Fireweed small-flowered

Parts Used: Above-ground part of the plant.

Pharmacy name: fireweed grass – Epilobii herba (formerly: Herba Epilobii).

Botanical description. Perennial plant, 15-60 cm tall, with a rhizome. The erect round stem is covered with protruding hairs. The leaves are elongated or ovate-lanceolate, in the basal rosette – with petioles, stem – sessile (do not cover the stem and do not descend along it), slightly serrated along the edge, softly hairy or felt. Small light purple flowers with 4 heart-shaped petals and a 4-parted stigma are collected in an apical brush. In a long pod-shaped box, which opens with 4 valves when ripe, there are numerous seeds with a small hairy tuft. Blooms from July to September. It grows most often in clumps along the banks and ditches, in damp forests and clearings, sometimes in wastelands and in gardens near hedges.

Collection and preparation. Flowering plants are harvested, cut close to the ground and dried in bunches in the sun or in a ventilated place.

Active ingredients: betasitosterol, flavonoids, tannins.

Healing action and application. Since 1970, fireweed has been recommended for diseases of the prostate gland. You can often even hear that it cures prostate cancer. Such a statement is devoid of any grounds, even with benign diseases of the prostate, this medicinal plant, at best, only helps a little. Its operation is currently being re-examined. In any case, the use of this remedy, if the doctor permits, is welcome.

  • Fireweed tea: 2 teaspoons topped with herbs, pour 1/4 liter of boiling water and let it brew for 15 minutes. Dosage: 2 cups of tea every day.

Application in folk medicine. As a home remedy, this plant is not used, although in some areas fireweed is used as a substitute for black tea.

Side effects. With long-term use of fireweed tea, gastrointestinal disorders may occur.