IVAN-TEA Narrow-leaved (Kaporsky tea)
Tall (up to 120 cm) perennial herbaceous plant with an upright densely leafy stem. The leaves are alternate, entire, lanceolate, pointed upwards, with glandular teeth along the edge, dark green above, bluish-green below with sharply protruding veins. The flowers are quite large, purple-pink, with a long nail on the pedicels, collected in a loose brush. The fruit is an elongated, slightly bent naked box. Seeds with tufts. Blooms from June to September. Sometimes with yellow flowers.
It grows on the edges of forests, along embankments, clearings, burnt areas, often forms continuous thickets. Occurs frequently. (See also narrow-leaved fireweed, Ivan-tea).
The grass contains tannins, mucus, sugar, vitamin C. Flowering branches of the plant are used in folk medicine. Flowering grass, steamed in ovens, is applied in the form of poultices to a sore spot. Used for inflammation of the ear, throat, nose.
An infusion or decoction of the leaves is a good anti-inflammatory and analgesic for any inflammation of the mucous membranes, and is also useful for headaches.
Application
Decoction: 15 g per 200 ml; for outdoor and indoor use. For internal – 1 tbsp. spoon 3 times every day before meals.