2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
The narrow lanceolate leaves of the fireweed are the basis for the famous Koporye tea. Today I will tell you more about this amazing flower. Where is the plant found? How to prepare raw materials yourself in order to enjoy the aroma of a healthy drink on long winter evenings?
The narrow-leaved fireweed in the common people called Ivan-tea, for the similarity of bright red flowers with the festive shirt of guys in Russia, is a perennial herb up to 1.5 m high. The erect thick stem is completely covered with bright green elongated leaves. Forms many side shoots.
At the top is a pointed brush with bright crimson inflorescences, exuding a honey aroma. The extended flowering from June to August allows the collection of medicinal raw materials all summer long. At this time, it contains the maximum amount of nutrients.
All parts of the plant are edible. In Russia, not only teas, but also salads, soups were prepared from leaves and young shoots. Fresh and scalded roots replaced traditional cabbage. For the winter they were dried, ground into flour for flat cakes and bread.
Gathering place
Fireweed rhizome culture. Over time, growing, it forms large tracts, consisting exclusively of this plant. Fresh clearings, damp areas, lowlands, strips along forest roads, abandoned vegetable gardens, settlements, forest outskirts are favorite habitats. In some areas, he is called a firefighter because he is the first to settle in fresh ashes.
Fireweed is photophilous, therefore it does not grow in deaf and shady areas. Small seeds are provided with a white hairy fluff, which allows the wind to carry them over long distances. This is how new landings appear.
Glades located near industrial enterprises, near busy highways, landfills, in settlements are not suitable for collecting medicinal raw materials.
Procurement of source material
Leaves are used exclusively for Koporye tea. They are collected by the method of smoothening in the upper and middle parts of the plant. They choose healthy specimens, without signs of disease and mechanical damage by pests. Holding the upper part with one hand, the other is carried along the stem from top to bottom. The leaves remain in the hand. The plant does not suffer greatly from this, giving a new crop of seeds.
Collect raw materials selectively from individual plants. In each meadow a little, so as not to harm the reproduction, avoiding dusty places. The best time is in the morning in dry weather.
Partially you can collect inflorescences, at the very beginning of blooming. A delay in harvesting them leads to the formation and ripening of seeds during drying. Therefore, instead of fragrant buds, an unpleasant-looking fluff is obtained. In the old days it was used for stuffing pillows and mattresses. That gave another name to this plant - a down jacket.
The chemical composition of the herb
The leafy part of fireweed contains from 10 to 20% tannin (tannins), up to 15% mucus, non-toxic alkaloids 0.1%, a lot of vitamin C, group B, pectin, sugars, phytosterols, provitamin A, organic acids, macro- and microelements. In terms of protein number, it ranks first among medicinal plants. Shredding the leaves significantly increases this figure.
The presence of a large amount of nutrients determines its widespread use for various diseases. Helps to replenish the lack of vitamins in the human body in the winter-spring period. Charges with vivacity, reduces fatigue.
Koporsky tea concentrates as much as possible all the medicinal properties of fireweed, surpassing the original. What is its value? How did Koporye tea appear? Consider in the next article.
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