Fireweed (Ivan-Tea, Chamaenerion angustifolium, Great willowherb, Rosebay willowherb) is a miraculous herb that, before the appearance of Indian and Chinese teas, saved many northern Europeans and American colonists from serious ailments. In this article, we will tell you the most interesting facts about fireweed collected in Russian Siberia:

The first researcher of Siberian Ivan-Tea lived a long and happy life.

Petr Aleksandrovich Badmaev, a Russian doctor who studied Fireweed, lived one hundred and ten years, and ten years before his death he once again learned the joy of fatherhood. The biographers of the Russian scientist agree that Badmaev owes such a long life path to the constant drink of fireweed tea.

Ivan tea is a devoted symbol of Ancient Rus`.

In Kievan Rus, fireweed was used for a variety of purposes. The fluff from its seed boxes was used as weaving material, the roots were eaten or dried, then ground into flour, and fresh shoots and leaves were sometimes placed in different salads.

The spirit of Soviets soldiers.

During the 2nd World War, all the great Russian minds were busy solving a simple question: what should the soldiers drink to maintain high morale, good health and save public funds? The answer was found - Siberian Fireweed gave the Soviet soldiers the necessary boost of vigor and warmed their ice trenches.

As the legend goes, at the end of 1941, instead of moving towards blockaded Leningrad, Adolf Hitler gave the personal order to send tanks to the village of Koporye to destroy an experimental laboratory that produced drinks from medicinal herbs according to old Russian recipes based on fireweed. Interesting fact, isn't it?

Fireweed is as popular among the inhabitants of Siberia today, as it was 100 years ago.

Today the drink made from Siberian fireweed is also very popular, and for good reason. It can be brewed, and then, if desired, left in the refrigerator - for a couple of days, it will stand there quietly, without any damage to itself. Moreover, you can brew fireweed tea several times, since it does not lose its taste and useful qualities during the first brewing.

Siberian fireweed invigorates and soothes at the same time.

From weakly brewed fireweed, you will feel a surge of strength and energy, and a highly concentrated tea promotes early relaxation and sound sleep.

Flowers of an unusual shape.

The flowers of fireweed are oblong boxes about 6 cm long. Each box contains about 20 thousand seeds. Siberian fireweed seeds have an unusual feature - they are covered with down. Due to this and even their lightness, they move long distances. Thanks to this, sowing fireweed on your own is quite problematic.

The original color of fireweed is pink, not purple at all.

The leaves of fireweed are always fermented before use, as a result of which they change color and acquire a richer taste. In addition, fermented fireweed tea contains several times more vitamins and other useful substances than fresh tea.

Amazing survivability!

Siberian fireweed is a very weather-resistant plant. Reaching a height of one and a half to two meters, it is not afraid of even a strong wind, since its stem is strong, and the roots go into the ground by 70-100 centimeters. Fireweed seeds are also very tenacious - they can come to life, even if they lie for several years somewhere on the ground. When conditions around them become more favorable, they will sprout.

Don't like fruits and vegetables, but want to get enough vitamins? Drink Siberian Fireweed!

Fireweed is a good alternative to fruits and vegetables in terms of the content of vitamins and microelements. It contains 6 times more ascorbic acid than lemon and more antioxidants than red wine or green tea.