Ivan tea: from prostate diseases to detox cures

Numerous positive medical effects proven

Once the economic ties between Russia and the West were more closely linked than many people today would assume, and one of the main export products of the tsarist empire was a plant, or rather the tea made from this plant, the so-called Ivan Chai or Iwan tea. Among other things, this had health reasons. Narrow-leaved willowherb, botanically 'Epilobium angustifolium', contains a number of ingredients that considerable effect in a number of diseases are said to be, for example with prostate problems, but also a positive preventive (and follow-up) influence in gastrointestinal complaints, menstrual disorders and as a post-pregnancy recovery tea.

According to legend, the tea is even said to be aphrodisiac

One of the main areas of distribution of the plant is Russia, where the seemingly delicate, but extremely robust plant was and is most grown and processed, especially around the place Koporje near St. Petersburg / Leningrad, where an industrial-like production facility existed early on , even including laboratories. That is why it bears the name Koporskij Chai or, in Western Europe, Iwan-Chai: Iwan tea. Even in the tsarist empire, it is said, tea made from components of this plant was drunk at the tsarist's court, and it has been handed down from then that this tea too aphrodisiac effect should have. We do not know whether one or the other Tsar may have drunk it for this very reason; The use of this tea not only among farmers and artisans, but especially among the Russian upper class, has been documented.

'The Ivan' fought with courage - and with Ivan tea

However, it is by no means the case that this so-called Ivan tea was only drunk in Russia. The tsarist empire exported it to Western Europe in considerable quantities for a long time, much to the chagrin of the English in particular, who naturally endeavored to sell as much as possible of the black tea they had so laboriously brought from India. The German Empire at the time did not like this export either. England and Germany are even said to have conspired together once in order to persuade Lenin to stop production and export to Western Europe in 1917. The background to these stories is that the tea made from this plant has interesting health effects. Among other things, he should be a Strengthening the immune system cause what is said to have made the Russian soldiers less susceptible to external climatic influences for a long time than the troops advancing from the west. This effect, among other things, has in the meantime (again) moved into the interest of doctors and naturopaths, because it is not simply to be denied away, as inveterate orthodox doctors still try to this day.

One of the most vitamin C-rich plants ever

Modern conventional medicine-oriented research has also long since taken on the topic, and many reports, sometimes frowning, confirm it. The strengthening of the immune system, which was so valued in the tsarist army, is related, among other things, to the high vitamin C content of the plant, which is why the tea tastes a bit sour. With 200 mg of vitamin C per 100 g of fresh green leaves, Epilobium angustifolium is one of the strongest vitamin bombs in the plant kingdom, stronger than many citrus fruits. An orange, for example, can only hide behind it. Overall, Epilobium is not dissimilar in taste to black tea, but it does not contain caffeine. The immunological effect is noticeable in various areas: fireweed tea helps with Rehabilitation of the gastrointestinal tract. It acts antibacterial, relieves pain when urinating, especially in men, and in Menstrual cramps women, for example with heavy menstrual bleeding. After pregnancy, fireweed tea is recommended because it has a revitalizing and strengthening effect, sometimes used together with other plants. It is also useful during menopause for the same reason, especially since it relieves hot flashes. It not only improves the general well-being of women and contributes to a strengthening of the entire constitution.

Fireweed tea relieves inflammation of all kinds

The skin and respiratory tract are also grateful for the use of fireweed tea because its ingredients have an antibacterial and in many cases anti-inflammatory effect. Willowherb tea is therefore not only suitable for drinking, but also for rinsing / 'gargling'. At Inflammation of the skin willowherb compresses can be applied to help relieve such inflammation.

Almost something of a miracle plant

One of the most common areas of application of these - one might almost say: miracle plants are Kidney, bladder and prostate ailments. Inflammation of the urinary tract, painful urination and especially the so-called benign prostatic hyperplasia, that is a pathological but benign enlargement of the prostate gland, a widespread prostate disease especially in older men, can be relieved with fireweed tea, if not completely reduced. Acute as well as chronic inflammation, as well Enlargements of the prostate can be treated and alleviated with it. Narrow-leaved willowherb is said to have even anti-cancer (not preventive or curative!) Influences, which is now seen and recognized not only by naturopaths, but also by many conventional medical practitioners. Of course, there can be no promise of healing, but conventional medicine can not do that either.

Fit through detox cures, including fireweed tea

A special area of application for Epilobium angustifolium is its increasing popularity Detox curewhich is especially recommended in spring to get the body back in shape and revving up after the mostly sluggish winter months. Anyone planning such a detox regimen is well advised to include willowherb tea in it. Due to the composition of its ingredients, this tea is ideally suited for Purification of the organism'to help. Willowherb tea contributes to, among other things Blood purification which also relieves the liver.

To be found in Germany up to the Alps

The narrow-leaved willowherb is circumpolar, that is: distributed in countries near the North Pole all over the world. It also grows in Germany all the way down to the Alps. It feels most comfortable at so-called ruderal locations, which are places like rubble heaps, stony roadsides or extremely poor, poor meadows, all places that few other plants are willing to share with them. A distinctive feature of the fireweed is that it is often called Lead plant occurs. Where there was a large area of fire, there is this rose, by the way not related to roses despite its name is, but is only named because of its rose-like-looking flowers, as one of the first, often as the very first plant to settle again in such locations, and then usually in larger numbers. Narrow-leaved willowherb is therefore sometimes also Fire rose called. Coltsfoot can often be found on these so-called ruderal locations, as well as the common plantain, and often certain types of thistle up to the milk thistle, which is not native here.

A jack of all trades that is also edible

So the rose, which is not a rose, is a small (?) Jack of all trades. As an aside, it should be mentioned that all parts of the plant are edible except for the roots. Tender shoots that are still young can be prepared in a similar way to asparagus. Flowers and flower buds embellish every salad plate and taste very good too. In addition, willowherb ingredients have always been used for other purposes. Some Indian tribes have always peeled the older stems and used the peeled bark for braiding. Others wove the woolly seed hairs from the pods that had split open after flowering into the fabrics of their clothes. One of its nicest qualities is that it doesn't only look beautiful, especially in the flowering period. The fireweed magically attracts butterflies and especially bees. Honey made from fireweed pollen has a particularly pleasant taste and, like tea, is very healthy. In addition, the plant visually enriches the garden. There it should stand a little apart from other plants, and it also needs plenty of nutrients and, above all, plenty of regular water.