Ivan tea spread throughout Eastern Europe in the 19th century from the shores of the Gulf of Finland and gained popularity due to its medicinal properties. You need to be careful with Ivan tea.
Fireweed, or Kopor tea (named after the Koporye Bay of the Gulf of Finland), is a common name for a drink made from fermented fireweed leaves. During fermentation, juice is released, and its enzymes trigger certain biochemical processes, resulting in the leaves changing their color to a darker shade and acquiring a pleasant taste and aroma.
In the 19th century, Kopor tea was widely used as a substitute for black Chinese tea, which it resembled in both color and taste.
From a phytochemical point of view, fireweed is primarily distinguished by the presence of tannins, specifically ellagitannins. In this regard, it is similar to pomegranate. The most important property of ellagitannins is that they slow down the action of enzymes in our body that destroy cartilage in joints and lead to arthrosis.
During the fermentation process, the amount of ellagitannins significantly decreases. At the same time, the leaves are saturated with free phenolic acids, which increase the antioxidant properties of the drink. Fireweed is also distinguished by the fact that it does not contain caffeine.
In addition to antioxidants and tannins, Kopor tea contains many vitamins (only vitamin C is 5-6 times more than in lemon) and biologically active substances. A drink made from fireweed helps to reduce inflammation, improve blood circulation, regulate hormonal balance, cleanse the body of toxins, strengthen bones and teeth, and increase tone and mood.
Fireweed is advised to be consumed for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidneys, blood vessels, nervous system, skin and hair, reduced immunity, and inflammation of the ears, throat, and nose.
There is an opinion that fireweed, like borage, coltsfoot, or comfrey, contains a small amount of pyrrolizidine alkaloids, which can be harmful to the body. And recently, a publication by Chinese researchers appeared stating that angustifoline A alkaloid was found in fireweed.
As claims chemist Sergei Besarab, there are no new studies that would confirm the long-standing thesis that fireweed contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids. And the discovery of Chinese scientists should not be given much attention. Angustifoline A was found only in one sample of fireweed from China and in a very small amount. Moreover, it belongs to a different chemical cycle, which is not as harmful as pyrrolizidine alkaloids.
But it must be remembered that fireweed, like any other medicinal plant, has its own contraindications and side effects. This drink is recommended to be consumed with caution by people with blood clotting disorders. The drink may have a mild laxative effect, and after prolonged use, it can lead to gastrointestinal upset.
It is also not recommended to drink fireweed simultaneously with sedatives, relaxing agents, as well as with substances that lower blood pressure or high temperature. After all, in this case, the effect of the combination will be excessively strong.
You should also refrain from using this drink for people with low blood pressure, pregnant and lactating women.
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