Among the hundreds of herbs that grow in our meadows and forest edges, there are many very useful species. Some of them are known only to herbalists, while others are known to almost everyone. The record holder for the content of elements important for he alth and for the methods of use can be safely called Ivan-tea. Useful properties and contraindications of preparations from it became known not so long ago.
There was a time when drinking from this weed was illegal. Around the same period, the plant was actively used not by healers to treat the afflicted, but by swindlers as fake tea. Now even official medicine has confirmed the beneficial properties of Ivan tea. Scientists are surprised that preparations from this humble herb help better than many drugs. However, they do not have any side effects. They can be taken by absolutely all categories of patients, including pregnant women and infants. In our article, we will tell you how to collect and prepare Ivan tea, how and what it heals, how to cook fromhim medicines.
Etymology of the name
Ivan-tea, whose beneficial properties are so valued by healers and doctors, is sometimes written with a capital letter, implying that Ivan is a well-known male name in Russia. The word "tea" in this case has nothing to do with a drink and is synonymous with the Russian words "it seems", "probably". A folk legend says that Ivan lived a long time ago, who loved to wear red clothes and walk among meadow flowers. People, looking at flowering brushes of plants, said: “Tea, Ivan is wandering again.”
In another interpretation, Ivan-chai is written with a small letter. In this case, the word "ivan" means leaves, like a willow, and "tea" is a drink loved by many. In support of this theory, we can say that the leaves of the medicinal plant species really look like willow. For this reason, for example, in England it is called willow-grass, and in Slovakia - recruitment. Scientifically, this plant is called narrow-leaved willow-herb. Useful properties and contraindications of this particular type will be described in the article.
Growth area and botanical description
Almost every Russian, if desired, can prepare Ivan tea for himself. The beneficial properties of this herb will help get rid of many ailments. It grows everywhere. You can find it in meadows, in the steppe zone, on spacious forest edges, in the place of forest fires, wherever there is free access to wind and sun. It is not worth looking for a plant in the forest more often, because it does not grow among trees.
Distinguish Ivan-tea from other herbsvery easy, as its stems can reach 2 meters in height. There are also shorter representatives, the height of the bushes of which does not exceed half a meter. Ivan-tea has very characteristic inflorescences. They form loose, slightly sloppy brushes up to 45 cm long. Flowers begin to bloom from the bottom. The shade of the petals is very bright: lilac-pink-lilac, less often white.
It is easy to recognize medicinal Ivan-tea by its leaves, densely sticking to the stem. In shape, they are very similar to willows, only the color of their leaf plate is bright green above, and below it can be pinkish, purple-red or gray-green.
Ivan tea blooms around July 15, but in different regions these dates may be different. During this period, its mass harvesting begins. The flowers stay on the plant for about a month. Experienced herbalists advise re-collecting at the end of August. Then there is little blooming willow-tea, but the raw materials are of better quality.
Many healers harvest willow-tea rhizomes, which are relatively powerful, creeping, giving abundant shoots. The pollen and seeds of the plant are also used to make various potions.
What the plant contains
Useful properties and contraindications of Ivan-tea, like all other plants, are due to its chemical composition. Young leaves and rhizomes contain:
- tannins (20%);
- mucus (up to 15%);
- vitamin C (up to 588 mg in 100 grams of fresh grass, and in lemons this substance is 6 times less);
- lectins;
- cellulose;
- sugar;
- flavonoids;
- pectin;
- alkaloids;
- organic acids;
- tannin (20% in roots and 10% in leaves);
- proteins (up to 20%).
The following trace elements were found in 100 grams of fresh, only plucked raw materials:
- iron (23 mg);
- manganese (16 mg);
- boron (6 mg);
- nickel (1.3 mg);
- titanium (1.3 mg);
- molybdenum (0.44 mg);
- copper;
- manganese;
- cob alt;
- lithium;
- potassium;
- calcium;
- phosphorus s alts.
Useful substances are also found in flowers, buds and seeds.
Healing characteristics of the plant, confirmed by scientists
Useful properties and contraindications of Ivan-tea are based primarily on the action of the substances contained in the plant. Also, the therapeutic features of this herb are influenced by the methods of its preparation and use. According to numerous experiments conducted on animals and testing on volunteers, official medicine has recognized the following medicinal qualities of the plant:
- Anti-inflammatory. Ivan-tea has the highest effect among all currently known plants.
- Enveloping. They are provided by the high content of mucus in the leaves.
- Cytostatic (antineoplastic). Based on the inflorescences of willow-tea, the drug "Hanerol" was created, which is used to treat cancer patients.
- Hemagglutinating (this means gluing and moving bacteria or cells carrying antigens into the sediment). Such a propertyplants gives the right to use it in the treatment of mumps.
- Antiviral. Ivan-tea preparations are especially active in the fight against herpes.
- Antiallergic.
- Decongestants.
Healing characteristics of the plant noted by healers
Folk healers use the beneficial properties of Ivan-tea more widely. It was first introduced to the world as a he althy plant by Maria Treban, an Austrian herbalist who lived in the 20th century. She published many books with her own recipes for the treatment of dozens of diseases. Many of them include Ivan tea, which Maria advised using to get rid of certain diseases in men, in particular for the treatment of the prostate. In Russia, this herb was brewed before, but no one knew exactly what it helped with. Now folk healers are well aware of the beneficial properties and contraindications of Ivan tea and advise using it in the following situations:
- problems with the digestive tract (ulcer, gastritis, colitis, dysbacteriosis, stool disorders, heartburn);
- headaches, migraines;
- insomnia, waking up in the middle of the night;
- pain of various etiologies in any part of the body;
- metabolic disorders;
- allergies;
- infectious diseases, including scrofula, syphilis, tuberculosis, gonorrhea;
- angina, otitis media, sinusitis;
- anemia;
- oncological diseases;
- intoxication;
- infertility;
- low potency.
Ivan-tea is actively used:
- as a choleretic and diuretic;
- for wound healing(outer);
- for the treatment of male and female diseases;
- for poor lactation;
- for cardiovascular diseases;
- as a sedative for various mental disorders;
- with inflammatory processes in the oral cavity (gingivitis, stomatitis).
This herb can also be brewed by he althy people to prevent many ailments. Tea from it is very pleasant to the taste, has a specific aroma. It is useful for all people who are actively involved in sports or doing hard physical work.
Use in cosmetology
The beneficial properties of the Ivan-tea plant help the fair sex to always be young and irresistible. You can use fresh or dry fermented herbs for the preparation of decoctions and infusions, as well as alcohol tinctures.
They can be purchased at a pharmacy (it may be written on the bottle that this is fireweed tincture) or you can make it yourself. For this purpose, dry raw materials can be used. In this case, you need to take it only 20 grams, pour a glass of alcohol diluted to 40 degrees (or vodka) and leave for 10 days.
If fresh raw materials are used, it will take about half a glass. The grass must be washed and chopped, placed in a glass and pour 250 ml of vodka. Means to insist 14 days.
In addition, you can make alcohol tincture exclusively from Ivan-tea inflorescences. They need to be collected at the end of July. Flowers are filled with any container by volume, poured with vodka and insisted for 2 months in a dark coollocation.
In cosmetology, the beneficial properties of Ivan-tea (fireweed) help fight the following problems:
- aging, skin aging;
- acne;
- microtrauma (cracks);
- skin fatigue;
- increased greasiness;
- dry skin.
Masks, including willow-tea, help with inflamed, irritated, weather-beaten skin of the face and hands, and rinsing with decoctions based on this plant helps to normalize the condition of the scalp (make hair less greasy). Strengthen hair follicles, relieve itching and help get rid of dandruff.
There are a lot of recipes used in cosmetology. Here are some of them:
1. Anti-inflammatory mask. Take 10 ml of Ivan-tea tincture for alcohol, add a little bit of oatmeal and fine s alt, mix thoroughly. Apply this mask on the face (keep no more than 10 minutes), rinse gently with water. Lubricate the skin with a cream appropriate for its type. This treatment reduces acne.
2. Compresses for the treatment of acne. Make an infusion of fresh Ivan-tea raw materials (pour three soup spoons with 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 1 hour, strain). In the resulting product, the cloth is moistened and applied to the face. Hold for 10 minutes, then wash with warm water.
3. Anti-aging mask. You need to do it every 2 days. Ingredients:
- spirit tincture of Ivan-tea (teaspoon);
- fresh zucchini juice (5 ml);
- 1 yolk.
All components are mixed and applied to the face. Leave for 10 minutes. Wash away. Apply the creamskin type.
Decoctions or infusions are prepared from Ivan-tea to strengthen hair. The procedure for rinsing the hair is carried out after each shampooing.
Useful properties of Ivan tea for men
It was mentioned above that Maria Treben, an herbalist from Austria, was the first to talk about the possibility of using Ivan-tea to treat diseases of men. She pointed out that this herb is excellent for such serious problems as prostatitis and prostate adenoma. Now Ivan-tea is also actively used to increase potency, treat men for infertility, with urolithiasis, for faster recovery of the body after operations of any complexity on the prostate.
Mainly, problems with male organs appear in the stronger sex after 40 years, because by this age many of them reduce their physical activity, walk a little, do not play sports. Also, by the age of forty, toxins accumulate from prolonged drinking and smoking, immunity decreases after suffering many infectious diseases. These causes of inflammation of the prostate and the appearance of a tumor (adenoma) are characteristic of many men. Therefore, it is very useful for all representatives of the stronger sex to drink fireweed tea for prevention, even when a formidable diagnosis has not yet been made.
Healers widely use the beneficial properties of Ivan-tea for men. Instructions for taking potions and preparations from it may differ slightly. Here are some recipes:
1. With prostate adenoma. It is necessary to prepare an infusion from dry raw materials. tea room (witha small slide) pour a spoonful of raw materials with boiling water (like classic tea), insist until a characteristic color appears. Such a drink should be consumed twice a day.
2. With prostatitis. It is necessary to brew the grass in a water bath and insist. Take 2 soup spoons of dry raw materials, pour 250 ml of boiling water, cover with a lid, place in another bowl with water and put on fire. Boil 20 minutes. After another 50 minutes insist. The amount of infusion is adjusted to 200 ml by adding boiled water to it. Drink 100 ml before meals.
3. With infertility and poor potency. Take a soup spoon of grass, place in a thermos, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for 60 minutes, filter. You need to drink 50 ml before meals for one and a half to two months.
Useful properties of Ivan tea for women
The fair sex has its own problems regarding the genitourinary system. The most common are:
- thrush;
- erosion;
- ovarian inflammation;
- hormonal disorders (due to birth control pills or due to age-related changes);
- pain and feeling unwell on critical days;
- inflammation of the appendages;
- uterine fibroids;
- young mothers have poor lactation.
According to reviews, the beneficial properties of Ivan tea for women really help in the treatment of these ailments. In addition, this drink reduces irritability, fatigue, helps to sleep well, improves the functioning of the digestive tract. We offer several popularrecipes:
1. On critical days. Take 1 soup spoon of dry raw willow-herb and yarrow, pour 200 ml of boiling water, let stand, then put on fire and bring to a boil, filter. Drink 100 ml during critical days.
2. With erosion. To prepare the decoction, take one soup spoon of Ivan-tea, calendula and dandelion, pour 200 ml of boiling water, leave for an hour, filter, drink 100 ml twice a day. To prepare a solution for tampons and douching, take a soup spoon of fireweed herb, pour 200 ml of boiling water, let it cool, filter, add a couple of drops of tea tree oil. Use at bedtime.
It is important to note that fireweed can also be consumed by pregnant women, as there is no evidence of its negative impact on the fetus.
For kids
A truly amazing plant willow-herb. The benefits and benefits of this herb are endless. It can even be given to babies. But in this case, you need to consult a pediatrician. For children, the following properties of Ivan-tea are used:
- anti-inflammatory (helps with various infectious diseases, including scrofula, flu);
- antipyretic;
- sedative (improves sleep, relieves anxiety, irritability, moodiness);
- cleansing (helps remove harmful substances from the body);
- tonic (restores and boosts immunity);
- painkiller (for teething).
Also, Ivan-tea is used to treat diathesis, stool disorders, dysbacteriosis,thyroid glands. For schoolchildren, this drink helps relieve fatigue and concentrate.
Drink for babies (from two years old) is prepared very weak. Take just a small pinch (less than a teaspoon) of herbs in a glass of boiling water, leave for 10 minutes, filter. Drink no more than 50 ml twice a day.
Children from 8 years old to prepare a drink take 1 soup spoon of raw materials per 200 ml of boiling water.
Contraindications and side effects
Unfortunately, Ivan-tea has not only useful properties. And he also has contraindications. This herb should not be consumed in the following cases:
- allergic to fireweed;
- blood clotting problems;
- simultaneous treatment with sedatives or antipyretics.
Caution should be used with Ivan-tea preparations for people suffering from thrombophlebitis, varicose veins, bowel dysfunction.
After drinking a fireweed drink for 2 months, everyone, without exception, should take a short break.
Most people in reviews of the beneficial properties and contraindications of Ivan tea note only the positive qualities of this plant. Preparations from it extremely rarely cause side effects, expressed in increased drowsiness, stool disorder or skin rashes. They are observed in those who exceed the dose or have an individual intolerance to this herb.
Honey
Ivan-chai is recognized as a wonderful honey plant. During the flowering period, bees literally swarm over it. Each flower of fireweedis able to give 15 mg of nectar, and from a hectare of its crops you can get up to 600 kg of honey. It contains a lot of fructose and glucose, as well as the same useful vitamins and minerals as in the plant itself. Ivan-tea honey varies in sugar content, depending on the weather conditions prevailing during flowering. Warm and not very rainy summer is the most favorable. Honey turns out to be slightly watery, transparent, with a greenish tint, pleasant in smell and delicate in taste. Shortly after pumping, it crystallizes into large white crystals.
Useful properties of Ivan tea honey are as follows:
- helps with the healing of boils, wounds, acne, herpes (in this case, its external use);
- restores the functioning of the digestive tract (used for gastritis, ulcers, high acidity, colitis, enteritis and many other diseases of the intestines and stomach);
- normalizes blood pressure and heart function;
- increases immunity;
- makes the walls of blood vessels (blood and lymph) more elastic;
- indispensable for colds, diseases of the bronchi and ENT organs;
- restores the blood formula;
- relieves headache, used for migraines, sleep disorders;
- useful for men (used to treat prostatitis, impotence);
- included in the complex therapy of cancer.
You can use fireweed honey by diluting a spoon in a glass of water or milk. You can also take it separately in a teaspoon daily. It is useful to include it in the composition of face masks andhair.
Contraindications for this honey are the same as for other preparations from Ivan-tea. In addition, it should not be consumed by those who are allergic to any bee products.
Koporsky drink
Useful properties of Ivan-tea (angut-leaved fireweed) became widely known only in the twentieth century. Prior to this, it was used in their potions only by healers and monks, who were forbidden to drink other drinks than water. In the 17th century, near the village of Koporka, near St. Petersburg, the production of fireweed tea was organized. Local dealers passed it off as a Chinese product, which was very much appreciated in those years. But among the people it was called Koporsky and was considered a low-grade drink. The government even specifically issued an order prohibiting the use of any fireweed drinks.
Today, Koporye tea is extremely valuable, as it contains a lot of useful substances. It is prepared using a special technology. It practically does not differ from the production of other teas (Ceylon, Indian, Chinese). Our Russian peasant, who served at the embassy in China, spied on her.
It is important to know how to brew Ivan tea. The beneficial properties of the drink will be revealed in full if the process is carried out according to the technology proven over the years. The brewing container is better to take porcelain or glass. First, it is rinsed with boiling water. Next, put a teaspoon of dry tea into it, pour 250 ml of boiling water and cover with a thick cloth. After 15 minutes, the drink is ready. You can use it with honey (any), dates or raisins. Sugarbetter not to use. Depending on individual preferences, the concentration of tea can be changed, but brewing more than two teaspoons of dry raw materials in a glass of water is not recommended.
Fermentation
Koporsky tea differs from dry grass in that it goes through a fermentation stage. It involves the destruction of plant cells. At the same time, useful substances are released that remain in the raw material after the drying process. When brewing tea, enzymes and vitamins dissolve perfectly, turning into a drink. Therefore, the beneficial properties of fermented Ivan tea are more pronounced. 100 grams of this product contains:
- vitamins B (B1 - 0.11 mg, B2 - 0.12 mg, B3 - 0.3 mg, B5 - 1.172 mg, B6 - 0.176 mg, B9 - 24 mcg);
- Vitamin C - 13mg;
- potassium - 340mg;
- phosphorus - 165 mg;
- calcium - 110 mg;
- magnesium - 32mg;
- sodium - 12 mg;
- nickel - 1.3 mg;
- titanium - 1.3 mg;
- iron - 1.15mg;
- zinc - 1.15 mg;
- manganese - 1.09 mg;
- molybdenum - 0.44 mg;
- proteins - 4, 6 gr;
- carbs – 31.68g;
- fats – 1.8 gr.
Useful properties and contraindications of fermented tea are the same as those of other preparations from this plant.
To prepare raw materials, you need to collect the leaves and inflorescences of willow-tea during the flowering period, compact them tightly into any container that can be closed with a lid, and leave for a day. After 24 hours, the herb should smell like spoiled fruit compote. Raw materials are taken out of the container, poured intobowl and begin to knead. The movements are the same as when kneading dough. The mass must be periodically straightened and fluffed. Kneading can be replaced by twisting the leaves into tight tubes with the palms of your hands. As a result, the initial volume of grass is reduced by about three times, and the raw material becomes wet. After that, it is placed on a baking sheet and put in the oven. During the drying process, the grass is periodically mixed. The finished tea is black in color, has a pleasant smell.
Consumer opinions
On the beneficial properties of Ivan-tea, the reviews are exceptionally favorable. People note the excellent taste of the drink, a noticeable therapeutic effect after its use, the absence of any side effects with such treatment. Many people like the fact that tea can be given to babies, whose resistance to viral and infectious diseases significantly increases after the course of taking. Even those people who do not have serious diseases note in the reviews that this tea improves mood, relieves fatigue, irritability, and improves sleep. The only disadvantage consumers call the labor-intensive process of harvesting raw materials.
