Healing plant: 12 healing properties of fireweed
Fireweed (ivan tea) is one of the most famous medicinal plants in Russia. Our ancestors not only used its leaves for food, but also used them in the treatment of many diseases. This is not surprising: fireweed grows almost everywhere, gives a high yield and has a wide range of medicinal properties.
Today we will talk about the beneficial effects of this plant on the human body.
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Optimization of hematopoietic function
The composition of ivan tea contains iron compounds, as well as a balanced complex of vitamins that help regulate blood formation. The fireweed drink is recommended to be used for spleen pathologies, iron deficiency anemia and other blood disorders.
Digestion normalization
Ivan tea preparations have an analgesic, antiseptic and enveloping effect, contain useful mucus and tannins. They relieve constipation and heartburn, normalize digestive processes. The use of fireweed is indicated for dysbiosis, gastritis, gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, pancreatitis, as well as poisoning and intestinal dysfunctions of various origins.
Powerful antiseptic effect
A decoction and infusion of ivan tea are used to suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms in the treatment of inflammatory diseases. As an antiseptic, they are no less effective than such proven remedies as oak and willow bark, string herb and calendula flowers. Fireweed preparations are suitable for rinsing in case of infection of the upper respiratory tract, mucous membranes of the mouth and sinuses.
During the period of spread of ARVI and influenza, ivan tea can be used for preventive purposes.
Diuretic
Fireweed preparations have a mild diuretic effect. Broths are recommended to drink for inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, as well as for urolithiasis. Due to its antibacterial, diuretic and analgesic properties, ivan tea is indispensable for acute and chronic cystitis. It smoothly lowers blood pressure in patients with hypertension, relieves edema, and helps maintain the correct water-salt balance.
Maintaining men's health
All parts of the plant are used in the treatment of prostatitis, prostate adenoma and erectile dysfunction. The positive effect of fireweed preparations on the condition of the male genital area has been clinically confirmed.
In case of prostate diseases, it is advised to take a drink made from 15 g of dry crushed bark and roots of ivan tea and 200 ml of boiling water every day. The mixture is infused for 1 hour, then filtered and drunk 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
Sedation
The calming effect of the infusion and broth of fireweed is similar to the action of medicinal valerian preparations, but, unlike them, ivan tea does not have a sharp specific smell. A drink from its leaves is prescribed for insomnia, neurosis, increased excitability and aggressiveness, headaches, depression, hysteria, alcoholic psychosis, anxiety and sudden mood swings.
Regular intake of fireweed infusions helps women suffering from nervous disorders during menopause, premenstrual syndrome, or difficult to endure "critical days".
Wound healing properties
Ivan tea preparations have antibacterial, astringent and regenerating properties. They treat superficial skin lesions and poorly healing wounds.
Dentists note the positive effect of the plant's infusion on the mucous membrane and tissues of the oral cavity: daily rinsing reduces the looseness of the gums, helps to reduce their bleeding and preserves the integrity of the tooth enamel.
Reducing pain
For the preparation of an anesthetic, the roots and rhizomes of fireweed are used. A tablespoon of dry raw materials is poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted for 45 minutes and filtered. The resulting drink is taken 1 tablespoon 3 times a day for headaches and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Increased lactation
Fireweed tea is useful for nursing mothers: it has almost no contraindications and contains substances that enhance lactation. Ivan tea preparations stabilize the work of the female endocrine system. Their use helps to prolong the period of breastfeeding and improve the health of the newborn.
Antineoplastic activity
In various parts of the plant, substances were found that are low-toxic to the human body, but effectively suppress the growth of cancer cells. In addition to them, the fireweed contains antioxidants (flavonoids, carotenoids, etc.), which also have an antitumor effect. Ivan tea infusions and decoctions are also used for the early restoration of vitality in patients who have undergone courses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
Stabilization of metabolic processes
Regular consumption of ivan tea provides a noticeable improvement in the body. This plant contains substances that stabilize metabolic processes, regulate the utilization of fats and carbohydrates. The fireweed herb is rich in pectins, which help to remove toxins and harmful metabolic products from the body.
Rejuvenating effect
It has been found that people who regularly consume drinks made from willow tea leaves often look younger than their age. They contain components (phytosterols, carotenoids and flavonoids) that promote increased collagen production and slow down the aging process of the skin. External use of fireweed infusions helps to moisturize the skin and increase its tone, and also improves the condition of the hair.
Food use
Until the beginning of the 20th century, a very healthy and tasty drink, "Koporsky tea", was popular in Russia. It was an infusion of willow tea leaves that had undergone a fermentation process. Modern Russians should also be interested in this product, especially since the raw materials for its preparation are quite affordable. Finding fireweed is easy: it grows almost everywhere. Of course, it is worth collecting raw materials for Koporye tea only in ecologically clean places, far from industrial enterprises and busy roads. The herb is fermented to improve the taste of the infusion, but you can simply dry it in a well-ventilated place. Dry leaves are added to tea leaves or they are used as an independent drink.
Indications and contraindications
The use of ivan tea has almost no contraindications. It can be drunk by pregnant women, nursing mothers and people suffering from most chronic ailments. It is recommended to take it with caution to patients suffering from varicose veins and bleeding disorders. Before giving Koporye tea to children under two years old, you should consult a pediatrician.
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Maria Kulkes Medical journalist About the author
Education: First Moscow State Medical University named after I. M. Sechenov, specialty "General Medicine".
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