Green Tea and Fireweed
I used loose leaf Chado green tea and my own dried fireweed blossoms for this tea. It has a hint of floral scent and a light, earthy taste.
If you are wondering why I mix the loose tea and herbs in a cup, it is for two reasons: a cup with a white interior is easier to photograph the colour of the steeped tea, and I’ve been drinking loose tea for so many years that I am quite used to drinking it directly from the cup. I don’t mind the bits floating or the occasional piece in my mouth – it adds texture. (I’m also quite used to drinking Turkish coffee - with the grounds on the bottom!)
I know that this last paragraph will cause a loss of consternation with many tea drinkers, but to each their own. Of course, if I was serving tea to someone else, I would make a proper pot of tea and strain the herbs. I’m not a barbarian! 🤪
Health benefits of fireweed (Chamaenerion angustifolium)
The young flowers of fireweed are edible, but it is usually the leaves that are used for tea.[1]
Chamerion angustifolium (inflorescense) fermented tea
Fireweed is used by the Indigenous peoples of North America (particularly in the Yukon), and in Siberia as a medicinal herb.
“Fireweed leaf tea works on our small intestine and colon in a similar way to create a healthy environment where beneficial digestive bacteria can flourish…Think of fireweed as a soothing friend to the constant work of digestion.” ~ Elise Krohn[2]
According to research published in 2016, it has been identified that “the therapeutic effects of fireweed polyphenols are mediated by multiple mechanisms, including direct killing of cancer cells and microbes, antioxidant activity, metal chelation, and both pro- and anti-inflammatory immunomodulation.” [3]
I personally don’t necessarily choose the flower tea for its health benefits, but because of the lovely blossoms and light floral flavour.
Fireweed growing in Whitehorse, Yukon (2021)
The flowers provide a beautiful contrast to the summer foliage near Paddy’s Pond.
I hope you enjoy a cuppa!
[1] Angier, B (1974). Field Guide to Edible Wild Plants. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books. p. 80. ISBN 0-8117-0616-8. OCLC 799792.
[2] Wild Foods and Medicines – blog by Elise Khron https://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/fireweed/
[3] It is also sometimes known as Epilobium angustifolium. Schepetkin, IA, Ramstead, AG, Kirpotina, LN, Voyich, JM, Jutila, MA, Quinn, MT (2016) Therapeutic Potential of Polyphenols from Epilobium angustifolium (Fireweed). PubMed Central – online https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5045895/
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