Author: Alena Dorozhkina , unique tea specialist,
professional tea-tester
The traditions of using herbal infusions and decoctions are rooted in ancient times. For the manufacture of drinks with unique effects and helping to restore strength and energy, a variety of fees were used & mdash; based on oregano, raspberry, currant or St. John's wort.
Each of them provided not only a pleasant warming aftertaste, but also contributed to an overall improvement in well-being, giving the necessary natural vitamins and minerals.
Among the popular plant-based recipes that remain in demand today, Ivan-tea & ndash deserves special attention; We will talk about its composition, therapeutic properties, benefits and harms to human health, as well as contraindications and benefits in this article.
Overview
References to boiling narrow-leaved are found in the Novgorod annals, the date of compilation of which is considered to be the VIII century. Given the unpretentiousness of grass, which can grow even in the most severe climatic conditions, its fame is easy to explain.
Every year, residents of Russian settlements collected billets for the winter, providing a sufficient amount of reserves for the year ahead.
Our Ivan Tea Range
We offer black and green ivan-tea, as well as ivan-based herbal teas tea:
The technology of manufacture, borrowed from the eastern neighbors, made it possible to conduct experiments with fermentation, thanks to which the taste of the finished drink lost its pronounced herbal hue and became brighter and more saturated. With the formation of full-fledged production, exports to European and Asian countries were organized.
The beneficial medicinal properties of plant leaves for men and women (Ivan tea is distinguished not only by taste, but also by the rich content of natural components) soon became known even in China and England, where it was especially appreciated by local experts.
As a result, this popularity, which for a long time went sideways to the owners of Indian plantations, even led to the fact that at the end of the 19th century someone started a rumor about the addition of white clay to the composition, which poses a serious threat to human health.
The myth turned out to be quite convincing & mdash; supply volumes declined sharply, and after the events of 1917, trade was completely stopped.
Today, however, this variety is once again attracting those who pay attention not only to the taste, but also to the beneficial characteristics of the drinks they drink.
Origin
Official name in botany & mdash; & nbsp; & laquo; narrow-leaved fireweed & raquo; & nbsp; (aka Chamerion angustifolium), however, in everyday life, names such as koporka or Ivan tea can be considered more common.
Growing throughout Russia, the most active & mdash; in the Altai and Ural regions and is unpretentious to soil saturation.
Helps restore the fertility of depleted areas, including those affected by fire, and then gives way to raspberries or meadowsweet.
The height of straight stems reaches two meters, texture & mdash; characterized by high bast properties. Young leaves are used in recipes for salads and first courses, shoots are consumed boiled (like asparagus), dried ground roots & mdash; go to make flour for bread.
It is curious that the most common name is not of Russian, but of European origin. It is believed that in the 7th century, all Slavs were called Ivanami & mdash; accordingly, the national tea drink was also called & laquo; Ivan tea & raquo; for convenience.
Composition
The raw material for the manufacture is mainly plant foliage, in rare cases & mdash; root and flower parts. Fermentation with the addition of linden, mint or other herbs characterized by a rich aroma is practiced. This combination gives the finished decoction original properties and taste.
Fireweed contains many natural components and trace elements necessary to replenish the resources of the human body.
Unlike other varieties, it does not contain caffeine, which allows you to safely use the infusion during pregnancy, the presence of chronic health problems, or at an early age.
The insoluble fibers of the green part of the plant contain three times more ascorbic acid than orange pulp, so the use of the drink as a preventive agent in autumn and winter & mdash; recommendation from most professionals.
It also contains many minerals (calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, sodium, manganese) and vitamins (A, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9, C).
These substances help to obtain a huge number of useful elements for maintaining physiological and biochemical processes in the human body.
What's the use of Ivan Tea
In ancient times, it was believed that a properly prepared decoction can cope with most of the known diseases and prevent the development of new ones. And there's definitely some truth in that & mdash; the positive effect of consumption is observed in many cases.
Vitamins and minerals contained in the drink contribute to the improved functioning of the heart, brain, nervous system and metabolism.
For men
Fireweed is recommended for diagnosed disorders of the functional state of the reproductive system, since the flavonoids that make up the grass help strengthen blood vessels and stimulate internal circulation.
Standard recipe & mdash; two tablespoons of collection per glass of boiling water, held in a thermos for at least an hour, then filtered and diluted with boiled water before use.
In addition, the drink helps to accelerate the withdrawal of toxic elements, which is especially important in a hangover state, strengthens the immune system and prevents the development of viral diseases, as well as prevents the appearance of inflammatory processes affecting the prostate.
For women
If we talk about what is useful tea from the leaves and flowers of Ivan tea for the female body & mdash; the medicinal properties of the herb should definitely include an improvement in the metabolic cycle and a slight diuretic effect, which leads to recommendations for use during weight loss.
Infusion helps to eliminate headaches and swelling, reduces the duration of bleeding, normalizes hormonal levels and suppresses anxiety.
In addition, there is a general improvement in appearance, restoration of smoothness, elasticity and natural skin tone with regular washing.
Learn more about properties
In the herbal medicine group, fireweed is used as a therapeutic agent.
The presence of tannins and moisturizers among the components determines the effectiveness of inflammation relief, tranquilization and envelopment. Active pectins eliminate cholesterol and provide an anti-allergenic effect, and natural sugars contribute to better absorption of biological components.
Folk recipes reveal in sufficient detail how Ivan tea is useful (and harmful) for human health and how to drink it with benefits for the body, so that the medicinal properties and substances of the plant show themselves to the fullest.
So, the aboveground part of the grass is recommended to be used as a means for rinsing an inflamed throat, poultices based on flowers & mdash; use for migraines and wounds, and in case of sleep disturbance, small doses of fireweed infusion can serve as an effective sleeping pill.
Prostatitis
Studies conducted by specialists from Austria and Germany confirm that the plant has a positive effect in a pathological state, slowing down the growth rate of a prostate tumor and relieving tissue inflammation due to an increased concentration of pectins and flavonoids.
For the stomach
By limiting the diet and observing the drinking regime, it is possible to achieve the relief of negative symptoms characteristic of gastric diseases. The benefits of the drink are determined by the enveloping effect and antibacterial properties of active trace elements that help restore the natural balance of the digestive system.
In hyperacidity gastritis
Regarding whether Ivan tea is useful for those who suffer from exacerbations of common gastroenterological pathology, it is worth noting the decrease in pain observed with systematic moderate consumption.
Plant components not only relieve inflammation, but also help in mucosal repair.
In this case, it is recommended that you get prior advice from your healthcare provider, who will tell you what you can and cannot consume during your therapy or remission.
At low acidity
The reverse form of the pathological state is also not an exclusive factor, and its negative manifestations can be partially extinguished due to a well-prepared decoction.
Enveloping and healing, the drink stimulates the rate of gastric repair and reduces soreness. It is recommended to brew in combination with herbs that equalize the level of acid content.
In hypertension
One of the advantages of sedation that occurs with the use of most herbal infusions & mdash; possibility of leveling the consequences of neurosis, which provokes a noticeable change in the values diagnosed during the measurement of systolic and diastolic pressure.
The presence of chlorophyll among the components promotes cellular oxygen saturation, accelerates the rate of cholesterol elimination and normalizes the internal metabolic cycle. Excess fluid is excreted due to the diuretic reaction, and a sufficient content of magnesium and potassium & mdash; provides stability of the functional state of the cardiovascular system.
In pancreatitis
Recommended recipe & mdash; use of poorly brewed infusion, without adding sweeteners of artificial or natural origin.
Drink warm, in small sips, no more than 300 ml per day. Before starting the course & mdash; seek medical advice, especially in the event of pregnancy or additional exacerbations of the general condition of the body.
Cystitis
Mineral trace elements included in fireweed help relieve spasmodic manifestations and painful sensations. The relief of inflammatory processes in the structure of the mucous membrane helps to avoid infection of bladder cells, the strength of which is increased due to tannin.
Contraindications
There are no categorical prohibitions regarding the composition of the decoction, but it should be borne in mind that the benefits and harmfulness of Ivan-chai largely depend on the frequency and volume of use.
So, a long cycle of administration can provoke slight dizziness, a drop in blood pressure and a feeling of general weakness. The laxative effect that accumulates as the dosage increases ultimately increases the risk of dehydration.
It is also recommended to refrain from regular teas with boiling water infusion for those diagnosed with insufficient blood clotting.
Procurement Rules and Methods
Tea material is usually collected manually. Diligent adherence to the technique that our ancestors used many centuries ago helps to achieve optimal taste, bright color and rich aroma.
How and when to assemble
The starting point is midsummer & mdash; around July 10-12, flowering and budding begin, and from that moment, until September, you can prepare the plant for future processing.
Optimal time & mdash; from morning, after dew and until the end of the first half of the day, until the buds begin to close.
Best & mdash; dry and hot weather, established in a day or others after heavy rain. Under such conditions, the grass will be cleaned and dry.
Instead of plastic containers, containers or bags, it is recommended to take wicker baskets, cotton or linen bags. Leaves are usually plucked along the central line, leaving 3-5 rows above and below.
Inflorescences are collected separately, which can be added to the composition after the drying and fermentation cycle is completed.
Start initial processing within 2-3 hours of collection.
The material needs to be sorted out and cleaned of unnecessary elements, including debris, impurities, insects, and so on.
Well, those who want to save time and get the best result without unnecessary effort should pay attention to the varieties presented in the catalog on the RChK website & mdash; there is guaranteed to be a suitable option for every taste.
Fermentation
The main stage in the creation process, on which the benefits of Ivan-tea grass in the finished drink depend. If you just pour dried fireweed with boiling water & mdash; the effect will be minimal, and the pleasure of using & mdash; below average.
The fermentation procedure involves the interaction of trace elements with oxygen, thanks to which they are oxidized and acquire the form most convenient for natural absorption by the human body.
In addition, this process distinguishes between black and green & mdash; with fermentation, the leaves gradually lose their pronounced herbal taste, acquiring instead deeper and more saturated characteristics, enhanced by additional roasting.
The simplest technology option & mdash; pouring leaves and placing them under a press for 48 hours, followed by drying in an oven heated to 90 degrees.
You can also arrange the collection into bags and put it in the freezer for 9-11 hours & mdash; after defrosting, the leaves are dried at room temperature, which provides a moderate aroma of the finished tea.
Fans of the granular format can use a meat grinder or blender to grind lightly dried grass and place it in a container covered with wet gauze for a third of the day.
For a deep degree of fermentation, the smell of dried apples is considered characteristic, so it will not be difficult to determine the readiness of the material.
The & nbsp; & laquo; Russian Tea Company & raquo; & nbsp; catalog also presents varieties that allow you to fully enjoy the features and advantages of a natural drink.
You can select and order green and black views, as well as combined & mdash; with linden added, thyme or vitamin harvest .Preparation
Compliance with the recommendations for brewing a drink can increase the benefits of the finished decoction. So, for two portions it is enough to take a tablespoon of fireweed and pour it with hot water (up to 100 & deg; C & mdash; black, up to 90 & deg; C & mdash; green varieties).
Duration of infusion & mdash; no more than five minutes, while high-quality brewing is designed for 3-4 spills, as the infusion will reveal new taste and aroma properties each time.
Let's summarize
So now you know everything about the use of Ivan tea & mdash; what are the useful and harmful properties, indications and contraindications to the composition, its effect on the human body and cooking features.
A well-made and measured drink helps restore metabolic processes, improve well-being and general condition, so remember to follow the basic recommendations.