The name Ivan-tea is familiar to many. But its official name is angustifolia fireweed. The following names are also found: male grass, dremukha, plakun, bread-maker, skrypnik. But with any of the names, this plant is widely used in medicine. Traditional medicine has also recognized its beneficial qualities. How is grass useful for our body and can it cause harm?
Ivan-tea description
This herb is often used by traditional healers. However, ordinary people can collect and prepare it for making drinks.
The grass grows up to 50-150 cm high. It is distinguished by a straight stem with a simple or branching upper part. The leaves of the plant are alternate, lanceolate. They may be sessile or have a short petiole. They reach 5-12 cm in length and no more than 2 cm in width. The upper surface of the leaf is dark green, and the lower surface has a bluish tint.
Buds may form at the rhizome. They provide active vegetative propagation.
Flowers are collected in inflorescences of the apical variety. They can be different in length - 10-45 cm. They are distinguished by a double four-membered perianth, dark red sepals and pink corollas. Fireweed has ovoid petals, and its flowers contain 8 stamens.
The medicinal herb blooms in June-September, although the flowers ripen already in July. The fruits are presented as pod-like pubescent capsules with a large number of seeds. Ivan tea is distributed throughout the Northern Hemisphere. Prefers dry sandy areas in light forests. It can grow on the edges, in the area of ditches, and near reservoirs.
Varieties: what is found in nature
Like many other crops, fireweed has its own varieties. It is worth considering them separately so that the acquaintance will be more intimate.
Mountain fireweed
The stem stands upright in one instance. In the upper part it is drooping, has a slight branching. Grows up to sixty centimeters. The leaves are egg-shaped, with teeth of varying lengths along the edges. It blooms with small flowers 5-10 mm in diameter. They have white, pink and purple tints.
The fruit looks like a box 7 cm long. If you need to collect the flowers of the plant, it is better to go for them in June and July. For seeds, the time falls at the end of July - August.
Swampy fireweed
The stalk in this representative grows singly and has a regular cylindrical shape. Reaches eighty centimeters in height. The trunk is fluffy at the top.
Leaves are short-petiolate. The length of the leaves is from two to 9 cm. The flowers are united in a small brush that grows at the very end of the stem. Shade of pink. The fruits sit in a spindle-shaped box. The seeds are small. It blooms in July and continues to delight with flowers until September.
Mountain fireweed
Where does it grow and how does it differ from other fireweed?
Interesting representative. Its stem has the shape of a cylinder, while the trunk itself is branched and erect. It is not smooth, but covered with hairs along its entire length. An adult plant grows up to one hundred and fifty centimeters.
Finely serrated leaves are classified as short-petiolate. The flowers are dark pink. The fruit is a capsule up to ten centimeters in size. There are a lot of seeds. They are small and ovoid in shape. The plant begins to bloom at the beginning of summer and ends towards the end.
Small-flowered fireweed: type, features, how to identify
The stem of this species is single and erect, covered along its entire length with small soft fibers. The leaves are oblong, may be narrowed towards the top, oval in shape. The lower leaves are opposite, and the upper ones are alternate. The flowers are not large in size, only up to one centimeter, their color is soft pink.
Fireweed small-flowered
Fireweed angustifolia
The trunk extends up to two meters. It's straight and juicy. The root is a creeping type, developed, with numerous shoots. Purple flowers are always open wide. The leaves have a very short petiole. They have an elongated shape with a sharp tip.
The flowers delight with their wide opening and bright color. They are collected in tassels at the top of the stem. The seeds of this species have a tuft and fluff. They can fly over long distances. The grass blooms from the middle of the first summer month until August, and the fruits appear at the end of July.
Compound
The healing herb is distinguished by its rich chemical composition. In its terrestrial part one can find the presence of vitamins C and B, and also contains carotenoids and polysaccharides. Ivan tea is rich in pectins, it contains components of chlorophyll, tannins (up to 20%), organic acids. The herb is rich in phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), triterpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids (including quercetin and kaempferol).
In the above-ground part of the plant, alkaloids can be isolated in small amounts, as well as individual mineral components in the form of iron, copper, and manganese. The leaves and flowers contain potassium, sodium, and calcium. The presence of magnesium, boron, nickel and titanium is observed.
But in the root there will be no tannins at all. But this part of the plant contains starch, polysaccharides, and is saturated with easily digestible proteins and organic acids. The rhizome is rich in phosphorus, calcium and cobalt in the form of salts.
The calorie content of the product is 56 kcal. The ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates is 2.4 g: 1.4 g: 9.4 g. A serving includes 5.9 g of dietary fiber and 85 g of water.
Ivan tea beneficial properties
Analysis: what is the benefit
What can be collected and used:
- There are many useful things hidden in the leaves. If you brew them and infuse them, you can use the decoction for inflammatory processes and act as a sedative. Can be used in combination with the main treatment for anemia, dysbiosis and low immunity. The extract is successfully used as a rejuvenating agent and for skin tightening.
- Analyzing the composition of the whole plant, tannins, phytosterols, triterpene acid and flavonoids are found. By making an alcohol extract or water-based infusion, you can safely hope for its high anti-inflammatory effect.
Due to its rich vitamin composition, the root is valued by doctors and chefs. It is here that ascorbic acid, sugar and tannins are found in large quantities. Alkaloids and pectins are also present here.
Dry leaves and flowers are widely used in medicine
Ivan tea: beneficial properties
To obtain a healing effect, it is recommended to use a variety of teas and infusions with this herb. These drinks help:
- Improving blood parameters, for example, restoring hemoglobin levels. At the same time, the acid-base ratio is normalized, and the quality of the hematopoietic function of the body improves.
- Increasing the level of digestibility of useful components that enter the body from the food consumed. The herb helps activate carbohydrate and lipid metabolism.
- Active anti-inflammatory and bactericidal action, increasing the effectiveness of preventive measures and the therapeutic process in the treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases.
- Restoring the functionality of the prostate gland and normalizing the functioning of the male genitourinary organs. Thanks to such effects, a man’s potency and erectile abilities increase. It is the presence of beta-sitosterol that helps a man cope with his problems.
- Providing a diuretic effect, improving blood pressure.
- Reducing excessive excitability of the central nervous system, normalizing sleep, combating insomnia and headaches. Ivan tea is an effective remedy for normalizing the psycho-emotional state and eliminating the consequences of stress disorders and depression.
- Normalization of the gastrointestinal tract. Herbal teas relieve constipation and coat the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, protecting them. Under the influence of the constituent elements, inflammation in the digestive system heals, and the balance of microflora in the intestines improves.
- Restoration of bile-forming processes, activation of bile separation.
Drinking fireweed tea in decoctions and infusions helps eliminate other disorders in the body, because:
- has antiviral and antiallergic effects;
- granulation and epithelization are activated in certain areas of the skin;
- pain relief occurs;
- lactation processes are enhanced with improved quality parameters of breast milk;
- accumulation of harmful substances – toxins and waste products – is removed from the body;
- the functioning of the endocrine mechanism is normalized;
- due to antioxidant effects, the risks of cancer disorders are minimized;
- positive effects have on the condition of the skin, helping to limit aging.
fireweed tea application
About the benefits of the plant
Fireweed is a large one and a half meter perennial with a powerful creeping rhizome, a densely leafy stem and a panicle of pink-purple flowers. From small clumps it quickly grows into entire plantations.
In herbal medicine, all parts of the plant are used, but most of the active substances are in the leaves and flowers. To prepare herbal tea, panicles are harvested at the beginning of flowering along with the apical leaves. Fermented fireweed is made only from leaves, collected before budding.
The healing potential of fireweed is due to its biochemical composition.
- The concentration of tannins (tannins) reaches 20%. They give the infusion a tart tea taste. But first of all, tannins are a natural sorbent and antiseptic that provides antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activity.
- There is 5-6 times more ascorbic acid vitamin P. The components promote the absorption of each other, have a beneficial effect on hematopoiesis and the condition of blood vessels.
- 13 minerals and trace elements have been isolated from the plant, in particular iron, manganese, copper , which have a positive effect on hematopoiesis and immunity.
- The leaves contain a lot of mucus (15%). It provides enveloping, emollient and analgesic properties.
- Glycosides strengthen the cardiovascular and nervous systems.
- The aerial part of young plants contains up to 20% proteins .
Such natural fireweed plantations exist only in Russia
Ivan tea is credited with many beneficial properties, considering it almost a panacea. The miraculous effect of the plant is most likely exaggerated, but it really brings health benefits:
- Restores and strengthens the body's natural defenses.
- Eliminates constipation, improves intestinal microflora.
- Normalizes metabolic processes.
- Promotes mucosal regeneration in gastrointestinal pathologies.
- Cleanses the blood and enriches it with iron.
- Calms and has a hypnotic effect.
Ivan tea is a productive honey plant in the middle zone. Blooms for about 2 months. Fireweed honey is light, cream-like, with a pleasant taste and delicate aroma. Like tea, it has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, sedative properties.
What vitamins are included in Ivan-tea?
Drinks, which consist of plant materials Ivan tea, are saturated with vitamin A, group B1-B9, as well as C, PP. The plant is rich in both macroelements and microelements. The composition contains phosphorus, potassium, manganese, calcium. The grass is saturated with titanium, zinc, sodium, copper and magnesium.
The presence of selenium, iron and molybdenum has a positive effect on the human body. The energy value per 100 g of product is 103 kcal. The ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates is 24.3%:31%:44.7%.
Do not forget that Ivan tea has contraindications and side effects. When using, you need to remember the following rules:
- Gastrointestinal tract dysfunction occurs when decoctions are abused;
- the presence of diseases in the area of blood clotting requires careful administration;
- contraindications to taking Ivan tea apply to children under 2-3 years of age;
- Ivan tea has some laxative effects;
- individual intolerance prohibits teas and decoctions;
- a decoction in combination with sedatives and antipyretics can negatively affect the body.
↑ Contraindications
No matter how useful the plant is, it also has general contraindications.
- Allergy and individual intolerance;
- acute course of gastrointestinal diseases;
- hypersensitive to herbal components.
Use the plant with caution when there are problems with neurology. In such cases, you need to consult a doctor.
Ivan tea is a plant that is a strong natural stimulant. When it is consumed following the rules of administration, you can not only protect your health and your loved ones, but also protect yourself from dangerous viruses and diseases.
We recommend studying: how to properly collect and dry Ivan tea at home
The impact of fireweed on the male and female body
Ivan tea for women and men
For men, Ivan tea is valuable for its qualities associated with the fight against decreased potency and sexual strength. The drink normalizes the functioning of the genitourinary system, regardless of the man’s age. It also helps restore reproductive functions.
In case of regular use of the product, it becomes possible to get rid of prostatitis and prostate adenoma. Thanks to these properties, the plant was already given the name “herb of men” in ancient times. This flower has a positive effect on the entire male body, preventing premature aging. This is due to its anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties.
The beneficial properties of Ivan tea are also necessary for the female body. The drink will help maintain youth and beauty for many years. The herb helps get rid of the manifestations of pathologies of the genitourinary system - cystitis and thrush. It also helps restore the reproductive system and normalize functions during pregnancy. For women during pregnancy, the plant is useful because it helps cope with swelling in the extremities and improves kidney function.
Pharmacological properties
The use of fireweed roots will help heal wounds and protect the gastric mucosa due to its enveloping and healing properties. The same applies to leaves. But there is one important nuance: a stronger anti-inflammatory effect is observed when drinking a decoction of crushed leaves.
Among other things, fireweed is an excellent sedative; it can reduce the risk of seizures and relieve pain. The inflorescences have pronounced cytostatic and hemagglutinating activity and antitumor effect.
Use in cosmetology
The healing properties of Ivan tea are used in cosmetology. Cosmetics manufacturers actively use the plant extract in the manufacture of skin care products. These can be creams, lotions with a cleansing effect, compositions for treating the skin during tanning, as well as special masks with hair balms.
If you manage to prepare plant materials yourself, you can use it to prepare a healing decoction. It is used as a hair rinse, which will make combing easier, give the hair softness and silkiness, and help strengthen the roots, preventing unnecessary hair loss.
An infusion of Ivan tea is suitable for cleansing skin affected by acne or pimples. True, the product must be used on a regular basis. At the same time, the tincture has an enhancing effect. It makes masks more effective.
For example, a steam bath will help at home, which should definitely be carried out before a cosmetic massage. To do this, infuse the flowers of the plant at the rate of 1 tbsp. raw materials for 1 cup of boiling water. After 5-7 minutes. The finished infusion is poured into a wide container and the face is held over the steam that is released. It is important to ensure comfort and avoid discomfort and burns. The duration of the procedure is 10 minutes. The course consists of 5-7 procedures.
An anti-inflammatory mask will also be useful. To do this, prepare a vodka tincture with the flowers of the plant. The raw materials are filled with 70% alcohol or vodka, and then kept at a temperature of +20...+24°C in the dark. After infusing for 10-15 days, you can take 10 ml of the composition and mix it with a small amount of “Extra” salt (on the tip of a knife). The result should be a mass resembling liquid sour cream. The mask is applied for 10-12 minutes. on problem areas of the skin.
Who is it suitable for: indications for use
In addition to its laxative effect and wound healing effect, other indicators are worth noting.
How it affects the body:
- improves potency;
- normalizes blood pressure and composition;
- removes migraine;
- treats food and alcohol poisoning;
- restores energy, fills the body with energy;
- fights tumors of various types;
- strengthens hair follicles;
- treats caries;
- crushes kidney stones;
- increases immunity;
- helps heal stomach ulcers;
- effectively helps with prostatitis and diseases of the genitourinary tract.
Fireweed is used for internal and external use. Ivan tea is used as tinctures, lotions, compresses, and decoctions.
With the help of baths you can treat eczema, ulcers and ulcers. If you apply crushed leaves to a wound that has not healed for a long time, this will promote healing.
For sore joints and muscles, it is recommended to prepare compresses. They quickly relieve inflammation and pain.
Migraine - indication for the use of fireweed
For arthritis, fireweed relieves pain and inflammation
Fireweed for prostatitis is one of the mandatory recommendations of doctors
Man's health
Herbalists have long claimed that fireweed helps with prostatitis and prostate adenoma. It is known that the disease causes a benign tumor to appear, which is treated with hormones and antibiotics in medical institutions. In order not to harm the body even more, tinctures of fireweed are used.
By systematically drinking tea from the stems and leaves of the plant, you can not only completely overcome the disease, but also prevent it.
For adenoma and prostatitis, it is recommended to use the following recipes for preparing decoctions:
- Adenoma can be cured by a tincture of two parts of herbs and one part of crushed hazel leaves. Mix all the ingredients, and to prepare the decoction, take 3 teaspoons of the mixture, pour 2 cups of boiling water over it, leave for 5 minutes. The recommended dose is one glass in the morning and at night.
- Prostatitis is treated with hawthorn and fireweed. Equal parts of these herbs are taken and mixed. Then the mixture in the amount of one tablespoon is poured with a glass of boiling water. Before use, the tincture must stand for 2 hours. This recipe is suitable even for those who have just undergone surgery to treat prostatitis. You should drink one third of a glass a day half an hour before meals.
- Adenoma can be defeated in this way. Pour 400 ml of hot water into a vessel, add a couple of tablespoons of dried fireweed flowers. The main condition is that the drink must be infused. After this, you can use the decoction twice a day in a glass. Keep in mind that the decoction is drunk on an empty stomach in the morning, and 20-30 minutes before bedtime in the evening.
It is also useful for women to take fireweed drinks. They are not only able to restore health, strengthen the nervous system, but also affect weight.
Fireweed is useful for both men and women
For weight loss
Women who care about their figure will not refuse to try a natural method for losing weight. Why torture yourself with pills if you can use what nature itself provides. There are several methods and recipes recommended by nutritionists and doctors. Each lady will be able to independently choose the appropriate recipe.
Thanks to its rich composition, the plant normalizes the metabolic process in the body, normalizes metabolism and cleanses the kidneys.
Ivan tea is useful for women who gain weight during pregnancy and lactation. You cannot take other drugs, but you can take natural herbs.
Tea is usually prepared for weight loss. To do this, the leaves are dried. The prepared mixtures are placed in a pan and covered with damp gauze. The leaves should be under this pressure for 10-12 hours. Modern pharmacies sell ready-made formulations, but hand-picked herbs, dried at home, contain more useful substances.
Fireweed promotes weight loss
Contraindications
As a rule, any tinctures, compresses and teas are tolerated favorably by the human body. There are some recommendations for those who do not want to use them at a certain period of life. These include individual intolerance, pregnancy and age under 12 years.
Ivan tea: application
Ivan tea application
Decoctions from this remedy are effective in treating many ailments. It is advisable to use them for preventive purposes.
If medicines from this herb are used constantly, the preventive and therapeutic effectiveness will increase for:
- iron deficiency anemia;
- gastritis with high acidity, when a stomach ulcer, colitis, enterocolitis is diagnosed;
- gallstone disease, in case of manifestations of cholecystitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis;
- diseases of the genitourinary mechanism in men and women;
- diagnosing infertility;
- hypertension, neurocircular dystonia;
- kidney ailments, bladder diseases;
- diseases of the respiratory system and respiratory canals;
- problems with the functioning of the spleen;
- diseases of a dermatological nature - in the presence of allergic type dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis, acne;
- gout;
- development of herpes.
Angustifolia fireweed is used to prepare decoctions that are effective if the patient has:
- signs of food or alcohol poisoning, digestive disorders;
- epilepsy;
- neuroses, neurosis-like conditions, hysteria, psychoses of alcohol origin, depression;
- hangover manifestations when complex therapy for alcohol dependence is in progress;
- stress abnormalities and psycho-emotional disorders;
- manifestations of chronic fatigue;
- consequences of teething and bleeding in the gums;
- deviations in the menstrual process, pain during this period;
- lymphogranulomatosis for complex treatment of the condition;
- immunodeficiency states;
- lack of vitamin C.
Ivan tea (fireweed) is used for cleansing after chemotherapy or radiation exposure. Due to their anti-inflammatory properties, the compositions can be used when instilled in the fight against manifestations of otitis, rhinitis, and sinusitis. Gargling with decoctions and infusions is useful in the treatment of diseases of the pharynx, larynx, and oral cavity, for example, this applies to cases of sore throat, laryngitis, stomatitis, gingivitis, etc.
You can use the product to wash ulcerative lesions, wounds and bedsores, and compresses will help with pain after bruises and diseases of the joint and muscle tissue. Applications with steamed leaves are effective against skin diseases.
preparing fireweed tea
Amino acids of Koporye tea
Amino acids are substances that form proteins in the human body. Without them, the life process is simply impossible. What amino acids are included in Ivan tea:
- Lysine . One of the most important proteins in the human body. After all, it is thanks to it that calcium and other amino acids are absorbed. Antibodies, hormones and collagen are also synthesized. In addition, it has an antiviral effect.
- Arginine is the basis of nitrogen metabolism. If the synthesis of arginine stops, it will negatively affect the nervous, immune, endocrine, and reproductive systems.
- Alanine affects men's health, blood glucose levels, liver and gallbladder.
- Aspartic acid activates the central nervous system.
- Valine is important for metabolism.
- Glycine will have a hypnotic effect and help with nervous shock.
- Histidine is indispensable in the treatment of liver and gastric diseases.
- Glutamic acid regulates the oxidative process in the body.
- Isoleucine . Athletes and lovers of an active lifestyle greatly appreciate it for increasing endurance.
- Leucine . Helps with recovery during the postoperative period and after injuries.
- Methionine will lower cholesterol.
- Proline . Beautiful skin is the merit of this acid, as it is responsible for the appearance of collagen.
- Serine forms enzymes and protein.
- Threonine is simply necessary for the heart muscle.
- Tyrosine . Nerve impulses occur, including due to it.
- Phenylalanine creates a good mood and allows you to lead an active lifestyle.
- Cysteine improves the health of your hair, nails and bones.
The effectiveness of tea for various pathologies
Infusions and decoctions with Ivan tea help strengthen the body's immune system and increase its resistance to ARVI. To prepare the product, you need to squeeze the juice from the young leaves and the apical part of the stem. Use 1/2-1 tbsp of juice, first mixing with honey. Number of receptions - up to 4.
To prevent male diseases, for example, prostatitis, adenoma or bladder pathologies, it is better to use tincture from rhizomes. You need to take 50 g of dry raw material, grind it and pour 40% alcohol into a volume of 1/2 liter. Leave for 2 weeks, then strain and consume 25-30 drops. in 20 minutes before meals for 14 days.
Notes
- For the convention of indicating the class of dicotyledons as a superior taxon for the group of plants described in this article, see the section “APG Systems” of the article “Dicotyledons”.
- Information about the genus Epilobium
Index Nominum Genericorum
database of the International Association for Plant Taxonomy (IAPT). - Genus: Chamerion (Raf.) Raf. ex Holub. GRIN.
- Genus: Chamaenerion Seg.. GRIN.
- Epilobium
(English). The Plant List. Version 1.1. (2013). Retrieved October 22, 2021. - Vatolin D.
About honey and not only about it // Science and life. - 2008. - No. 11. - P. 126. - Abrikosov Kh. N. et al.
Blend of honey // Dictionary-reference book for beekeepers / comp. N. F. Fedosov. - M.: Selkhozgiz, 1955. - P. 161.
Basic rules for preparing tea
Preparation of Ivan tea
In the central and southern regions of the Russian Federation, Ivan tea blooms from the end of June to the end of July. To make tea, you need to prepare the leaves, although the flowers are also used. Leaves should be collected when the plant is flowering - approximately from the end of June. The collection period ends at the beginning of August. It is advisable to go for collection in the morning hours on dry days, when the dew drops have dried.
It is important to choose clean and litter-free areas, away from city limits and highways. The best option would be a clearing in close proximity to a forest area or forest plantation. Since the plant prefers to grow in sunny areas, it can be found in open meadows and forest edges.
One should distinguish from Ivan tea its variety - wild fireweed. This plant can negatively affect a person’s well-being. If Ivan tea grows to 70-200 cm in height, then fireweed is usually very small - only 15 cm. Clean and healthy leaves are suitable for harvesting. Samples that show signs of damage or contamination should not be taken.
During the collection process, it is allowed to pluck or cut off the stems in the middle zone, and the leaves can be harvested at home. But you should not pull out the plant with its rhizome - it is important to preserve the root system for subsequent growth. The stem is pinched between the fingers, and then the hand is drawn from top to bottom. As a result, all the necessary leaves will be in your hand. If a few flowers are captured, it’s not a big deal. The cut leaves are placed in a cloth bag.
The collected leaves must be washed to remove dust. After this, they are scattered in a shaded and dry area. Use cloth or clean paper as bedding. The leaves are dried during the day. You need to wait until they dry out a little. The crop is stirred periodically to prevent drying out.
At the next stage, the fermentation process occurs, as a result of which the leaves produce cell sap. To do this, take several dried leaves and lay them out on the surface of the palm. After this, they are twisted into knots or tubes. As a result, they begin to get wet, releasing juice.
The nodules and tubes are then placed in an enamel container. This is done in layers of 5 cm. After this, all raw materials are covered with a damp cloth, and the container is transferred to a warm place. It is recommended to press the leaves on top. They are kept for 8-20 hours in compliance with the temperature regime from +25 to +27°C.
Growing and care on the site
Ivan tea can be grown in a summer cottage. This plant is famous not only for its medicinal properties, it is also visually attractive. There are two popular methods of growing fireweed.
From seeds
You can buy seeds or prepare them yourself. Collection time is early autumn, 1-2 months after the perennial blooms. The seeds must be thoroughly dried, removing fluff from them. Store in a dry, dark place.
For seedlings, seeds are sown in boxes in early spring. The seeds are very small; if they are sown immediately in the ground, they will be washed away by rain or blown by the wind. The soil for planting needs loose, light soil. Mix river sand, humus and peat in equal proportions. It is not recommended to deepen the seeds; it is better to scatter them over the surface of the soil substrate and “water” them generously from a spray bottle. Cover the box with glass or film and place in a warm place (the temperature for germination should be at least +20 degrees). The first shoots will hatch in about five days.
The seedlings dive when two true leaves appear. Planted in open ground in the first days of summer. Before planting, the seedlings are hardened off by placing them in fresh air for 3 days.
Tip: seedlings should be planted on a cloudy day (preferably in the rain). In the sun, young plants will wither and may even die.
Vegetatively
A simpler method, unlike the previous one. The perennial grows in forest clearings, along roads, and near reservoirs. You can dig up its roots and plant it on your site.
The root system of the medicinal crop is spreading, so it is better to dig it up with a lump of earth. The rhizome is placed in a shallow hole, where humus, sand and ash are first added. After planting, water thoroughly. The top of the soil is mulched with straw or dried grass.
Fireweed transplanted in this way quickly takes root in its new location.
Caring for a flower is not difficult.
The rules of care are as follows:
- the place for growing perennials must be sufficiently lit;
- Water sparingly, depending on the weather. Once a week in the evening or morning during intense heat. A plant from a meadow usually gets enough rain;
- loosen the soil after watering once a month;
- One mineral fertilizing per season is enough;
- for the winter, the stem of the fireweed is cut off, leaving a petiole 15 cm long from the soil;
- A good place for planting is near a fence or outbuilding, in which case the plant will not be damaged by the wind.
Tip: Fireweed grows very quickly. To prevent it from extending beyond the designated area, it must be fenced underground. To do this, iron sheets or slate are dug along the perimeter of the flowerbed to a depth of about 1 meter.
Ivan tea blooms in the second year no matter how it is planted. Flowering period: end of June – mid-August. The pubescent seeds ripen after flowering. To prevent the seeds from being blown across the garden plot by the wind, they must be cut off before they ripen.
Insect pests do not grow on fireweed; it also has good immunity to diseases. Ivan tea improves the condition of the soil on which it grows.
Cooking methods
Infusions of fireweed and decoctions from it are used for oral administration, but rinsing, washing and compresses are carried out using decoctions.
To prepare an infusion of herbs, you need to take 1 tbsp. dry raw materials and add boiling water in 1 glass. The composition is left for 12-15 minutes and then filtered. You can use the product 2 times a day. The course of treatment is up to 1 month. followed by a break for 1-1.5 months.
For children, the dosage of the infusion is reduced:
- at the age of 6-8 years - no more than 1 tbsp. twice a day;
- at the age of 8-14 years - in a dosage of 50 ml twice a day.
The decoction is prepared from 2 tbsp. dry raw materials, which should be filled with 200 ml of boiling water. Then the composition is brought to a boil and cooked for a quarter of an hour over low heat. Leave for up to 1.5 hours, followed by filtering. Adults take the composition 1 tbsp. It is best to drink the product before meals, no more than three times a day.
↑ How to drink fireweed angustifolia correctly
There is no general rule for drinking fireweed. After all, each of us has an individual body. Tea or infusion is best absorbed warm, not hot.
It is recommended to consume it before meals. The thing is that fireweed stimulates the production of digestive enzymes.
Important! There is no need to drink infusion or herbal tea frequently. Otherwise, you can provoke diarrhea and other side effects.
Can I drink it daily?
You can drink tea every day only when a person is undergoing a course of treatment. After completing the course there is a break. And if necessary, the treatment is repeated.
Just drinking tea three times a day every day is not recommended.
If as a preventative measure, drinking 200 ml of weakly brewed tea once a day is allowed.
Is it possible to drink herbal tea before bed?
Tea from angustifolia fireweed is even recommended before bed! Tea can relax, calm, and relieve daytime stress and tension.
Sleep will be deep and recovery will be complete. There is no need to read or surf the Internet after drinking tea at night. Just take a bath, meditate and go to bed so that melatonin production is not disrupted.
Infusion of Ivan tea
infusion of Ivan tea
The beneficial properties of Ivan tea make it an effective remedy in the treatment of many diseases. There are several ways to brew this plant:
- Pour boiling water over the dry plant material and leave inside the kettle for 12-15 minutes. After this, you need to shake the mixture so that the drink is saturated with essential oils.
- Fireweed is brewed using the Chinese pouring method. If you take a 150 ml gaiwan, you will need to prepare 1 tbsp. herbs. Every 30-40 seconds. make straits, defending the collection.
- During the brewing process, you can pour the plant shoots into a container and pour cold water, covering the raw material by 7-10 cm. Bring the broth to a boil over low heat, and then 15 minutes. leave to infuse.
Ivan tea can also be used to prepare tinctures. To do this you will need 1 liter of 40-45% moonshine, 2 tbsp. dry raw materials, 1 tsp. honey All components are mixed in a jar and filled with moonshine. Infuse the mixture for 3-4 days, filter and pour into containers.
You can get an aromatic citrus-flavored drink from the following ingredients:
- 1 liter of vodka;
- 10 g dried apples;
- 10 grams of dried flowers of Ivan tea;
- 1 tsp honey;
- 1 gr. lemon and orange zest.
All components are mixed, poured with vodka and kept in the dark for 3 days. After this, you can strain the composition and consume.
The tincture will taste good if you add ginger and thyme to it. The drink is also complemented with:
- moonshine – 500 ml;
- Ivan-Chaya inflorescences - 1 tbsp;
- honey – 1 tsp;
- ginger root – 30 g;
- lemon – 1⁄2 pcs.;
- thyme - 1 sprig.
The inflorescences can be taken fresh. At the same time, they are crushed, and the ginger is peeled and cut into half-centimeter cubes. After removing the zest from the lemon, squeeze out the juice and mix it with other ingredients. Then the mixture is poured with alcohol and left for 5 days.
How to dry at home
There are several types of drying - using an oven, electric dryer. But first you need to do fermentation; many people don’t do this, and it’s in vain that tea is famous for this.
So the fermentation is similar to fermentation. Many people manage to do fermentation through a meat grinder, and also freeze it in the freezer. But we will take a different path, as our ancestors did. To do this, you need to lay it out where there is no sun in a ventilated place for about a day. Then you take the leaves in your hands and rub it, as if you were twisting it so that the juice comes out, put it in a bucket and leave it in a cool place for another day, or even two. At the end, the finest aroma of tea leaves will appear. After fermentation, place it in a ventilated place or you can use an oven or electric dryer, I recommend leaving it in a ventilated place, this way more benefits remain.
This is important : do not use frying pans for drying, because at temperatures above 100 degrees the fireweed will deteriorate. Although the tea itself is no longer green, but black. This is basically how I make all black teas; the leaves are dried at high temperatures, i.e. fried. But we all know that there is no benefit to heat treatment.
Well, for those who decided to dry using heat treatment, some recommendations:
- Conventional oven drying. Place the fermented leaves on a baking sheet on top of parchment paper. It is recommended not to close the oven door tightly during drying. Leaves should be kept at a temperature of 95 to 110 degrees for an hour.
- Russian stove. The heated stove should stand for at least an hour, after which you can spread the herbal mass on a baking sheet, which is then placed on the coals.
— Electric dryer. The device is turned on at a temperature of about 90 degrees, the leaves are dried for at least 5 hours. It is important not to overdo it, because then the tea drink will taste like paper.
