Ivan-tea: benefits and harms, how to brew, nutritionist's advice

Ivan tea is a purple flower from which hot and cold drinks were prepared back in Rus'. Several decades ago, it was almost forgotten, being classified as a garden pest. The benefits of Ivan tea are increasingly being confirmed by scientific research, so that in 2022 the Ministry of Agriculture even planned to secure the status of Ivan tea as an agricultural product. We tell you how Ivan tea is useful and whether it can replace regular tea.

• What's happened
• Why Ivan tea?
• Benefits of Ivan tea
• Use of Ivan tea
• Contraindications
• How to brew
• Expert commentary

What is Ivan-tea

Ivan tea (botanical name: fireweed, Epilobium angustifolium) is a perennial and fast-growing plant that is found in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The fireweed reaches two meters in height, has wedge-shaped leaves and, as a rule, purple or pink flowers. Very rarely, you can find white inflorescences.

Fireweed is unpretentious and takes over new territories at the speed of a weed. This plant especially loves open spaces, easily takes root both in the shade and in full sun (1).

Why Ivan tea?

It is believed that in ancient times the name Ivan was attributed to the flower for its ability to strengthen men's health and strength.Another name for Ivan tea is Koporsky tea. It comes from the name of the village of Kopory, where Ivan tea was grown in the 18th century. There are a total of ten alternative names for the plant: bread vine, miller's vine, dremuha, mother vine, squeaker, fire vine. In Europe, this plant is called willow grass.

The benefits of Ivan tea

Studies of the chemical composition of fireweed have shown the content of many biologically active substances in different parts of the plant (2):

• the rhizomes contain carbohydrates (starch, sugar and pectin), alkaloids and tannins;
• fireweed flowers are rich in vitamin B and C, with the content of vitamin C in fireweed being three times greater than in oranges and six and a half times greater than in lemons;
• Ivan tea contains organic acids, flavonoids and phytosterols;
• It also contains a large set of minerals: iron, copper, manganese, calcium and others.

At the same time, there is no caffeine or oxalic acid in fireweed.

100 g of green mass contains (3):

• iron, 2.3 mg;
• nickel, 1.3 mg;
• copper, 2.3 mg;
• manganese, 16 mg;
• titanium, 1.3 mg;
• molybdenum, 0.44 mg;
• boron, 6 mg.

Ivan tea has been used in herbal medicine for centuries. (4). In Rus', a drink made from Ivan tea was used to relieve all types of pain, and women drank it to ease severe contractions. Fireweed leaves were used to treat the navel of a newborn, and they were also used to treat various skin diseases.

In Europe, a poultice of peeled fireweed roots was used to relieve skin irritations, including burns, rashes, and itching.

In Native American tribes, decoctions of this herb helped treat skin wounds, coughs, constipation, and other stomach problems. However, there are records warning against drinking decoctions of fireweed, as it was believed to have intoxicating properties. (5).

Use of Ivan tea

Ivan tea is widely used in folk medicine, but it is not included in the official register of medicines. Most often, it is consumed as tea or a more concentrated decoction, including for external therapy. Ivan tea is also a culinary ingredient. Almost all parts of the plant are edible. Those who love organic cosmetics should also take a closer look at fireweed.

Ivan tea in medicine

In the Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) consider the experience of safe use of fireweed (willow herb) accumulated over 30 years to be sufficient. Among the diseases for which this plant can be used to treat are benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and urinary tract problems. (6).

• The presence of pectin substances and a large amount of organic acids in fireweed promotes detoxification of the body.
• Flavonoids have a capillary-strengthening and anti-inflammatory effect.
• Due to coumarins, fireweed helps relieve various types of pain, reduce fever and fight germs.
• In addition, fireweed calms the nervous system, has moderate sedative properties and helps reduce aggression and stress..

Due to the high content of tannins, tannins and flavonoids, fireweed has the highest coefficient of anti-inflammatory action among herbs growing in our latitudes, says Alexandra Razarenova.

Fireweed can be used in the treatment of:

• respiratory diseases;
• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• gastritis, peptic ulcer, cholecystitis;
• problems in the field of gynecology and urology (urolithiasis, cystitis).

Ivan-tea in cooking

In ancient times, ground roots of the plant were added to flour and used for baking bread. They were also used to make an alcoholic drink.

Fireweed leaves can be used in fresh salads or soups. The flowers of the plant serve as a base for jam or honey. Ivan tea also has a use in everyday life. Since ancient times, the fluff that covers the top of the stem during flowering was collected in Rus' to fill pillows and mattresses.

Nowadays, Ivan-tea is more often used as tea. The drink has a pleasant sour taste and can be served both hot and chilled.

Ivan-tea in cosmetology

Aqueous solutions based on fireweed are used in the preparation of homemade face masks, tonics, as well as hair balms and rinses.

• Protects skin from stress. Recent studies of fireweed have shown its ability to make a significant contribution to protecting cells from stress, to promote changes in skin structure and to significantly influence the aging process (8). The observed most beneficial properties of fireweed extract are associated with the presence of gallic acid in this extract.
• Moisturizes the skin. The vitamins, minerals and proteins contained in large quantities in fireweed help form a protective film on the skin surface, which helps reduce transepidermal water loss. Thus, fireweed can serve as a good skin moisturizer (9).

Contraindications and the harm of fireweed

There are no special contraindications to the use of Ivan tea. However, doctors warn that long-term use of the decoction can cause problems with the gastrointestinal tract.

How to brew Ivan tea correctly

The preparation of the drink is not much different from other leaf and herbal teas, if we are talking about a dried product. For freshly picked fireweed, the procedure will be slightly different. Let's consider two methods.

1. To brew dried fireweed, you will need clean utensils and water.
2. Place two to three tablespoons of tea leaves into a teapot that has been rinsed with hot water.
3. Pour boiling water over it, close the lid. You can also wrap the teapot in a towel.
4. Let the drink steep for 10–15 minutes.
5. Ivan tea is ready to drink.

The drink can also be prepared from fresh fireweed. In this case, the leaves require preliminary preparation.

1. Wash the collected fresh leaves and let them dry.
2. Place the fireweed on the bottom of a saucepan, add water and bring to a boil.
3. Boil on low heat for five minutes. Then remove and let steep for another 15 minutes.
4. The drink is ready.

In addition to traditional methods of brewing in water, fireweed can be prepared in milk, adding berries or pieces of fruit to give the drink a piquant note. You can also infuse Ivan-tea in cool water to obtain a refreshing drink.

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