Ivan tea (scientific name - narrow-leaved fireweed) is a perennial plant of the fireweed family reaching a height of 1.5 m, with lanceolate leaves and collected by a long apical raceme of lilac-red (less often pale pink or white) flowers, having a thick creeping rhizome with numerous shoots. The flowering of Ivan-tea lasts from mid-June to mid-August (during this period, Ivan-tea is also an excellent honey plant), and the fruits of the narrow-leaved fireweed ripen in August - September.

Ivan tea, unpretentious to growing conditions, can be found on dry sandy or peaty soils, near pine forests and country roads, in meadows and wastelands, on forest edges and clearings, along the banks of rivers and lakes, as well as in the form of weeds in gardens or vegetable gardens.

Throughout its history of existence in nature, ivan tea has acquired many names, most of which are due to certain properties or characteristic features of this medicinal plant. So, for example, such names of narrow-leaved fireweed as "willow grass", "willow grass", "willow grass" speak about the external similarity of leaves of willow and willow. Ivan-tea has long been called a "firefighter" or "fiery grass" because of its unique ability to be the first of the plants to populate fire sites. The names "dremukha" and "drema" were given to Ivan-tea for its pronounced hypnotic properties. Thanks to the abundant fluff that accompanies the flowering of willow-herb, the people have long dubbed the narrow-leaved fireweed “down jacket” or “fluff”. And due to the fact that the stem of the fireweed, when pulling the plant out of the ground, emits a creak in the hands, such names of ivan tea as "plakun", "squeak", "skipen", "skrypun", "squeaky", "skripnik" , "Skrypiy", "forest skrypiy", "creaky", "fiddle", "creaked", "script". In the list of very numerous and expressive Russian names of Ivan-tea, one can also note such as: "Kuril tea", "Koporsky tea", "koporka", "bread-box", "magpie's eyes", "Virgin's grass", "elushnik", "Dalyatik", "hog potion", "dug up the grass", "wheeze", "hrypnik", "hrypyalnik", "jump", "smolk-grass", "rubella", "hollow", "mother", "rhubarb "," Miller "," synovod "," stepnik "," mulberry "," hmyzok "," yarovnik "," wine-walker "," nenadychka "," cock's apples "," nitsalosa "and many others. dr.

For medicinal purposes, the leaves and flowers of ivan tea are most often used, collected during the flowering period of this plant (less often, the stems and rhizomes of fireweed are used for medicinal needs). The technology of making willow tea includes the collection of plant materials and their further drying, grinding, fermentation and drying.

A little about the history of Ivan-tea

A tasty, aromatic and healthy drink made from brewed dry Ivan tea has been widely popular in Russia since the 12th century (not only poor peasants, but also representatives of wealthy Russian nobility drank it with pleasure in those days). And since the 13th century, this traditionally Russian drink has been often called "Koporsky tea". This is one of the now most common names for narrow-leaved fireweed came from the name of the settlement of Koporye in the Petersburg province, which was founded by Alexander Nevsky on the site of the destroyed fortress of the knights-crusaders. It was in Koporye, where vast thickets of willow tea were located on the sand dunes, that for the first time in the 13th century local monks began to produce "Koporye tea". And since then, when the English sailors who accidentally visited Koporye tried a drink brewed from fireweed, ivan tea produced in Koporye and other Russian settlements began to be sold on a very large scale to England and other European countries (for Prussia and France imported from Russian Koporya Ivan-tea in those days was a smuggled product). It should be noted that until the end of the 19th century, Great Britain, which owned huge tea plantations in India and Ceylon, preferred “Russian tea” from fireweed to Indian tea, famous for its taste and popular in many countries of the world. Ivan tea, which took an honorable place in Russian foreign trade from the 17th to the 19th centuries, was significantly ahead of such traditionally popular Russian goods as gold, honey and hemp in terms of export volume.

However, in late XIX For centuries, a worthy competitor to Indian tea and seriously undermining the financial power of the East Indian Tea Campaign, ivan tea as a result of intrigues and unseemly rumors from Russia's competitors in the tea trade segment, was quickly ousted from the international market. The gradual oblivion of Ivan-tea also on the inside, russian market contributed to the first world War and the 1917 revolution.

Today, modern Russians no longer even remember such a primordially Russian drink as tea brewed from fireweed. But every summer nature, abundantly decorating fields and meadows with purple willow-tea flowers, invariably reminds us of the "Koporsky tea", undeservedly forgotten and so famous in the old days.

Composition

The biochemical composition of the aboveground part of willow-herb contains vitamin C(this antioxidant in fireweed is 3 times more than in oranges and 6.5 times more than in lemons), carotenoids (precursors of vitamin A), B vitamins, mucus (polysarachids), pectins, chlorophyll, tannins (up to 20%), organic acids, phytosterols (including beta-sitosterol), triterpenoids, coumarins, flavonoids (including quercetin and kaempferol), a small amount of alkaloids, as well as some macro- and microelements (the concentration is especially high in the leaves and flowers of ivan tea iron, copper and manganese, also contained in the leaves and flowers of fireweed in significant number potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, boron, nickel and titanium).

Rich in starch, polysaccharides, easily digestible proteins and organic acids, the rhizomes of willow herb lack tannins, but they contain a significant amount of phosphorus, calcium and cobalt salts.

Therapeutic and prophylactic action

Possessing pleasant taste and the aroma of a drink based on brewed willow tea not only perfectly quenches thirst (both hot and cold), but also has a wide range of health-improving effects, tones up, relieves fatigue, gives strength and vigor.

It is worth noting that, unlike black tea or coffee, which has a tonic effect, a drink based on ivan tea does not contain caffeine, oxalic acid and purine bases that are harmful to human health.

With regular use, decoctions and infusions of ivan tea that strengthen the immune system and increase vitality:

• Improve blood composition (including increasing hemoglobin levels). Ivan tea, when consumed regularly, helps to restore the normal acid-base balance of the blood. Iron, vitamin C, vitamins of group B, copper, manganese, nickel, contained in the composition of ivan tea, improve hematopoietic function.
• Increase the efficiency of assimilation of nutrients from consumed food, as well as improve carbohydrate and lipid metabolism
• They have an anti-inflammatory and bactericidal effect, increase the effectiveness of the prevention and treatment of infectious and inflammatory diseases. In terms of their anti-inflammatory properties, the leaves and flowers of ivan tea surpass such natural antiseptics widely known in folk medicine as willow bark, oak bark and bearberry (flavonoids, vitamin C, carotenoids, tannins, organic acids contained in ivan tea contribute to the relief of inflammatory processes , triterpenoids, manganese, magnesium, copper).
• They have a beneficial effect on the functional state of the prostate gland and other organs of the male genitourinary system, help to increase potency and improve erectile function. For a long time and traditionally rich in beta-sitosterol, Ivan tea was widely known in folk medicine primarily as a "male herb", that is, as medicinal plant, contributing to the improvement of men's health.
• They have a diuretic effect, help to restore normal blood pressure
• Reduce the increased excitability of the central nervous system, contribute to the elimination of insomnia, headache and the consequences of psychoemotional stress. Ivan-tea is an effective natural sleeping pill, which, unlike pharmaceutical medicinal sleeping pills, is not addictive and does not side effects... Flavonoids, B vitamins and magnesium contained in fireweed have a sedative effect.
• They contribute to the elimination of constipation, have an enveloping, anti-inflammatory and protective effect on the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines, promote the early healing of the mucous membranes of the gastrointestinal tract affected by the inflammatory and ulcerative process, restore the optimal balance of the intestinal microflora. This complex healing effect of Ivan tea on the digestive system is due to the presence of mucus (polysaccharides), tannins, pectins, carotenoids, flavonoids, vitamin C and chlorophyll in its composition.
• They have a choleretic effect. The organic acids, flavonoids, magnesium present in Ivan tea contribute to the improvement of the processes of bile formation and bile secretion.
• Show antiviral and antiallergic activity
• They activate the processes of granulation and epithelialization of damaged skin areas. Such components of fireweed as tannins, carotenoids and chlorophyll have wound-healing properties.
• They have a moderate analgesic effect. Pain relief is facilitated by the flavonoids, mucus, magnesium and alkaloids contained in the leaves and flowers of ivan tea.
• They help to increase lactation and improve the quality of breast milk.
• Help cleanse the body of toxins and toxins. The "cleansing" property of Ivan tea is largely due to the composition of its leaves and flowers of flavonoids and pectins.
• Improves the work of the endocrine system
• They have an antioxidant effect, reduce the risk of developing cancer. In folk medicine, willow tea has long been widely known as an antitumor agent (scientific studies have revealed the content of high-molecular and low-toxic compound hanerol in fireweed narrow-leaved, exhibiting antitumor activity). Among the antioxidants contained in ivan tea are flavonoids, tannins, organic acids, carotenoids, vitamin C and some B vitamins, manganese, copper, magnesium.
• They help to improve the condition of the skin, prevent premature aging of the skin. The leaves and flowers of ivan tea contain substances that promote the natural synthesis of collagen, which gives the skin elasticity and firmness (among such components of fireweed are phytosterols, vitamin C, carotenoids, copper, flavonoids, organic acids).

Regular use of broths and infusions based on ivan tea increases the effectiveness of prevention and treatment:

• Iron deficiency anemia
• Gastritis with high acidity, stomach and duodenal ulcers, colitis, enterocolitis, cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, cholecystocholangitis, cholangitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis
• Diseases of the male genitourinary system (prostatitis, prostate adenoma, etc.)
• Female and male infertility
• Arterial hypertension, cardioneuroses (neurocircular dystonia)
• Kidney and bladder diseases (including urolithiasis and cystitis)
• Respiratory tract diseases (including pulmonary tuberculosis, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis and acute respiratory infections caused by the influenza virus). The effectiveness of willow-herb infusions and decoctions in the prevention and treatment of diseases of this group is due to the anti-inflammatory, antipyretic and expectorant effects of fireweed.
• Spleen diseases
• Dermatological diseases (allergic dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema, furunculosis, acne, etc.)
• Gout
• Herpes

The use of infusions and decoctions of narrow-leaved fireweed can also be recommended :

• With food and alcohol poisoning, diarrhea, dysentery
• Patients with epilepsy
• With neuroses and neurosis-like states, with hysteria, alcoholic psychosis and depressive states
• With a hangover syndrome, in the composition complex treatment alcoholism
• With frequent stress and intense psycho-emotional stress
• With chronic fatigue syndrome
• During the period of teething, as well as with increased bleeding of the gums
• For menstrual irregularities
• With painful or heavy menstruation, with uterine bleeding, with pain in women during menopause
• To cleanse the body during the recovery period after courses of radiation and chemotherapy
• As part of the complex treatment of lymphogranulomatosis
• For immunodeficiency states
• With C-avitaminosis (deficiency in the daily diet of vitamin C)

Possessing a pronounced anti-inflammatory and wound healing effect, decoctions and infusions of ivan tea are useful for instillation with otitis media, rhinitis, sinusitis, and also used for rinsing as part of the complex treatment of diseases of the pharynx, larynx and oral cavity (for angina, pharyngitis, laryngitis, stomatitis, periodontitis , gingivitis, caries, etc.).

It is also useful to apply externally decoctions and infusions of fireweed for washing ulcers, wounds and bedsores, as well as in the form of compresses - to relieve pain in bruises, diseases of muscles and joints.

For problem skin or acne it is recommended to make applications from steamed willow-tea leaves.

Mode of application

Ivan tea infusion recipe: 1 tbsp. Pour 1 cup (200 ml) boiling water over a spoonful of dry willow herb. Insist for 12-15 minutes, strain before use. Take 0.5 glasses 2 times a day - in the morning before breakfast and half an hour before dinner. The recommended duration of the treatment-and-prophylactic course of taking Ivan-tea is 1 month. The break between courses of taking fireweed should be 1-1.5 months.

Children from 6 to 8 years old it is allowed to give no more than 1 tbsp. spoons of Ivan-tea infusion 2 times a day, children from 8 to 14 years old the dose can be increased to 50 ml of infusion 2 times a day.

Ivan tea decoction recipe: 15 g of dry willow tea (2 tablespoons) pour 200 ml (1 glass) boiling water, bring to a boil and simmer for 15 minutes over low heat, then leave for 1-1.5 hours and drain. Adults are recommended to take such a decoction for 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times daily before meals.

Contraindications

Ivan tea infusions and decoctions are contraindicated in children under 6 years of age. During pregnancy and breastfeeding, before starting the regular use of ivan tea, it is recommended to consult a doctor about the possibility of therapeutic and prophylactic use of fireweed. With prolonged use of tinctures and decoctions of Ivan tea (more than 1 month without interruption), disturbances in the functioning of the stomach, liver and intestines are possible. Use with caution broths and infusions of fireweed with increased blood clotting, thrombosis and thrombophlebitis.

Popular goods.

The narrow-leaved fireweed or willow-herb is famous for its beneficial properties, the medicinal plant has practically no contraindications. It grows mainly in the forests of the Far East and Siberia.

The leaves of the fireweed are elongated, the inflorescence is bright pink, collected in a brush. The fruit looks like a box, and the seeds are fluff, which has no useful properties. The flowering period is from the second half of June to the end of August.

Ivan tea is a therapeutic and prophylactic remedy for many diseases, contains minerals, vitamins, trace elements.

Biochemical composition

Fermentation of Ivan-tea

Koporye tea is made by fermentation (fermentation) of leaves and inflorescences of fireweed, which take on different colors, tastes and smells. The herb acquires a pleasant floral aroma, and becomes similar in color to ordinary tea leaves.

Plants are harvested during their flowering period, but before the seeds ripen. The most suitable time is from the end of June to September. You can use leaves, inflorescences and rhizomes. After they are dried, twisted, crumpled or crushed until juicing and darkening.

Prepared leaves are placed in a deep container, covered with a wet cloth and placed in a warm place. The temperature should be at least 24˚C, the hotter it is in the room, the faster fermentation will take place (3 - 36 hours). The crushed raw material ferments until a brown-green color and a floral aroma appear. Do not overexpose, the grass will acquire a sour smell.

Then the fermented fireweed is dried at high temperature (90˚C) for about 1 hour. The leaves are constantly stirred to prevent drying out. It is important to observe all the subtleties of the process, otherwise the taste of the drink will be unpleasant. The resulting ivan-tea brew is kept for 1 month, after which it is used as a regular tea.

The herb is stored in a dry sealed container, if all stages of preparation have been correctly followed, then the properties of the infusion only increase over time.

Unlike regular teas, fireweed does not contain caffeine, lactic and oxalic acids. Not addictive. The drink has a pleasant tart taste and is able to quench your thirst.

Healing properties

Why is narrow-leaved ivan tea useful?

• Flavonoids and a vitamin complex tone the body, increase efficiency, and strengthen the immune system.
• Iron, vitamins C and B normalize chemical composition blood, increase the content of hemoglobin.
• Due to the content of flavonoids, trace elements, coumarins and vitamins, Ivan tea treats infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary system.
• The benefits of Ivan tea for men are to improve the functioning of the prostate gland and treat impotence. Trace elements, vitamins A, B, C normalize the composition of the seed secretion.
• The vitamin composition increases lactation in women during breastfeeding.
• In dentistry, it treats gingivitis and periodontitis, and prevents caries.
• Trace elements, vitamins, chlorophyll help to normalize hormones.
• It has a sedative and hypnotic effect due to the content of flavonoids, magnesium, B vitamins.
• Restores the peristalsis of the digestive system, relieves pain.

The enveloping and wound-healing properties of mucus, tannins, flavonoids, chlorophyll in ivan tea improve the functioning of the digestive tract.

• Chlorophyll, carotenoids, tannins contribute to rapid tissue regeneration.
• Pectins and flavonoids remove toxins and toxins from the body.
• Pectins, saccharides burn fat.
• Reduces blood pressure due to its diuretic properties.
• It is a prophylactic agent against oncological neoplasms. Contribute to this, triterpenoids, flavonoids, a complex of trace elements.

You can also drink narrow-leaved fireweed for healthy people to prevent the development of diseases, strengthen the protective properties of the body, and generally raise the tone. The use of the decoction soothes nervous system and acts as a sleeping pill if taken at night. In the morning, the remedy will give a boost of energy and vivacity for the whole day.

Important! Before drinking Ivan-tea, it is necessary to consult your doctor in order to avoid possible complications.

What ailments does Ivan tea treat?

Useful properties of narrow-leaved fireweed allow you to successfully cope with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, ENT organs, cardiovascular, endocrine, nervous, genitourinary systems.

• Gastritis, ulcer, colitis, food poisoning, diarrhea, constipation.
• Anemia.
• Hypertension.
• Adenoma, prostatitis, sexual dysfunction, infertility in men.
• Inflammatory kidney disease, urolithiasis.
• Cystitis, thrush, bleeding, infertility, menstrual irregularities in women.
• Sinusitis, bronchitis, pharyngitis, pulmonary tuberculosis.
• Herpes manifestations.
• Diseases of the spleen, pancreas, impaired bile excretion.
• Dermatology: eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis.
• Insomnia.
• Stress, psychosis, chronic fatigue, overwork, epilepsy.
• Violation of the hormonal background in female menopause.
• Rehabilitation after chemotherapy.
• Avitaminosis, immunodeficiency.
• Smoothes wrinkles, restores a healthy, radiant appearance to the skin. Flavonoids, organic acids, vitamins A and C contribute to the natural synthesis of collagen.

The constituent components of fireweed with its regular use help to achieve a positive therapeutic effect. Strengthening the body's defenses allows you to resist viruses and infections.

Ivan tea honey

Honey is produced from the nectar of narrow-leaved fireweed. It is a transparent, greenish consistency, which, when crystallized, acquires an unusual white color. Possesses pleasant taste and floral aroma. Honey contains vitamins of group B, A, ascorbic, nicotinic acid. These substances help to strengthen the nervous system, normalize metabolic processes, and improve the absorption of food.

As a remedy, it has the same effect as tinctures or decoctions of fireweed. Relieves inflammation of the skin, rash, if these manifestations are not caused by diseases internal organs... Fireweed honey treats ailments of the stomach and intestines, restores the microflora, lowers the acidity level of gastric juice.

It is additionally used as a cosmetic product for women. Fireweed honey is a part of creams, scrubs, masks. Perfectly moisturizes, gives the skin a radiant appearance.

You can eat 1 tablespoon a day on an empty stomach to maintain body tone, prevent viral infections, and strengthen immunity. Outwardly, you can make compresses on the chest for bronchitis, a bandage on the wound for purulent inflammation. For colds, sore throat, honey with milk is an irreplaceable remedy.

Application methods

Ivan tea is used in the form of a tincture, tea or broth. It is better to use pure natural water for cooking. Brewed fireweed beneficial features does not lose up to 3 days due to the content of essential oils. It is much better to drink decoctions without added sugar, replace it with honey.

Tincture: 1 tablespoon of dried herbs is poured with one glass of boiling water. Then let it brew for 10 - 15 minutes and drain. You should drink ½ glass in the morning and in the evening.

You can make a tincture from any medicinal herbs, add a little honey from willow tea. Such a remedy will help with diseases of the ENT organs. Aloe juice with fireweed honey also gives good results. This gruel is used to lubricate the oral cavity with stomatitis, inflammation of the gums.

Broth: pour fresh leaves with cool water (a layer of 5 cm of grass should be covered with water by 10 cm), put on fire, slowly bring to a boil. Then they insist for 10 minutes. You can add flowers in equal proportions to the leaves. Take half a glass of strained broth twice a day. The course of treatment is 1 month, then a break is required for at least the same period.

Alcohol tincture: add 50 grams of crushed flowers to 1 bottle of vodka (0.5 l) and leave for 1 week. You need to take 30 grams 2 times a day. Effective for inflammation of the kidneys, ovaries, prostate, cystitis. Tinctures are also used as an external agent for treating wounds, for skin inflammations. Apply a piece of gauze soaked in broth to the damaged area.

Prevention of cancer and alcohol dependence

Ivan tea, benefits and harms in cancer treatment. Tinctures and decoctions relieve intoxication of the body, prevent the formation of metastases, restore immunity after chemotherapy. Too long-term use of decoctions can bring harm, which can contribute to the disruption of the intestines and the deterioration of the patient's condition.

Also, fireweed can be brewed along with other medicinal herbs. At the same time, the interaction of some components increases, the therapeutic effect increases. Horsetail, nettle, echinacea, lemongrass, hops are used in combination with Ivan tea.

Ivan tea, benefits and harms in treatment alcohol addiction... The herb promotes the elimination of toxic substances, relieves hangovers, reduces cravings for alcohol. People who quit drinking or smoking become aggressive and irritable. Fireweed has a sedative effect, normalizes sleep. Harm and contraindications lie in the uncontrolled use of a therapeutic agent. The digestive system may be disrupted.

Contraindications for use

Traditional medicine knows only the beneficial properties of willow tea, the drug has practically no contraindications.

• Individual intolerance to the components that make up the chemical composition of the plant. Allergic reactions to vitamins A, C, B, PP are possible. It manifests itself in the form of urticaria, itching of the skin with an overdose.
• Thrombophlebitis and varicose veins. The remedy improves blood clotting and can aggravate the condition if there are blood clots in the veins.
• Long-term use of the herb can cause intestinal upset due to the laxative effect that fireweed has.

Ivan tea can be taken during pregnancy and young children with teething.

Some symptoms of the appearance:

• excessive sweating;
• weakening of the immune system, frequent colds;
• weakness, fatigue;
• nervous state, depression;
• headaches and migraines;
• alternating diarrhea and constipation;
• want sweet and sour;
• bad breath;
• frequent feeling of hunger;
• weight loss problems;
• decreased appetite;
• night grinding of teeth, drooling;
• pain in the abdomen, joints, muscles;
• the cough does not go away;
• acne on the skin.

If you have any of the symptoms or doubt the causes of the ailments, you need to cleanse your body as soon as possible. How to do it .

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Meet: narrow-leaved fireweed, popularly known as Ivan tea. It was used to prepare a drink back in the days of Ancient Rus. For a long time, tea from this plant has been sold to Europe. How did the above drink conquer the whimsical Europeans? Its healing abilities are described below. So read on!

Ivan tea: a short description

Since its inception, the above plant has acquired many different names. These are "narrow-leaved fireweed grass", "willow grass", "willow grass", "willow grass" and others. People often call ivan tea a "fireman". It turns out that this plant populates very well the places of fires. Also sometimes it is called such as "snuff" (due to its ability to act as a good sleeping pill).

Also in the literature, you can see the following designations of Ivan-tea: mulberry, Kuril tea, koporka, yarovnik, rubella, borax potion, elushnik, magpie's eyes, kopyl-grass, silent-grass and many, many others. It seems that each region has its own name for the above plant.

The main features of narrow-leaved fireweed:

• is part of the Cypriot family;
• is a perennial plant;
• has lanceolate leaves;
• flowers lilac, lilac-red or white;
• thick rhizome with numerous shoots;
• flowering period - from mid-June to the second or third week of August.

The willow-tea plant can be found near pine forests, in meadows and wastelands, on peaty or dry sandy soils, near village roads, along the shores of lakes and rivers, as well as in the form of a weed in vegetable gardens or in gardens.

A little from the history of narrow-leaved fireweed

It should be noted that since the 12th century in Russia, tea was very popular, for the preparation of which they used narrow-leaved fireweed. Ivan tea was collected by both simple peasants and representatives of wealthy noble Russian families.

Since the 13th century, the above plant has been called "Koporye tea". The fact is that Alexander Nevsky, on the site of the destroyed fortress, founded a small estate Koporye (located in the area of \u200b\u200bthe St. Petersburg province that arose later). It is on these sand dunes that the willow-tea plant has taken root very well. It was harvested by monks.

Once English sailors visited Koporye. They tasted this extremely delicious drink. They liked it so much that the narrow-leaved fireweed began to be ordered by rich people from Europe (England, France, Prussia).

Until the middle of the 19th century, Great Britain preferred exclusively this Russian Koporye tea. Even Indian and Ceylon drinks did not have such popularity.

At the end of the 19th century, the narrow-leaved fireweed was ousted from the European market. This was facilitated by two world events: the rapidly growing power of the East India Company and the First World War.

Useful composition of the plant

The ivan tea herb contains the following substances that are extremely beneficial to the human body:

• vitamin C (especially in the ground part of the plant);
• carotenoids (provitamin A);
• mucus (polysaccharides);
• b vitamins;
• chlorophyll;
• pectins;
• tannins (up to 20%);
• organic acids;
• phytosterols (especially a lot of beta-sitosterol);
• coumarins;
• flavonoids;
• triterpenoids;
• alkaloids;
• macro- and microelements (copper, iron, manganese, sodium, potassium, calcium, titanium, nickel, boron).

The rhizome of the above plant does not contain tannins at all, but it contains a lot of starch, polysaccharides, easily digestible proteins, cobalt, calcium and phosphorus salts.

Ivan tea: medicinal properties, contraindications

The drink from the above plant has not only a very pleasant taste and amazing aroma, but also a wide range of healing effects: it perfectly tones the body, quenches thirst, gives strength, and relieves fatigue. Unlike coffee and black tea, the broth of narrow-leaved fireweed does not contain purine bases, oxalic acid and caffeine that are harmful to human health.

With regular use of the drink, the basis of which is the herb Ivan-tea, the vitality rises and the immunity is remarkably strengthened:

• The blood composition and hematopoietic function improve (the normal alkaline-acid balance of the blood is restored, the hemoglobin level rises).
• The increased excitability of the nerves and the system as a whole is reduced.
• The symptoms of insomnia and the consequences of psycho-emotional stress are eliminated.
• Blood pressure is restored to normal.

In addition, Ivan-tea, medicinal properties which are based on its healing composition, has the following effects on the body:

• Promotes the improvement of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism.
• It significantly increases the absorption of nutrients.
• It has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect.
• It has a beneficial effect on the health of the prostate gland, as well as on the normal functioning of the male reproductive system.
• Produces a diuretic effect.
• Perfectly removes signs of constipation.
• Promotes the healing of wounds of the mucous membranes in the stomach (that is, it acts as an effective anti-ulcer agent, has a good enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect).
• Restores the most optimal balance of microflora in the intestines.
• Produces a choleretic effect.
• Shows antiallergic activity.
• Increases potency and prevents the development of symptoms of erectile dysfunction.
• Activates the processes of epithelialization and granulation of areas of the skin that have been damaged.
• Produces a moderate analgesic effect.
• Shows antiviral activity.
• Enhances lactation and improves the quality of mother's milk.
• Cleans the body from toxins and other impurities.
• Improves the functioning of the thyroid gland and the entire endocrine system.
• Significantly reduces the risk of developing oncology.
• It has an antioxidant effect.
• Prevents premature aging of the skin.
• Improves the condition of the skin, making it more elastic, firm.

No matter how good Ivan tea has medicinal properties, there are still some contraindications to its use. It:

• increased blood clotting;
• thrombophlebitis;
• thrombosis.

If you drink the above drink for too long, then some problems with the functioning of the kidneys and liver may occur. For more than 1 month without interruption, experts do not recommend using narrow-leaved fireweed tea. It can also disrupt the functioning of the stomach and intestines.

Narrow-leaved fireweed: application

Ivan tea is actively used in alternative medicine and cosmetology. Russian healers note that, thanks to its soothing, anti-inflammatory, astringent, enveloping, diaphoretic, emollient action, this plant has become the basis for many remedies against a wide variety of diseases.

Alternative medicine uses all parts of narrow-leaved fireweed (leaves, stems, flowers, roots). For example, the frayed leaves of this plant contribute to the rapid healing of even very deep wounds. A decoction of them quite effectively helps with scrofula, inflammation of the throat, ear, nose, and also acts as an excellent sleeping pill.

Tibetan alternative medicine uses the rhizome of narrow-leaved fireweed to treat the symptoms of terrible and complex diseases such as syphilis and gonorrhea. Mongolian healers use ivan tea to treat diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and the entire digestive system. They believe that narrow-leaved fireweed tea is an excellent remedy for scrofula and headaches.

Russian healers note that willow tea branches go well with birch. Therefore, a broom from these two plants is great for a bath. Their extraordinary healthy aroma is felt immediately, besides, the state of health significantly improves, and the headache goes away.

Some chefs add willow tea sprouts to various salads. The roots of narrow-leaved fireweed can be crushed into flour and enriched with baked goods.

Ivan tea: indications for use

The properties of narrow-leaved fireweed are highly valued by Russian healers, who believe that it has a high healing effect. A drink from this plant is advised to be used for the treatment of the following diseases:

• iron deficiency anemia;
• gastroduodenitis and stomach ulcer;
• enterocolitis, colitis;
• cholelithiasis, cholecystitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis, cholangitis, cholecystocholangitis, pancreatitis;
• problems with the male genitourinary system (prostate adenoma, erectile dysfunction);
• male and female infertility;
• high blood pressure, cardioneurosis;
• respiratory problems (chronic tonsillitis, pulmonary tuberculosis, ARVI, sinusitis;
• spleen diseases;
• allergic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, acne, furunculosis;
• herpes;
• gout;
• urolithiasis, cystitis;
• epilepsy;
• alcohol and food poisoning;
• dysentery;
• diarrhea;
• hysteria, neurosis-like states, alcoholic psychoses, depression;
• hangover;
• violation of the menstrual cycle;
• C-vitamin deficiency;
• lymphogranulomatosis;
• uterine bleeding, menopause;
• increased bleeding of the gums;
• chronic fatigue syndrome.

Also, Russian healers advise using drinks from ivan tea with serious psycho-emotional stress. Also, this plant is included in the course of therapy for alcoholism and neuroses of various etymologies.

Narrow-leaved fireweed has a pronounced anti-inflammatory, bactericidal and wound-healing effect. Therefore, it is recommended by Russian healers for instillation with rhinitis, otitis media, sinusitis. It is also used for rinsing the mouth for diseases such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, periodontitis, caries, gingivitis, stomatitis.

Ivan tea: recipes

There are many recipes for drinks that use ivan tea. How to brew it?

It is necessary to take 15 g of dry raw materials of leaves and flowers (approximately two tablespoons), pour 200 ml of boiling water over it. Bring the contents of the enamelware to a boil and cook over low heat for no more than a quarter of an hour. It is recommended to strain the infusion. Before use, it must be diluted with boiling water. If desired, you can add sugar or honey to the drink.

It is interesting that such tea leaves can be safely used within a week, it does not lose its properties at all and does not deteriorate.

Another brewing method involves preparing such a drink from fresh leaves of willow tea. They are placed in an enamel pan in a thin layer, poured with boiling water and brought to a boil over a small flame. Then leave to infuse for a quarter of an hour. You can drink tea both warm and cold. You can heat it up, but in no case should you bring it to a boil again. After all, the high temperature will only ruin the aroma of this drink.

There are also many recipes for medicines, for the preparation of which Ivan tea is used. How to brew it? Pour 10 g of dry raw materials with boiling water in an amount of 250 g and cook on a small flame for no more than a quarter of an hour. Then the broth must be filtered. Consume a tablespoon every 6 hours.

You can cure gastroduodenitis and stomach ulcers with the following infusion: take the herb of willow tea, chamomile, lime blossom and fennel fruits in the following ratio: 2: 1: 2: 1. Mix these ingredients thoroughly. Then pour boiling water over them. Russian healers recommend using such a drink for two glasses before meals.

Ivan tea in cosmetology

Narrow-leaved fireweed for cosmetic purposes began to be used in the days of Ancient Russia. Nowadays, fashionable salons, before a massage, offer their clients to use a steam bath with tincture of ivan tea flowers. It must be done at least 5 days for a quarter of an hour.

An anti-inflammatory mask based on narrow-leaved fireweed has proven itself perfectly. To prepare it, you will need 8 ml of tincture of plant flowers, a pinch of Extra salt (on the tip of a knife) and oatmeal. Mix these ingredients thoroughly (to the consistency of liquid sour cream) and apply on the face for a quarter of an hour. Further, this mask is recommended to be washed off with warm water. After such a procedure, the skin will be cleansed of red spots, it will become more tender, firm and elastic.

Methods for preparing Ivan tea

Depending on the use in the recipes, there are several methods of harvesting the above plant:

• cutting off only the upper part of the willow tea during flowering (coarse stems are not taken);
• separate harvesting of leaves and flowers of narrow-leaved fireweed.

How to dry Ivan tea properly?

• wither the leaves throughout the day in a dark place;
• twist the leaves in your palms until the juice comes out;
• put such "cigars" on a baking sheet;
• cover them with a wet cloth;
• leave for 10 hours in the shade for the fermentation process and the appearance of a fruity smell;
• then unwind the leaves;
• spread in a thin layer on a baking sheet;
• put in the oven to dry at 100 degrees Celsius for 40 minutes;
• russian healers advise storing the raw materials of Koporye tea in a glass jar.

It should be noted that you can safely buy ivan tea at the pharmacy. Its shelf life is usually no more than 3 years.

Ivan tea is an excellent healing plant that gives the body health and enriches it with useful substances. A fragrant drink based on narrow-leaved fireweed will win the hearts of even very whimsical tea connoisseurs. But before using it for medicinal purposes, you should still get the advice of an experienced doctor.

Legends about magic herbs came to us from the hoary antiquity. Defeat the herb, the weeping herb, the tearing herb ... But the healing ivan tea occupies a special place among the healers. In medical treatises, scientific botanical publications, it is called differently. So is he or isn't he?

Why was they called Ivan

The sorcerer Ivan lived in ancient times. I never refused a request - I helped everyone. And a fierce misfortune came. Hordes of enemies attacked the village. Until his last breath, Ivan bravely defended women and children. So they buried him, in a shirt red with blood. And in the spring, an amazing plant, tall, strong, with purple-red flowers, grew on the conflagration. So they began to say: “Ivan tea does not leave us, he will protect and take away any ailment.” Since that time, that plant is called Ivan-tea in memory of the brave healer and warrior *.

From antiquity to the present day, Ivan tea has received different names, mainly associated with certain properties of this plant, and many are not at all exceptional. They say that the wise men hid knowledge so that dashing people would not use it for evil. This is where the confusion arises.

Botanical name

It is correct to call the plant - narrow-leaved fireweed (lat.Epilobium angustifolium). Although botanists have not yet come to one opinion whether to attribute it to a special genus chamerion (lat. Chamerion) or not. Therefore, in the reference literature, fireweed or Ivan-tea narrow-leaved can be listed as Chamerion angustifolium (lat.).

Popular names

In another way, Ivan-tea is nicknamed Ivanov tea, Elushnik, Kopyl-grass, Kiper, Red color, Wheatgrass, Mulberry, Virgin's grass, Plakun-grass, Mattochnik, Burian, Yarovnik ... In the Russian dictionary of plant names Annenkov N.I. (1 printed edition of 1859) contains more than 60 titles.

Down on fireweed seeds is a specific feature. Thanks to him, the seeds move over considerable distances and germinate easily in wastelands and fires. Therefore, they called him the fiery grass. If you try to pull the stem out of the ground, you will hear a characteristic creak in your hands. So they nicknamed Ivan-tea the skippon, the cryptor.

In the old days, ropes were woven from the fibers of the stem and canvases were woven, therefore it is also called (as) wild flax or (as) wild hemp. In the description of everyday life in Russia, one can find the expression "pillows stuffed with a down jacket." "Down jacket" here is another name for fireweed, the fluff of which is often stuffed with mattresses, and not bird fluff.

The leaves of Ivan-tea are narrow and long, very similar to a willow leaf. Therefore, it is also called willow-grass or in another way willow-grass.

The use of fireweed in the collection gives not only a calming effect and saturates the body with microelements, it has a specific effect on men. Healers used Ivan tea as the main component of a borax potion, and then the plant itself began to be called so.

Fireweed was and is also the basis of "Koporsk tea" - a drink, although similar in color to the usual black, but much tastier. Plus, it's caffeine-free and non-addictive. The village of Koporye near St. Petersburg produced hundreds of poods of it in dry form, from that moment the nickname Koporye tea stuck to Ivan-tea. In ancient publications, the village is also called Kapurie, therefore, in some publishing houses on plants, you can find the name Kapoor tea or Kapoor tea.

Ivan tea and magic

In ancient treatises and modern translations about witchcraft, there is a mention of the weeping grass. However, in fact, plakun-grass is not called willow, but willow loosestrife. The ancient Slavic legend about the goddess Lada and the biblical legend about the Mother of God do not tell about Ivan-tea. In magic rituals, crosses and amulets were carved from the root of the loosestrife to "drive out evil spirits" and for protection. Ivan tea as protection from otherworldly forces was not used.

Ivan-tea narrow-leaved, or narrow-leaved fireweed - Chamaenerium angustifolium (L.) Scop. - long-term herbaceous plant from the fireweed family (Onagraceae), capable of producing abundant root suckers. The stem is erect, from 50 to 150 cm high, simple or branching only in the upper part, densely leafy. The leaves are alternate, lanceolate, 5 to 12 cm long and 0.7 to 2 cm wide, dark green above, bluish-green below, dull, with a strongly protruding midrib, sessile or with a very short petiole.
The flowers are collected in an apical inflorescence-raceme with a length of 10 to 45 cm. The perianth is double, 4-membered. Sepals are linear, dark red. Corolla purple-pink, up to 3 cm in diameter, ovoid petals. There are 8 stamens, 4 of them are longer than others. Pistil with a long lower ovary, a bent downward column and a 4-split stigma with diverging lobes. At the base of the pistil and stamens there is a nectary in the form of a fleshy ring.
Blooms from June to autumn. Flowers are pollinated by insects. The first fruits ripen in July. The fruit is a pod-shaped pubescent capsule up to 9 cm long with numerous small seeds. The seed has a tuft of long white hairs. Thanks to the tuft, the seeds are carried by the wind over huge distances from the mother plant.

Spread of Ivan tea

Ivan tea has a large area, covering the temperate zone of the entire Northern Hemisphere. In Russia, it grows in many areas of both the European and Asian parts, from the western borders of the country to the island of Sakhalin. Willow tea is especially widespread in the forest zone throughout the country.
Ivan tea is a light-loving plant that prefers habitats rich in ash nutrients and nitrogen. It grows in forests different types, but light enough: conifers, especially pine and larch; mixed; deciduous (mainly small-leaved, for example, in birch forests). It can be found in thickets of bushes, in forest glades, forest edges, clearings, clearings, along roads, along the banks of ditches and canals. It forms extensive thickets in forest fires and felling areas; in the second half of summer, many of their areas are covered with a continuous cover of flowering fireweed.

Economic use of ivan tea

Ivan tea has long been known as a food plant. Its fleshy roots taste sweet and are eaten raw and cooked. The dried roots are ground into flour, which is added to the dough for baking tortillas, rolls, bread. This additive gives baked goods an original sweet taste.
Toasted roots are a substitute for coffee. Craftsmen get even a light intoxicating drink from the roots of Ivan tea.
Ivan tea leaves contain ascorbic acid (vitamin C), tannins, salts of iron, nickel, copper, manganese, molybdenum and other metals that the human and animal body needs. Before flowering, young leaves and tops of shoots are eaten in the form of salads, and soup is also prepared from them. Young root suckers are used in a similar way to asparagus or cauliflower. Dry leaves replace tea; when brewed, they give the drink the color of natural tea, a pleasant aroma and taste. No wonder the leaves of fireweed have been used for a long time to counterfeit Chinese tea.
Even more important are the melliferous qualities of ivan tea. This is one of the best melliferous plants in the Russian flora. Its flowers, producing huge amounts of nectar and pollen, attract many insects during flowering, including honey bees. Bees can collect up to 500 kg of honey from 1 hectare of fireweed thickets that arise in clearings or forest fires. One bee colony brings from 5 to 17 kg of nectar from willow-tea thickets to the hive. Fireweed honey is transparent, light, with a greenish tint, delicate taste, pleasant aroma. Connoisseurs value it very highly.

The medicinal value of ivan tea and methods of medicinal use

Ivan tea has been used in Tibetan and Russian folk medicine for a long time. FROM therapeutic purposes they use the aboveground part (grass), separately leaves and underground parts. It is believed that preparations from ivan tea have an astringent, hemostatic, emollient, antipyretic, sedative, hypnotic, wound healing effect. It is known to use drugs from fireweed to normalize the activity of the stomach and intestines, with headaches, insomnia, uterine bleeding and many other ailments.
In medicine, the upper part of the plant is used. Fireweed is harvested during flowering in dry weather after dew has melted. Raw materials are obtained of inferior quality or completely unusable if the collection is carried out at high humidity. Fireweed is quickly dried with good ventilation in the shade. The raw materials are stored in a wooden box in a dry place. It is interesting that its quality during storage in the first 2 years becomes not worse, but better.
Fireweed has a calming effect on the nervous system, but in its tranquilizing properties it is slightly inferior to valerian. It contains a lot of tannin and mucus, which has a strong enveloping and anti-inflammatory effect in case of enterocolitis accompanied by diarrhea, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, chronic gastritis. A decoction of the herb of the plant was studied by pharmacologists: in experiments on animals, a sedative and anticonvulsant effect of the plant, similar to the effect of chlorpromazine, was established. From the inflorescences of fireweed, the drug hanerol was obtained, which is tested in clinics as a highly active antitumor agent. It turned out to be effective against the flu virus as well.
In folk medicine, fireweed is used to treat scrofula, headaches, metabolic disorders, insomnia, tonsillitis, otitis media, purulent wounds.

The simplest and most affordable plants can have a beneficial effect on diseased nerves. It has long been noticed among the people that medicinal extracts of ivan tea are able to compete with valerian. Traditional medicine recommends in the treatment of neurasthenia an aqueous infusion of ivan-tea leaves: pour 1 tablespoon of crushed leaves with 1 glass of boiling water, insist in warmth for at least 6 hours; even better, pour the leaves overnight, and strain in the morning (you can do this in a thermos). Take in fractional portions throughout the day. The daily dose is 0.5 liters.
An aqueous infusion of ivan tea leaves gives especially nice results in combination with a tincture of raspberry leaves, which can be prepared as follows: fill a 1/3 jar with chopped raspberry leaves and pour the usual 40% vodka to the top; insist 9 days; strain; take in the first 10 days 20 drops 3 times a day for 30 minutes. before meals, in the second 10 days - 30 drops each; on the following days - 50 drops. The course of treatment is at least 3 months.

For headaches, migraines, use a mixture: fireweed flowers - 4 g, lovage leaves - 2 parts, nettle leaf - 1 part.
Pour 200 ml of boiling water over one tablespoon of the collection, close, leave for 40 minutes. and a drink in two doses.

Two tablespoons of fireweed herbs are infused with 2 glasses of boiling water (daily dose).
With vitamin deficiency, scurvy, fresh leaves are added to salads as a vitamin remedy.

One tablespoon of dry leaves in 1 cup of boiling water. Insist, wrapped, 1-2 hours, drain. Take 1 tablespoon 3-4 times a day.

With syphilis, gonorrhea, with leucorrhoea in women, traditional medicine recommends a decoction of ivan tea rhizomes. Pour 20g of rhizomes with 1 glass of boiling water, soak in a water bath for 30 minutes, cool, strain. Take orally 1/3 cup 3 times daily before meals.

Ivan tea recipes for medical nutrition

Vitamin salad of leaves and shoots of ivan tea
Young leaves and shoots are washed, chopped finely, mixed with green onions, dill and parsley, seasoned with vegetable oil or sour cream and salted. 150 g fireweed, 10 g onions, 1 tablespoon oil or sour cream.

Ivan tea rhizome salad
The rhizomes are washed, peeled, finely chopped or grated. Add grated hard cheese, garlic, grated carrots, salt and season with mayonnaise (100 g fireweed, 1 tablespoon of cheese, 1 carrot, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise, salt).

Puree from leaves and shoots of willow tea
Leaves and shoots are washed, boiled, placed in a skillet with grated carrots and onions, add tomato paste, salt, pepper and cook until tender. 200g fireweed, 1 onion, 1 carrot, 1 tablespoon of tomato paste.

Boiled rhizomes of ivan tea
Rhizomes are washed, boiled in salted water, cut into strips, mixed with chopped carrots, beets, add green pea, garlic, mayonnaise (100 g fireweed, 1 carrot, 1 boiled beet, 1 tablespoon of green peas, 1 clove of garlic, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise).

Ivan tea rhizome cakes
The dried rhizomes are ground into flour. Then it is mixed with wheat flour, soda, salt, vegetable oil, egg, kefir are added, cakes are beaten and baked. Served with yogurt or yogurt.
Three tablespoons of rhizome flour, 2 tablespoons of wheat flour, 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil, 1 a raw egg, 1/2 cup kefir, soda, salt.

Ivan tea has various names among the people: Koporsky tea, plakun, etc.

Tea made from fireweed leaves is known in Russia as "Koporsky tea", or "Koporka" - after the name of the village of Koporye in the Petersburg province, where in the 19th century. it was produced for sale. "Koporka" has long been the most common substitute for tea and was revered as useful at any income.
The leaf tea is harvested in July - September from the tall stems of the plant. They go for fireweed in dry weather, after the dew has melted. Leaves are picked only when healthy, untouched by disease or pests.

Leaves are scattered in the shade with a layer of no more than 5 cm, dried for one day, twisted with palms until the juice comes out, then laid out on a baking sheet, covered with a wet cloth, kept for 6-10 hours at a temperature of 25 ° C and dried for 40 minutes. in an oven or oven at a temperature of 100 ° C.
When drying the fermented leaf, make sure that it does not burn or burn in the oven. A normally dried leaf crumbles easily in the hands, the tea leaves have a natural color. Fireweed tea can be stored in a wooden box or glass container in a dry place for up to 2 years. During storage taste qualities "Koporki" are getting better. When properly prepared, the fireweed leaf produces a golden yellow, transparent drink that has a pleasant smell and a mild astringent taste.

Mother to all herbs is a weeping herb, to tear every herb with a sentence.
So say: "From the earth is grass, but from God is medicine." Speak three times, staying pure. Second: "The sky is the father, the earth is the mother, and you, the grass, let me tear you up" ... Its root is very hard, you barely chop off it with an ax, and with a color - a drill on top, inside - a drill is sparkling. Only the root is good for business, digging it on August 1 at sunset.
The grass is called a weepy: when Christ was crucified, the Holy Mother of God wept, ran to the Jordan River and shed tears on this grass. It is good to keep it clean in a hut or to carry it with you on the way, then the unclean spirit will not touch; gather all herbs with this root - let it be with you; if you do not have it with you, then at least apply a grass to this root later - and any grass will receive its strength.
(from an ancient herbalist included in Domostroy)