What is fireweed good for?
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Fevers.
- Tumors.
- Wounds.
- Other conditions.
What helps fireweed survive?
Fireweed is opportunistic and able to take advantage of changes in the environment. Under favourable seasonal conditions, the plant may behave as a short-lived perennial, with some plants surviving for 3 years. However, the majority of plants only live for one season. On the coastal strip of NSW fireweed is capable of
What are some adaptations for fireweed?
Fireweed is better adapted to subalpine habitats than are some introduced species used in roadside seedings. Some managers regard fireweed as the most prominent forb of disturbed montane areas . Biological Control: A wide range of aphids and other insects have been reported as parasites or associates on fireweed .
Is fireweed edible?
In spring, when fireweed first emerges from the ground, its shoots are edible and similar to wild asparagus. As they grow, fireweed stalks remain edible in the sense they aren’t harmful to humans but, for me, become unacceptably bitter. The larger the shoots and the more developed the leaves, the more bitter they taste.
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Is fireweed edible?
But it is not just another pretty flower, all parts of the fireweed are edible. The young leaves can be eaten raw in salads or sautéed in a stir fry or with other greens. The flowers and buds make a beautiful garnish and can be used to make fireweed jelly.
What do people use fireweed for?
The parts of the plant that grow above ground are used to make medicine. People use fireweed for migraine, the common cold, stomach ulcers, enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH), wound healing, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.
What part of fireweed is used for medicine?
They used fireweed root and leaf as an astringent and soothing tonic. Through evidence-based practice they found fireweed useful for chronic diarrhea, recovering from food poisoning, prostate inflammation, sore mouth and swollen gums. It was also used for hemorrhages from the lungs, nose, bladder or uterus.
Does fireweed taste good?
When the young plants first emerge in the summer, their new shoots are tender and full of vitamins A & C; they can be enjoyed as a tasty spring vegetable, which has been likened to asparagus in taste and texture.
Is Fireweed tea good for you?
It is considered safe through centuries of traditional use. Fireweed contains an easily digestible protein that fills the body with energy and vivacity, restores strength and increases vitality. It contains a large amount of vitamin C and due to a group of B vitamins, Fireweed tea supports mental peace and good sleep.
Is fireweed harmful to humans?
The fire weed in-flower is the most toxic. When ingested it can be toxic to the liver and neurological system eventually leading to death. People should also be aware that fireweed is also toxic to humans if ingested and be sure to wear gloves when removing this plant.
How do you make Fireweed tea?
Quick Steps to Making Fireweed TeaCollect Fireweed plants.Remove leaves and smash with your hands.Let ferment for 2 days in glass jar.Dry in oven for 20 minutes.Brew for a delicious and healthy beverage!
How do you cook fireweed?
Fireweed shoots can be chopped and used in salad even without blanching, but the shoots also take heat well. Try a quick, hot sauté in olive oil, sprinkle with sea salt, and drizzle on just a little balsamic vinegar.
What does fireweed taste like?
Fireweed is the bright purple flower that grows like a weed in the north. It tastes like blackberry or crowberry jam. It's great with bannock or toast. "There are a lot of flowers in the north that are edible, and I think that we need to start experimenting with them."
Is there another name for fireweed?
fireweed, (Epilobium angustifolium), also called great willow herb or wickup, perennial wildflower, in the evening primrose family (Onagraceae), abundant on newly clear and burned areas.
What animals eat fireweed?
Uses Wildlife Habitat: Fireweed is valued as food for wildlife. In some areas, shoots of fireweed are a preferred food of deer and cattle and are also eaten by moose, caribou, muskrat, and hares (Willms et al. 1980; Henderson et al. 1979).
Why is fireweed called fireweed?
The name fireweed stems from its ability to colonize areas burned by fire rapidly. It was one of the first plants to appear after the eruption of Mt. St.
Eating Fireweed
Fireweed shoots are a nutritious spring food containing Vitamin C, flavonoids and beta-carotene. They are delicious when eaten fresh or lightly cooked. I have sautéed them or steamed them like asparagus so they still have a little crunch to them. You can taste a little mucilage in them – a slippery substance that makes your mouth feel smooth.
Fireweed Medicine
When I think of fireweed I think of building strong digestive tone.
Overview
Fireweed is an herb. The parts of the plant that grow above ground are used to make medicine.
Special Precautions & Warnings
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Not enough is known about the use of fireweed during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
Dosing
The appropriate dose of fireweed depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for fireweed. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important.
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Botanical Name and Family of Fireweed
Fireweed is known botanically as Chamerion angustifolium. It belongs to the Onagraceae or Evening primrose family and has been referred to as Great Willowherb, Rosebay Willowherb and Blood Vine.
What Is Fireweed?
Fireweed is an herb native to the U.S., Canada and parts of Europe. The most distinctive characteristic of this plant is its beautiful pinkish-purple colored flowers, which have four petals that look similar to those of other evening primrose plant relatives.
Active Ingredients Found in Fireweed
Fireweed has been found to possess several chemical compounds rich in polyphenols including phenolic acids, tannins such as Oenothein A and B and flavonoids. One, in particular, Oenothein-B has even been patented by a Canadian company and is now being marketed as an anti-inflammatory and anti-irritant ingredient for skin care products.
Health Benefits of Fireweed
Traditionally, Fireweed has been used to reduce fever, pain and inflammation. It is also considered useful against wounds, tumors and prostate enlargement. Aside from the previously mentioned health benefits, fireweed also promises advantages for the following ailments:
Different Ways to Consume Fireweed
The parts of this plant that are used are its flowers, leaves, stalks, juice and roots. The fresh juice of fireweed was used by Native Americans and Europeans to soothe burns and skin irritations. The juice is also used in a variety of topical creams, salves, lotions and after-shave products now sold in Canadian skincare products.
Side Effects of Fireweed
Fireweed is considered safe for general use and there are no reported side effects, but more research needs to be conducted. Nevertheless, for the women who are currently pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid using this plant because not enough research has been done to determine its efficiency or side effects.
Distinguishing Features
Fireweed is a very attractive flowered plant that tends to love disturbed places. Fireweed commonly goes by the Latin name Chamerion angustifolium but it is also known as Epilobium angustifolium in some areas. There are two varieties in North America: var. angustifolium and var. canescens. Var.
Flowers
The inflorescence is a terminal raceme of many flowers. Individual petals are rose to purple in colour. The four petals may measure from 8-20 mm long. The four sepals are narrowly lanceolate and about 25 percent shorter than the petals.
Leaves
The leaves are alternate, narrowly lanceolate and they measure up to 15cm in length. There is a white central vein on most leaves as well.
Habitat
Although fireweed tends to grow in all types of soil it prefers well-drained soils. Fireweed can grow in semi-shaded forested areas and in sunny meadows. It likes rocky ground, waste areas, woodland edges and it can be grown in a garden. Fireweed also grows along highway and railroad embankments but it prefers disturbed areas.
Edible Parts
Young leaves and shoots can be consumed. They can be used in salads, as a vegetable, and young shoots can be used as an asparagus substitute. Older shoots become too tough to ingest. The root can be roasted after scraping off the outside, but often tastes bitter.
Economic importance of fireweed
Fireweed flowers are attractive to both bees and hummingbirds. Fireweed honey is a coveted product of the northern beekeeper. Recently in Canada extracts of the plant are being used for skincare and help with serious skin problems like rosella.
Fireweed benefits
Fireweed is loaded with tonic benefits for the entire body, especially for men. The antioxidants in fireweed benefit the digestive system, the urinary system, the circulatory system and the heart, the brain, the endocrine system, the immune system, the lungs, and the skin. It is both tonic and nutritive.
Constituents of fireweed
Fireweed leaves contain antioxidants like myricetin, quercetins, kaempferol, caffeic acid, cinnamic acid, catechins, chlorogenic acid, and palmitate acid, as well as tannins. The leaves are a good source of vitamins A, C, riboflavin, calcium, potassium, manganese, and iron. The leaves contain more vitamin C than citrus fruit and rose hips.
When to harvest fireweed
Harvest the early spring shoots when they are just 6 to 12 inches high as a potherb, in May. Treat it like young asparagus.
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Reproduction
Morphology
- Fireweed fruits are long and very narrow. They spit open to release hundreds of seeds, each with a white feathery tuft that easily flies in the wind. Fireweed usually grows in large patches. Each above-ground plant may be connected to others by roots. Purplish-red stems grow up to seven feet tall and are covered with willow-shaped leaves that are dark green above and silvery below. …
Habitat
- Where it grows: Fireweed is often the first plant to return to burned or logged areas. It prefers a wet start followed by good sun exposure. You will find patches along roadsides, forest edges, clear cuts, and in open fields throughout the Northwest.
Uses
- Harvesting and preparation: Fireweed offers something useful in every stage of its growth. Early shoots can be eaten raw or lightly cooked. Harvest when the leaves are still close to the stem and pointing upward. Snap off at the base. Young leaves can be pinched off and eaten like spinach. As plants age they becomes very fibrous and unpleasant to eat. Flower buds are edible and make a …
Diet
- In spring through fall roots can be dug and mashed into an anti-inflammatory and soothing poultice. Remember that if you miss fireweed at lower elevations you can often travel to the high country and find it at much earlier stages of growth. I have eaten fireweed shoots in mountain meadows in August! Fireweed shoots are a nutritious spring food containing Vitamin C, flavonoi…
Treatment
- Lets break down how fireweed works. It is a gentle, yet effective anti-inflammatory that helps conditions including diarrhea, stomach and intestinal inflammation. Tannins in fireweed act as an astringent (see Rose Flower post for more information on how astringents work). By improving the tone of the colon, it slows water from being reabsorbed and ...
Health
- Fireweed has been a great remedy for my clients in Olympia. Olympia is a college town where many students test vegetarian, vegan and/or gluten free diets. When meat and dairy are replaced with highly processed Tofudi products and daily quarts of soy milk, coupled with the fact that Olympia is a dank dark place where 8 houses out of 10 are infested with mold, it is the perfect re…
Prevention
- Try fireweed for digestive imbalances due to a change in diet, when recovering from food poisoning, irritable bowel syndrome, and chronic low-grade diarrhea. Fireweed is great at bringing things back to a state of balance but it is not an anti-bacterial or anti-protozoal. If you have giardia or some other type of infection, make sure to treat it, and then use fireweed to get your guts bac…
Quotes
- Fireweed is a good long-term remedy. Often, long-standing imbalances do not show up over night but develop over time, and our body takes time to recover. For me, fireweed represents the promise that beauty will return after bodily sickness or environmental destruction. When woodlands are damaged from fire, or clear-cutting, it is fireweed that brings the first promise of r…