Since ancient times, many plants that have healing properties were also endowed with miracle forces, legends and beliefs were created and passed on from generation to generation. One of such plants is ivan-tea (kiprei).
Ivan-tea is a perennial herb, growing to 2 meters in height, with lanceolate leaves and bright purple-purple inflorescences. Blooms from late June to September. Ivan-tea can be found on dry sandy places, along forest edges, on clearings, near rivers and stakes.
The plant is unique - with a lot of useful properties, it has almost no contraindications. More details about the benefits and harms of willow-tea, recommendations for its use in the treatment and prevention purposes will be discussed further.
Composition and useful properties of the willow-tea
As a medicinal raw material, all parts of willow-tea are used - stems, roots, leaves and flowers. Various forms of medicinal preparations are prepared on their basis: alcohol tinctures, water infusions, decoctions, ointments and powders.
The chemical composition of this plant is rich and diverse. It is established that ivan-tea is superior to citrus, black currant and rosehip in the content of ascorbic acid (vitamin C). Also, the vitamin range of plant composition is represented by vitamins of group B and PP. From microelements in ivan-tea are found out:
- iron;
- nickel;
- titanium;
- copper;
- manganese;
- molybdenum;
- potassium;
- calcium;
- sodium;
- lithium and others.
Also in ivan-tea contains the following medicinal substances:
- tannin;
- alkaloids;
- mucus;
- tannins;
- pectin, etc.
We list the main useful properties of the plant:
- Anti-inflammatory (the highest indicator of anti-inflammatory activity among other medicinal herbs);
- enveloping;
- antipyretic;
- antioxidant;
- restorative;
- hemostatic;
- tonic;
- analgesic.
Contraindications to the use of ivan-tea
Like all other medicinal plants, ivan-tea requires caution when it is applied. However, contra-indications and side-effects of medicinal ivan-tea, in contrast to other herbs, has a minimal amount. This is due to the fact that the tea is non-toxic and has a balanced chemical composition.
Contraindications of Ivan-tea include increased sensitivity and individual intolerance of the components of preparations prepared on its basis. In any case, it is recommended to start taking the willow-tea with minimal doses to check the reaction of the body. If there are no undesirable reactions, Ivan-tea is allowed to use as much as necessary, especially in the form of infusion and broth, which have a pleasant taste and aroma and can be substituted for regular tea.
But nevertheless it is impossible to drink Ivan-tea constantly and in large quantities, tk. this can adversely affect the state of the gastrointestinal tract. In particular, the long reception of a concentrated beverage from the willow-tea causes diarrhea .
With care, ivan-tea should be consumed by children, pregnant women and nursing mothers. In such cases, before starting
Ivan tea - raw material harvesting
The stems, leaves and flowers of the plant are harvested during flowering, i.e. They can be collected almost throughout the summer. Dry them in the shade under a canopy, provided good ventilation. The roots of willow-tea should be harvested in the fall. After digging, they are washed, dried, and then cut and dried in a dryer or oven at a temperature of about 20ºC. Store harvested raw materials in paper bags or in glass 2 - 3 years.