Europeans, in Russia, suppliers of real Chinese tea achieved significant restrictions on the production of fireweed drinks.

Where does it grow

Today, we are gradually reviving interest in Ivan-tea. This plant is so widespread in the European part of Russia, Siberia, the Caucasus and the Far East that it would be simply unreasonable not to use its healing properties.

Most often, fireweed can be found in light pine or deciduous forests, floodplains, along highways and railways, in clearings. Grass also grows next to cultivated crops, as well as around summer cottages. Ivan-tea appears first on forest fires, “revitalizing” the earth for other plant species. Only its seeds can withstand the excessive heat and depletion of the soil, which is typical for areas affected by fire. For this property, Ivan-tea was nicknamed "fireman", "garevik" and "fiery grass" among the people.

If we talk about harvesting, then it is best to collect a valuable plant in meadows near water bodies or on open hills, away from roads and industrial enterprises.

When it blooms

It is known that Ivan tea harvested during the flowering period, when the concentration of nutrients in it reaches its peak.

This happens from about mid-July to the end of August - the timing may vary, depending on the region of growth.

Why did it get such a name or in the footsteps of legends

The popular name of the narrow-leaved fireweed is so unusual that involuntarily there is a desire to learn more about it. So, why Ivan-tea? There are several answers to this question, but only one of them seems really plausible.

Koporye tea, which we talked about above, was exported to many European countries, in particular England, Denmark, Prussia and France. Maybe, the name "Ivan-tea", as a synonym for Russian tea, came from there. This assumption is supported by the fact that in Ancient Rus' the fireweed had completely different names, for example, “Red Color”, “Stepnik”, “Khmyzok”, “Yarovnik”, “Petushkovy apples”, “Bogoroditskaya grass”.

According to the second, less common version, they tried to isolate the popular fireweed drink in this way from real tea supplied from China so that there would be no confusion. After all, the properties and cost of the product were completely different.

Some etymologists suggest that "Ivan" comes from "willow", and the letter "n" was added later. Well, it could very well be. After all, "willow-tea" is one of the ancient Russian names for fireweed.

There is also a less realistic story of the name of the plant, which is more like a fairy tale.

The legend of the missing Ivan

There once lived a young herbalist in one of the Russian villages. His name was Ivan. The young man knew a lot about medicinal plants and often wandered around the area, preparing the raw materials he needed. He wore a shirt of a beautiful purple color, which stood out brightly against the background of a green meadow. Seeing this "light" from afar, the villagers said to each other: "Ivan, the tea went for herbs again."

After some time, the young man disappeared without a trace. What happened to him, the legend is silent. But in those places where he often wandered, beautiful purple flowers grew, which they called Ivan-chai. Plants proved to be difficult and could heal many ailments. This is the mark left by the young herbalist Ivan.

Other plant names

The Russian people gave the narrow-leaved fireweed a lot of colorful names that best reflect its beneficial properties and characteristics.

We have already listed some of them. And here is the continuation of the list:

• mother liquor- fireweed helps with "female" diseases, stops uterine bleeding, eliminates the pathological processes of the reproductive system.
• Drymukha The plant was named for its pronounced sedative effect.
• Khlebnitsa (Melnichnik) speaks of a connection with the bakery industry. Indeed, a powder was made from the roots of the plant, which was added to flour to saturate it with trace elements and vitamins. As a result, bread and other pastries were more fragrant and tasty. In addition, sweetish roots replaced sugar.
• Wild hemp (flax)- the stems of Ivan-tea were processed and made into coarse yarn or weaved ropes. Fireweed cloth was considered healing, they tied the head with migraines or the lower back during bouts of sciatica.
• Down jacket also an apt name. Cotton wool was made from the numerous soft fibers that surrounded the seeds of the plant, replacing traditional cotton. Also, the abundant fluff of fireweed was used for stuffing featherbeds and pillows.
• Vinohod- the ground root of Ivan-tea was used for the manufacture of light alcoholic beverages.
• Boron potion the plant was called healers, thereby emphasizing its exceptional healing properties.
• Skripun, violinist (plakun)- when it is plucked, fireweed makes a characteristic groaning sound.

Where else is fireweed used

An aromatic tea is brewed from the leaves of the plant, the root is dried and ground into flour. What other parts of the plant are edible?

Salads are prepared from young shoots and leaves., and when boiled, they successfully replace delicacy asparagus. Fresh roots are used to make vegetarian soups.

Flowers are added to tea. In addition, fireweed gives excellent honey, which retains all the healing properties of the plant.

But Ivan tea is used not only in cooking. It is beautiful and can be planted in gardens or flowerbeds as an ornamental plant. The branched root system makes fireweed suitable for fixing railway embankments and quarries.

It is also an excellent livestock silo.

Description.

Herb Ivan tea narrow-leaved or narrow-leaved fireweed is a perennial medicinal herbaceous plant 1.5-2 m high from the fireweed family. The stem of the plant is unbranched, smooth, straight. The leaves are lanceolate, alternate, covered with bluish pubescence below, dark green above. The flowers form inflorescences in the form of a brush up to 0.45 m long, pink-crimson. The fruit of the plant is a long box. Blooms in June - August.

Spreading.

Fireweed is distributed throughout Russia. It grows in clearings, forest clearings, roadsides, forest edges.

Ivan tea - preparation.

For medicinal purposes, the tops of the stems of Ivan-tea angustifolia and the leaves of the plant are used. Grass is stored during flowering.

Ivan tea - drying.

Dry in ventilated rooms or in the open air in the shade, spreading out in one layer. The shelf life of finished raw materials is 24 months.

Grass Ivan tea photo.

Chemical composition.

The leaves of the fireweed plant contain organic acids, macro- and microelements, tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, pectin, sugars, carotene, vitamin C.

pharmacological properties.

Preparations of willow-herb tea have a strong enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect, which is explained by the mucus and tannins in the plant. It also has antitumor and sedative properties.

Application.

An aqueous infusion of herb Ivan-tea angustifolia helps with nervous disorders, and with gastrointestinal diseases. The infusion of the plant is used for both stomach and gastritis.

An alcoholic or aqueous extract of fireweed angustifolia inhibits the inflammatory process and has a healing effect on chronic and acute diseases, chronic and inflammation of the ureters.

Nutritional use.

Many meals. With it, you can cook salads, mashed potatoes, cakes, cereals, and also cook, fry. Have you tried? Be sure to try!

Ivan tea - preparation.

Infusion with adenoma.

With 2 cups of boiling water, brew 2-3 teaspoons of narrow-leaved fireweed, leave for 5 minutes, drain the infusion through gauze. Drink a glass in the evening 30 minutes before bedtime and in the morning on an empty stomach.

Infusion for chronic prostatitis.

Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. a spoonful of herb fireweed angustifolia, leave for 2 hours, drain through gauze. Drink three times a day 25 minutes before meals, 1/3 cup.

Infusion for gastrointestinal diseases.

Pour 10 g of fireweed herb with a glass of boiling water, insist
2 hours, drain through cheesecloth. Drink three times a day for 1 tbsp. spoon. When using the infusion as an enveloping agent, it is not filtered.

Infusion with fatigue, fatigue.

0.5 liters of boiling water pour 2 tbsp. tablespoons herb fireweed angustifolium, bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Insist half an hour. Drink 30 minutes before meals three times a day for a third of a glass.

Infusion for external use.

Pour a glass of boiling water over 1 tbsp. a spoonful of fireweed herb, leave for an hour, drain through gauze. Rinse your mouth with inflammation of the oral mucosa.

A decoction for atherosclerosis.

Pour 2 tablespoons of fireweed herb with a glass of boiling water, boil for a quarter of an hour, cool, drain through gauze. Use three times a day for a tablespoon. Grind fresh willow-tea leaves, apply the resulting mass to the wound, bandage it.

Ivan tea - contraindications.

Individual intolerance. The fireweed plant is not contraindicated during pregnancy.

Ivan tea (fireweed) is a unique plant with a large number of healing and magical properties.

There are many legends about this plant. One of them is related to the origin of the name. Once upon a time, a boy lived in a village. He always wore a red shirt and liked to roll in the green grass.

When people passed by, they noticed his red shirt among the greenery and said, “Yes, this is Ivan, tea, wandering.”

It so happened that the redness in the green grass became associated with Ivan. And the plant, with bright red flowers that looked so much like this guy's shirt, began to be called Ivan-tea.

The healing properties of Ivan-tea

We can say that Ivan tea is a medicinal plant with a wide range of beneficial effects on the human body.

Ivan tea contains a huge amount vitamin C. As you know, this is the vitamin of youth. There is much more of it in Ivan-tea than in wild rose. This plant contains many trace elements important for the body: iron, copper, nickel, magnesium, potassium, manganese, calcium, etc. You can talk about its beneficial properties for a very long time, so we will focus on the most basic healing capabilities of the plant.

• Ivan tea is a strong tonic and tonic. It strengthens the immune system and makes us healthy and vigorous.
• The plant well cleanses the body of toxins and toxins.
• Has antipyretic properties.
• Restores strength after a long illness.
• It purifies the blood, reduces intoxication in oncological diseases.
• Increases male power.
• Helps with anemia (anemia)
• Gives energy and energy boost due to high protein content.
• Helps with improper functioning of the stomach and intestines. It is useful to drink it for gastritis, colitis, ulcers and flatulence. It also helps with poisoning.
• Ivan tea is an excellent antidepressant. It is useful to drink it to calm and eliminate anxieties and worries.
• The plant normalizes the pressure.
• Strengthens hair and restores its structure.



Ivan tea: contraindications

Unfortunately, the infusion and tea of ​​this miraculous plant is not useful for everyone. Like any other drug, Ivan tea has contraindications. The use of infusions and decoctions from Ivan-tea is contraindicated for children under 6 years of age.

Ivan-tea should be drunk with caution during pregnancy and while breastfeeding. Before use, it is better to consult a doctor first.

With prolonged use(more than 1 month without interruption) possible violations of the liver, stomach and intestines. So it is worth taking breaks in the use of this medicinal plant.

Do not abuse Ivan tea for people suffering increased blood clotting, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.



When to collect Ivan tea and how to dry it

The collection of Ivan tea traditionally begins with the Ivan Kupala holiday (July 7). The plant should be dried on wide trays in ventilated rooms. The roots and flowers of the plant are mainly used.

The magical properties of Ivan tea

In addition to medicinal properties, Ivan tea also has magical powers.

• If you smell the flower of this plant, then you can quickly restore energy and recharge your batteries.
• Good luck in career and money bring dried leaves of Ivan-tea. Dried leaves are best put with your favorite book or work notebook to always carry them with you.

Ivan-chai has the greatest healing and magical power in July. Hurry up to collect this miraculous plant. If you want to know - read about it on our website! Good luck and don't forget to press the buttons and

01.07.2015 09:54

Wormwood has always been considered a very powerful magical weapon against evil spirits and dark forces. This is a plant with a peculiar aroma...

The benefits of fireweed flowers or Ivan tea are valued in folk and traditional medicine. They have a pleasant sweetish aroma and a lot of useful substances in the composition. Flowers are used fresh and dried in cooking, cosmetology, and treatment. In order not to pass by such a find, we will find out what Ivan-tea flowers look like and how they can be useful.

Description of Ivan tea flower

The narrow-leaved fireweed or Ivan-tea grows in open and sunny places, chooses dry land. From mid-June, flowering begins, a bunch with small buds appears at the top of the stem. The color of Ivan-tea flowers varies from light pink to snow-white. Most often there are petals of a soft purple hue, which is why fireweed from afar can be mistaken for lavender. The flowering period lasts a month, in conditions of moderate temperature, the petals do not fall for up to 45 days.

What does Ivan tea flower look like:

• four-membered bud, divided into four petals, the same number of stamens and sepals
• in diameter each flower is not more than 3.5 cm
• petals are not pubescent, oval, sometimes pointed towards the outer edge
• all buds are placed on the upper brush of the stem, the length of such a brush reaches 45 cm

Ivan-tea flowers are honey plants, in the center of the bud there is a row of pollen grains. When touched, they leave a light yellow trail. Ivan-tea flowers fall by the end of August, in their place boxes with seeds appear.

At the peak of flowering, fireweed angustifolium emits a honey-floral aroma. After collection and processing, the smell of inflorescences is slightly muffled and changes. When dried, fireweed flowers acquire a grassy aroma with tropical notes. Thanks to this property, willow flowers are widely used for brewing as an alternative to traditional tea.

Interesting fact: during the collection of fireweed can be confused with plakun-grass. Her inflorescences are also located closer to the top of the stem, the shade of the flowers is similar, the height of the plant coincides with Ivan-tea. You can distinguish them by the number of petals: fireweed has 4 of them, and plakun-grass has 5-6 petals. In order not to collect useless herbs, study the photo of Ivan-tea flowers.

All parts of fireweed angustifolium are used for recreational purposes. The green parts contain a lot of iron, vitamin C and B vitamins. Ivan-tea flowers contain hanerol, a high-molecular compound that is used to combat inflammation. The same substance is being tested in the field of oncology treatment.

Nutritional value of fireweed per 100 grams:

The chemical composition of Ivan-tea flowers:

• B vitamins: B9, B12, B6
• vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
• vitamin K
• retinol
• iron
• magnesium
• molybdenum
• potassium
• manganese

In addition to the vitamin range and minerals, fresh petals contain mucus, flavonoids and fiber. They help with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cleanse the intestines and improve its motility. B vitamins have a beneficial effect on the nervous system, improve the cognitive functions of the brain. The positive effect of taking fireweed in mental disorders has been proven by the Russian Scientific Center of Neurology. Depending on how the Ivan tea flower looks, the composition may vary. For example, white petals have fewer vitamins but more mucus, while purple petals contain more iron.

Useful properties of Ivan-tea flowers for the body:

• for the nervous system: have a sedative effect, improve sleep, reduce anxiety
• for the genitourinary system: reduce inflammation, are used for prostatitis and cystitis, normalize the menstrual cycle
• for the gastrointestinal tract: envelop the mucous membrane, reduce pain in gastritis and ulcers, have a slight laxative effect
• for the cardiovascular system: strengthen blood vessels and heart muscle, magnesium in the composition of Ivan-tea flowers improves heart function
• for the whole body: used as a natural antioxidant, remove free radicals, increase the supply of vitamins

There are not many contraindications for Ivan-tea flowers. It should not be taken if an allergic reaction is detected, with low blood clotting, urolithiasis. During pregnancy, against the background of gastrointestinal dysfunction, you should consult a doctor before taking Ivan tea. For some chronic diseases, it is forbidden to take medicinal herbs on your own, check with your doctor if you can have Ivan tea. Children under 6 years of age are not recommended to give fireweed flowers.

Interesting fact: In Canada, a pharmaceutical company has patented the substance enotein B, which local scientists have isolated from willow-herb inflorescences. The component showed a good anti-inflammatory effect with virtually no contraindications. Today, this substance is isolated from fireweed flowers to create medical cosmetics.

The use of Ivan tea flowers

Beautiful and fragrant Ivan-tea flowers are used as a decoration, an additive to tea, a medicine. Within 4 days, cut brushes with inflorescences will stand in water and will not lose their aroma and appearance. But, given the mass of useful properties, fireweed flowers are rarely used for decoration, in most cases they are prepared from a decoction or dried for harvesting.

A decoction of fresh flowers

If you cook fresh fireweed petals in a water bath, you get a healing decoction with anti-inflammatory and sedative effects.

Boil 3 tablespoons of flowers in 0.5 liters of water in a water bath for 15 minutes. Then cover and set aside to cool slowly in a warm place. Strain the cooled broth through clean gauze or a fine strainer.

How to use : for insomnia and headaches, drink 100 ml of decoction 30 minutes before meals. For pain in the throat, gargle with a decoction of the throat 3-4 times a day. Broth to use slightly warmed up.

Dried flower infusion

Such a drink will bring both gastronomic pleasure and benefits to the body. If desired, willow-herb leaves can be added to the dried petals.

Boil 250 ml of water and leave to cool slightly for 10 minutes (water should be + 80-85 degrees). Pour hot water over 2 teaspoons of dried willow-herb flowers and cover tightly. Leave the mixture to infuse for 15-20 minutes. It is not necessary to filter.

How to use : drink 1-2 cups a day for ulcers, gastritis, enteritis. For sound sleep and colds, take 250 ml warm at bedtime.

Most people with a healthy lifestyle are well aware of how willow-herb flowers look and how they are useful. Small purple inflorescences with four petals are a treasure for the central nervous system, gastrointestinal tract and immunity. The sooner you get to know this plant, the more benefits you can get from it.

Source

Wikipedia: Ivan-tea narrow-leaved

Video "How to collect Ivan-tea flowers"

Ivan Chai plant is widespread both in folk and traditional medicine. It attracts the attention of people not only with its beneficial properties, but also with beautiful flowering shoots.

So what kind of plant is Ivan tea? For what purposes is it used and what are its positive properties? Read more about this in our article.

plant description

Ivan-tea is a herbaceous plant belonging to the fireweed family. The plant is tall, grows up to 1.5 m in height (in some areas up to 2 m). It has long narrow lanceolate leaves.

Flowers are medium in size and can range in color from red to white or pink. Inflorescences are collected on the top of the plant. Ivan tea blooms for a long time, up to 3 months (from June to August). The root system is sprawling, creeping.

According to legend, the Ivan-tea plant has been known since the 12th century. It was popular, and was available to both the lower and upper classes. But only a century later, the Ivan-tea plant became a traditional drink and received a different name - Koporsky Ivan-tea.

Its name comes from the area where the monks first began to harvest it - the medieval settlement of Koporye, located in the province of St. Petersburg, discovered by Nevsky Alexander. After some time, Koporye tea began to be imported abroad, for example, to England, France and other large European countries. The people believed that Ivan tea was not only a storehouse of all kinds of vitamins and trace elements, it was also attributed magical properties.

Growth area

The main area of ​​plant growth falls on the central part of Russia and the areas bordering it. Ivan-chai is a light-loving plant, so it grows mainly on forest edges, hills, near roads and trails. The plant does not tolerate high humidity, so it is pointless to look for it near water bodies and swamps, as well as in a dense forest.

Chemical composition

It is very diverse, because it was not in vain that since ancient times it was revered and considered a healing drink. In modern times, people have learned to collect and harvest grass, while maintaining a maximum of healing properties for the body.

Microelements contained in the plant:

• sodium;
• copper;
• iron;
• calcium;
• manganese;
• nickel;
• titanium;
• lithium;
• molybdenum;
• potassium.

In fact, there are much more microelements contained in narrow-leaved fireweed. Above are the main components, the content of which is maximum in it. They contribute to the restoration of blood circulation in the human body and the normal function of hematopoiesis.

Vitamins:

• vitamin C;
• group A vitamins;
• B group vitamins.

In addition, it contains no less important components:

• pectin;
• tannins;
• tannins;
• sugar;
• alkaloids;

In the green leaves of fireweed marsh there is a protein that nourishes the body with vital energy.

Note: fireweed is valued for its lack of caffeine and acids such as uric and oxalic. They, as a rule, have a bad effect on the digestive system and the metabolism in the body.

All of the above turns, at first glance, an ordinary flower into a plant with extraordinary qualities. In folk and traditional medicine, fireweed is used to make fortifying teas, decoctions, infusions, and even lotions and compresses.

Ivan tea properties

Due to the fact that Ivan tea contains many different substances and elements, the scope of its application is quite large. Among the properties provided, the following can be noted:

• antibacterial;
• astringents;
• anti-inflammatory;
• enveloping;
• sedatives;
• sweatshops;
• restorative;
• tonic.

The range of application of narrow-leaved fireweed is wide. It is recommended to drink decoctions for diseases such as gastritis, ulcers, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, indigestion, etc. Infusions are made from both leaves and inflorescences. They are used for insomnia (as a mild sleeping pill and sedative).