Home / Herbalist / Epilobium angustifolium

Epilobium angustifolium

Useful properties and applications of epilobium angustifolium


Botanical characteristics of epilobium angustifolium

Fireweed uzkolisty is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the family ciprani. Straight, not branched, succulent stem reaches a height of from 75 to 200 cm Creeping rhizome well developed, has numerous branches and can reach a length of 100 cm Leaves are alternate, sessile (very short petiole), oblong, with pointed tip.

Flowers widely open, painted in purple or bright pink tinge, collected in the conical brush in the upper parts of the plant. The fruit is an elongated capsule with numerous small seeds inside. A characteristic feature of seeds of fireweed is the presence of a Pappus (consists of down feathers), by which seeds can spread at a considerable distance from this medicinal plant.

Blooming fireweed uzkolisty in the summer – from mid-June to mid-August, fruits in late July – August.

Natural area of distribution of fireweed uzkolisty – virtually the entire territory of Russia. Abundantly this medicinal plant grows along roads and in forest clearings, burned areas and embankments.


Useful properties of fireweed

In folk medicine used as the above-ground part of the fireweed leaves and flowers, and the underground rhizome. The collection of leaves and flowers takes place in the period of flowering medicinal plants and flowers must be fully open, because there is a high probability that in the drying process they turn into seeds. Leaves before drying are separated from the shoots and laid out under a canopy in a thin layer.

The roots are harvested after flowering (in autumn). After digging out the rhizome is cleaned from the soil and wash well under cold water, and then dried in an oven at a temperature of 70 °C.

In the chemical composition of the leaves of fireweed contains a number of useful organic compounds: flavonoids, tannins (up to 20 %), mucous substance (15 %), tannin pyrogallol group (10 %), alkaloids (0.1 %), coumarins, sugar, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), iron, manganese, provitamin a (retinol acetate).

In chemical composition of roots detected carotenoids, flavonoids, tannins, starch, gums.

In the chemical composition of the flowers contain flavonoids, tannins, mucous substances, ascorbic acid, coumarins, sugars and essential oils.

Healing infusions and decoctions from willow is used in folk medicine as an effective enveloping, anti-inflammatory, healing, soothing,haemostatic and laxative.


The use of fireweed

Decoction and infusion of fireweed used in a number of diseases of various organs and organ systems. In its chemical composition the leaves of the willow contain a considerable amount of mucilage and tannin, which is why the infusion is successfully used in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by increased acidity (gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, gastritis). Moreover, the infusion helps to cope with the negative consequences of intestinal dysbiosis and normalize flora.

The presence in the chemical composition of this medicinal plant ascorbic acid, iron, and manganese characterizes a healing potion as an effective tool in combating iron deficiency anemia (reduced hemoglobin in the blood). In addition, an infusion can be used for women with heavy menstruation and in the postpartum period.

Infusion and decoction of fireweed stimulate cardiac function and exert a mild effect on the nervous system. They are used in insomnia, nervous excitement, irritability and headaches.

As external funds infusion from the leaves is successfully used in diseases of the oral cavity, such as stomatitis, sore throat, tonsillitis. The dry powder from the leaves of the medicinal plants used as auxiliary agent in the treatment of infected wounds and ulcers. As a poultice it is used for otitis media (including acute) and injuries to the soft tissue.


Infusion of fireweed herb

Recipe No. 1: 15 grams of ground crude drugs (aerial parts medicinal plants) pour 200 ml of boiling water and infused for 60 minutes, then filtered into a clean bowl and take 1 tablespoon (15 ml) 3 times a day.

Recipe No. 2: 1 tablespoon of medicinal raw materials (roots and rhizomes) pour 200 ml of boiling water and infused for 45 minutes, then filtered into a clean bowl. Infusion take 3 times a day 15 ml with headaches and insomnia.

Recipe No. 3: 1 tablespoon of medicinal raw material (leaves) pour 200 ml of boiling water and insist for two hours, then filtered into a clean bowl. Take the medicine 1 tablespoon (15 ml) 3 times a day with anemia and 1/3 Cup three times a day for chronic cystitis.

Recipe No. 4: 2 tablespoons of medicinal raw pour 400 ml boiling water and infused for 6 hours, then filtered into a clean bowl.This infusion is used as an external remedy for otitis media, for this well swab dipped in tincture and insert into the ear hole.


A decoction of fireweed herb

10g of dry medicinal raw material (flowers) pour 200 ml of water and put in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Take broth 1 tablespoon (15 ml) 3 times a day.


Tea made from fireweed

A few hundred years ago, tea in Russia was extremely rare and very expensive drink, which could afford only nobles and the rich. That is why the common people were looking for a decent replacement for him from what grows on Russian soil. In the long search have become very popular tea from fireweed, which later received the name "Russian tea".

For the first time to harvest the aboveground part of medicinal plants in the village of Koporye, which is why the tea is called Koporye. The drink gained great popularity among the common people of Russia, because for the cost it was much cheaper English and Chinese tea, and tastes not at all not inferior to them.

Technology of preparation of tea koporsky includes several successive steps:

  • collection;
  • the wilting;
  • grinding (either lightly crush or "obsfucate" in the bag);
  • fermentation;
  • drying.

There is a second, more simple and fast method of brewing Koporye tea, it is to just pour the dried leaves and flowers of fireweed with boiling water and allow the whole to steep for 10-15 minutes, however, most of the useful properties of medicinal plants will be lost.

Collecting aerial parts of epilobium occurs during the period of active flowering plants. The leaves and flowers are harvested and laid out separately from each other. Pluck only the top and middle leaves (without lower leaves), while the plant material is immediately separated from the stem (not pulling it).

The next stage is wilting. For this, the leaves are laid in a thin layer under the awning and leave it for a couple of hours to dry slightly, and then medicinal raw materials manually twisted to release the juice.

Then comes the fermentation. This medicinal material is formed on a baking sheet in the pan, in a jar and left for several days at a temperature of 25 °C. Capacity should be covered with a damp cloth and carefully to ensure that it is dry, it will either have to regularly moisten it , or time to replace a dry cloth on the wet.

The final step in the preparation of tea koporsky is drying. Usually the leaves are dried in the oven at 70°C for 40 minutes.

Ineventually the leaves must be completely dry and acquire the dark (almost black) shade.

Store the dried leaves of fireweed necessary in a glass jar with the lid tightly closed. To make tea from fireweed, pour 2 teaspoons of the obtained welding with boiling water and let them steep for 15 minutes.

Flowers do not require such a long and time-consuming procedure of drying. To dry the flowers, they simply spread in a thin layer and dried in a dark place.

The leaves of fireweed

The main medicinal raw material of epilobium angustifolium are the leaves, which have a number of unique medicinal properties. Medicinal infusions fireweed leaves have pronounced anti-inflammatory, soothing and enveloping effect. Moreover, the biochemical composition of medicinal vegetative raw materials allows to consider a healing potion as an additional tool in the treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia, reduced immunity and dysbacteriosis. The extract from the leaves of medicinal plants are also successfully used in modern cosmetology as a natural pull-up component.


The seeds of fireweed

Epilobium angustifolium seeds very small and numerous. One plant during the growing season capable of producing about 20 000 seeds. The distinguishing characteristics of seeds of fireweed from other medicinal plants is the presence of the white Pappus (fluff), which contributes to instantaneous seeds flying at a considerable distance from the plant.

While the seeds retain the ability to germination and growth for many years. In its chemical composition the seeds of fireweed can contain up to 45 % fatty oil.

From a medical point of view, the seeds of fireweed have no value, therefore, for therapeutic purposes is not applicable.


Fireweed mountain

Mountain fireweed is a perennial herbaceous plant one of willowherb family. Its stem solitary, erect, pubescent in the upper part usually branched, height of 25-60 cm Leaves are short (sessile), ovate, unequally edge. The flowers reach about 5-10 mm in diameter and are painted in pink, purple or white (rare) colour. The flowers are collected at the end of the brush.

The fruit is a pubescent capsule with a length of 5–7cm. mountain fireweed Blooms in June-July, fruiting in July-August.

Natural area of distribution of fireweed mountain – almost all territory of Russia, Europe, Siberia and the Caucasus.This species grows in shaded damp places in coniferous and mixed forests, among shrubs.

In its chemical composition of the aboveground and underground parts of medicinal plants contain tannins, which allows the use of healing infusion of fireweed mountain as an effective hemostatic agent.


Infusion of fireweed mountain

2 tablespoons chopped medicinal raw pour 200 ml boiling water and insist for two hours, then the resulting infusion is filtered and used for bleeding 1/3–1/2 Cup 3 times a day.


Willow marsh

Swamp fireweed is a perennial herbaceous plant one of willowherb family. Single erect stem of cylindrical shape in the upper part covered with hairs. A length of a stalk of fireweed swamp may reach up to 80 cm Leaves are short (sessile), opposite, entire, their length is 2-9, see Small flowers are located at the ends of the stem and form a small brush. Petals painted in pink or in white colour.

The fruit is a short-haired capsule 4-8 cm in length. Seeds are small, spindle-shaped.

Swamp fireweed blooms from July to September, fruiting from July.

Natural distribution: Europe, Caucasus, Scandinavia, Eastern and Western Siberia, the far East, Central Asia, Mongolia, China, and North America. Swamp fireweed grows in wet, swampy places, along banks of reservoirs, peat and sand quarries.

Medicinal raw material is the aboveground part of the plant that contains in its chemical composition tannins, ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and flavonoids.

Water infusion of fireweed marsh used in folk medicine as an effective remedy for bleeding of various etiologies, diarrhea, nervous excitement and insomnia. Externally the infusion of the medicinal plants used in various skin diseases (e.g., such as scrofula).


Tincture of willow swamp

20 g of dry medicinal substances pour 200 ml of 40% ethyl alcohol, then leave in a cool and dark place for 10 days, then filter and take 1 teaspoon 3 times a day. Alcoholate used in various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.


Infusion of fireweed marsh

1 tablespoon medicinal substances pour 200 ml boiling water and infused for two or three hours, then filtered into a clean bowl and take 1/3 Cup 3 times a day. Water infusion is used when bleeding, nervous disorders and insomnia.


Fireweed hairy

Hairy willowherb is a perennialthe plant is one of willowherb family. Branched, erect, cylindrical, strong stem along the entire length covered with long soft hairs, at length may reach 150 cm Leaves are short, margin serrulate. In the lower part of the plant the leaves are opposite, upper ones alternate. Flowers solitary, petals painted in dark pink color.

The fruit is a pubescent capsule, the length of which is 4-10 cm Seeds are small, ovoid and numerous. Flowering plant in summer, from June to August inclusive.

The natural habitat of European part of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Western Europe, Central Asia, Western Siberia, Asia Minor, North Africa, India, China, Mongolia. This species grows in damp places, water meadows, marshland, along the banks of ponds and reed beds.


Fireweed small-flowered

The small-flowered fireweed is a perennial herbaceous plant one of willowherb family. Stem solitary, erect, simple or branched, the entire length is covered with fine soft hairs, its length, typically 100 cm Leaves oblong-ovate, narrowed upwards, short (sessile). Upper leaves are alternate, the lower opposite. The flowers are small (5-10 mm long), the petals are painted in a light shade of pink.

The fruit is a pubescent capsule up to 8 mm in length. Seeds are small, numerous, dark brown color.

Fireweed small-flowered blooms from June to September.

The natural habitat of European part of Russia, Europe, India, the Himalayas, Iran and the Caucasus. This species grows along the banks of various water bodies (rivers, lakes, reservoirs), swampy areas, ditches.

Medicinal raw material is the aboveground part of the plant (grass), collected during budding (beginning of flowering).

In its chemical composition grass fireweed dribnokvitkovi contains alkaloids (1 %), tannin, mucilage, pectin, sugar, ascorbic acid (vitamin C).

Decoction, infusion and tincture medicinal plants used in folk medicine as an effective tool in the treatment of genitourinary diseases namely, prostatitis, cystitis and kidney diseases. In addition, the use of healing tincture helps in the treatment of various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract with headaches, insomnia and angina.


Infusion of fireweed small-flowered

1tablespoon dry medicinal raw pour 250 ml boiling water and infused for 15 minutes, then filtered andtake 1 tablespoon (15 ml) 3 times a day.


Tea made from fireweed small-flowered

1chajnuu a spoonful of medicinal raw pour 250 ml of boiling water, infused for 10-15 minutes and filtered into a clean container. Take the infusion in chronic prostatitis, adenoma and cystitis 200 ml, 2 times daily on an empty stomach.


Vetoablechange the fireweed small-flowered

The leaves of fireweed small-flowered zaparivajut in boiling water and after cooling applied to the places of localization of the inflammatory processes on the skin and acne.


Extract of fireweed

In the chemical composition of the extract of the willow contains tannins, triterpene acids, flavonoids and phytosterols.

Alcohol and water extract of fireweed have pronounced anti-inflammatory action and are used in folk medicine in chronic diseases of the urogenital system such as acute and chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma, chronic inflammation of the ureters and bladder inflammation (cystitis).


The root of fireweed

The root system of fireweed, a powerful, creeping, can reach a length of one meter. Throughout the length of the horizontal roots are covered with buds, from which grow long-legged stalk.

The roots of the willow are used both in folk medicine and in cooking. Harvested plant material in the fall, after digging, the roots are washed in cold water, and then dried, first outdoors and then in the oven.

In the chemical composition of the roots of the willow contain from 10 to 20 % tannins, carotene, sugar, mucilage, pectin, alkaloids and ascorbic acid (vitamin C).


Contraindications to the use of fireweed

As a rule, medicinal infusions and decoctions of fireweed are well tolerated (except individual intolerance), therefore, contra-indications and restrictions in its application no.