How to store and brew delicious Ivan-tea at home

Of all the herbs used for the prevention and treatment of illnesses, fireweed stands out. This beautiful plant with bright flowers is widely used in folk medicine recipes due to its medicinal properties. You can harvest and prepare the herb yourself, but first, you need to learn the proper harvesting and storage procedures.

Description of the plant

The plant's other name is fireweed. Fireweed grows in most regions. It can be found in central and southern Russia, Siberia, and the Urals. It's undemanding of climate and soil, primarily growing in forest clearings or near trees, as well as near rivers and lakes.

Fireweed grows in large clumps, and when in bloom, it's unmistakable. A mature stem reaches 30-50 centimeters in height. The upright stem is adorned with small, purple-crimson flowers 5-7 millimeters in diameter. Flowering begins in July and continues until September. By September, a seed head ripens within the flowers, which will later develop into young plants.

Healing abilities

The plant contains vitamins C and B, as well as numerous minerals: potassium, manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, and calcium. The juice contains lectin, pectin, organic compounds, and tannins. All of these substances, when ingested, have an anti-inflammatory effect, relieve spasms in various organs, and remove toxic compounds. Fireweed is used to treat:

• gastritis;
• ulcers;
• gastrointestinal diseases;
• cleansing the body.

Fireweed is an excellent sedative, improves sleep, and normalizes the nervous system. It is recommended for those suffering from panic attacks and nervous disorders.

The plant contains antioxidants that block the action of free radicals, which is why fireweed is used for cancer prevention. The plant boosts the body's immune system and can even increase lifespan. A course of the herb is essential if you frequently suffer from viral infections (more than once a year) or experience constant weakness and malaise.

Other indications for the use of fireweed are:

• conjunctivitis;
• otitis;
• sinusitis;
• anemia;
• kidney problems;
• herpes;
• inflammation of the pelvic organs;
• high blood pressure;
• arrhythmia.

When used regularly and correctly, fireweed is harmless, but in high concentrations it significantly lowers blood pressure and causes intestinal upset. For men, frequent use of this medicinal herb can cause erectile dysfunction.

Procedure for collection and use

Ivan tea is consumed only as a tincture or decoction. Its beneficial elements are extracted, then diluted to the desired concentration and drunk on an empty stomach or throughout the day. The maximum dose should not exceed 2 glasses of decoction per day. To feel the effects of the herb, it should be consumed for at least a month. Then, a break is required. The course is repeated after 6-8 weeks.

Harvesting begins in midsummer, around July 20th. The flower cluster is already half-open, meaning the plant's benefits will be maximized. By the end of July, when the inflorescence is fully open, a fluffy substance forms at the base. This fireweed is no longer suitable for harvesting; the fluff can end up in the infusion.

Before you begin collecting, you need to consider several more factors that will determine the quality of the harvest:

• Weather conditions. Fireweed should be harvested in dry but cloudy weather;
• Collection time. The collection process begins in the morning, no later than noon, or in the evening;
• Collection location. If fireweed grows close to a road, don't pick it. Choose plants growing near trees or in slightly shaded areas. These are better suited for further harvesting.

Begin harvesting the herb: pluck the leaves and most of the inflorescences from the upper part of the plant, but those that haven't yet produced seeds. Avoid uprooting the fireweed or pressing hard on the stem, as this will destroy it, and the fireweed simply won't grow back next year. Then place the collected leaves and flowers in a bag or bucket for further storage.

Preparing for drying

When properly prepared, the herb will be aromatic when brewed, and its flavor will be incredibly pleasant. First, the leaves are rolled by hand into so-called "sausages"—elongated, thin tubes. This action causes the juices to flow from the leaves.

Instead of rolling, you can roll the leaves with a rolling pin. Press the rolling pin onto the collected herb for several minutes until the fireweed darkens.

Another preparation method requires physical strength. The fireweed is spread out on a piece of cloth in an even layer, then tightly rolled into a rope. During the rolling process, the cloth should become slightly damp from the liquid released by the plant.

Fermentation method

The process of preparing fireweed is called fermentation. Air oxidizes the leaves and flowers, triggering fermentation. Oxidation produces anaerobic microorganisms, which are killed by heat treatment. Fermentation significantly improves the herb's medicinal properties and flavor, so it's best not to neglect it.

The process is classified into several types based on duration. Depending on the fermentation time, tea is produced green, red, or black.

Light fermentation

This involves fermenting the tea for 3-6 hours. The finished product is green in color with a mild flavor and delicate aroma;

Medium fermentation

Fermentation takes at least 12-16 hours. The tea develops a tart flavor and its color turns red;

Deep fermentation

The process takes at least 24 hours. The tea tastes strong and is dark brown in color.

The prepared leaves (with the released juice) are placed in a saucepan, pressing them together to increase the amount of juice. They are covered tightly with a plate and pressed down with a heavy weight. The fermentation time is optional. However, it's important to remember that if the tea is steeped for more than 36 hours, it completely loses its medicinal properties and flavor.

Types of drying

The final step in preparing the product is drying. This involves applying heat to the leaves and flowers. Drying can be done in an oven or an electric dehydrator, similar to those used for preserving vegetables and berries. The result is the same in both methods; the only difference is the time it takes to dry.

In the oven

The fastest way to dry fireweed is to place it in a preheated oven for a few minutes. To do this, first cut the fermented leaves into small pieces no more than a centimeter wide and long. Then, spread them out on a baking sheet and place it in the oven at a temperature no higher than 100 degrees Celsius. Open the oven door slightly and leave the tea to dry for two hours. Turn the herb periodically to prevent it from burning.

When the leaves begin to break and crunch, stop heating and remove the baking sheet with the leaves. Layer several layers of cheesecloth on the table and pour the fireweed onto it. Then form a bag, tie it, and hang it in the entryway or in a room inside the house. It takes several days for the leaves to dry completely.

Using an electric dryer

Drying can be used when harvesting fireweed; it greatly simplifies the preparation process. Spread the leaves in a bowl and set the temperature to between 80 and 100 degrees Celsius. Dry for one and a half to two hours. After this time, test the fireweed by touch. If the leaves break easily, remove the contents and transfer them to a cloth bag. Dry the fireweed for another two to three days at home, then store.

In the sun

The oldest method also takes the longest. Find the sunniest spot in your home. It doesn't have to be a windowsill. A table or cabinet in a well-lit room will do. Lay newspaper or paper towels on the surface and sprinkle fireweed on the paper. Spread it in a thin layer and let it dry for a week.

Drying time depends on humidity and sunlight. If the weather is cloudy, the fireweed will take at least two weeks to dry. Turn the leaves periodically, at least once every three days. Then, when they are sufficiently dry, store them.

How to make tea using a meat grinder

To save time on manually grinding the herbs, you can use a kitchen meat grinder. The collected leaves are immediately passed through the grinder. To ensure they pass through easily and don't get tangled in the blade, they are first crushed into small clumps.

The resulting mass is lightly kneaded until liquid appears, then the twisted herbs are transferred to a saucepan and pressed down. The process is then continued as described above.

How to cook

Dried herbs must be brewed properly. The amount required depends on the nature of the illness. Each condition has its own specific dosage and dilution guidelines:

1. For gastrointestinal conditions, ulcers, and gastritis, brew 20 grams of the herb in a cup of boiling water. Let the mixture steep for no more than an hour, then strain through cheesecloth and drink in 3-4 doses during lunch or dinner. The treatment course is one month.
2. For anemia, weak immunity, and general malaise, add 1 tablespoon of fireweed to 200 milliliters of hot water and steep for half an hour. Drink the mixture 2-3 times throughout the day. The course of treatment is 3-4 weeks.
3. For sore throat, fireweed is used as a gargle. Add 2 tablespoons of dried powder to a glass of hot water and let steep for 10-15 minutes. Then gargle 2-3 times a day for 5-7 days.
4. To improve sleep and normalize blood pressure and heart rate, prepare a decoction: add a tablespoon of fireweed to 200 milliliters of water. Heat the mixture over a fire until it boils and simmer for another 10 minutes. Cool and drink the resulting decoction at night or in the evening, divided into two doses, for two weeks.

Ivan tea can be prepared not only with water but also with alcohol. The alcohol tincture is especially useful for strengthening overall physical fitness and cleansing the body of toxins and toxic compounds. Vodka or rubbing alcohol can be used as an auxiliary component. For each glass of vodka, add two heaping tablespoons of fireweed and place the tincture in a cupboard with a closing door. After 10 days, strain the tincture to remove the herbs and take one tablespoon 1-2 times daily. For best results, drink the tincture continuously for four weeks.

Cooking secrets

A regular teapot is suitable for brewing the herb. Be sure to wash it and rinse it with boiling water beforehand. A tea mug is also convenient, as it allows for easy removal of the herb. There are a few other considerations when brewing Ivan tea:

• you need to use filtered or spring water;
• The herb should be brewed in portions: first, fill the teapot with water no more than 1/3 of its volume, after 2-3 minutes add water to half the volume, and only after the fifth minute add boiling water completely;
• Don't add sugar, honey, syrups, or milk to your tea. These products will only ruin the taste of the tea and reduce its beneficial properties.

Once prepared, the decoction or infusion should be consumed immediately on the same day, as some of the medicinal properties are lost overnight. Furthermore, the flavor and aroma evaporate. Herbs that have already been used for brewing are not suitable for further preparation and can be discarded.

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How to store

Optimal storage conditions for the dried product include an airtight container, away from sunlight and moisture, and a temperature between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius. The dried herb is transferred to a tin jar with a lid or a glass container. The jar or container can be labeled to prevent confusion with other herbs or tea leaves. Craft bags with a resealable top are also suitable for storage; you can also transfer the fireweed to a canvas bag and tie the ends tightly.

Place the jar of tea in a dark, dark drawer away from light, with humidity levels no higher than 50%. You can store the tea in a pantry or cellar, as long as it's not damp or cold. Ivan tea typically stores well and retains its medicinal properties for up to three years.

As a powerful natural remedy, fireweed remains popular today. Its effects are truly noticeable if all the steps of collection, preparation, and brewing are followed correctly. It's essential to experience the herb's miraculous properties for yourself, to restore lost strength, and improve your health.