Effects: Fireweed is used for pain and swelling (inflammation), fevers, tumors, wounds, andenlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, BPH). It is also used as an astringent and as a tonic.
Use: Use this regularly for issues with prostate. As a tea it can be used against infections of the bladder, kidney diseases and prostate complaints.
Background information: This plant has become quite widespread across Ireland, possibly because it seems to thrive on disturbed land. This plant is native to part of the country and has been introduced to other areas. It belongs to the family Onagraceae. From herbalists fireweed was ignored for a long time. It became popular in Germany again in the late seventieth, after the herbalist Maria Treben announced the positive effects of fireweed on the prostate.
[wpspoiler name=”Where to find it”]Ireland: Roadsides, Bogs, wet places, woodlands, railway embankments. L us na Tine – colonises ground where there's been fire and is often seen growing on the hills after the gorse or heather have been burnt off.
Greece: Clearings, wet meadows, In forest edges in the mountainous area up to 2200m altitude. Can be found in northern Greece and in mountainous areas in central Greece.
Germany: Fireweed can be found in the northern hemisphere. It grows on river banks, rocks and clearcutting areas. It spreads very fast on the empty areas after forest fires. From this characteristic the plant also got its English name fireweed.
Poland: In Poland, is a plant common to both the lowlands and in the mountains.
Italy:…..[/wpspoiler]
[wpspoiler name=” Cultural aspects(stories/songs)”]Ireland: Julie Bruton-Seal and Matthew Seal say that this plant is great for connecting us to the healing powers of the earth and nature, for change and shifting stagnantion. It is also for shock and trauma; the way it moves in to repair the soil and ecosystem after forest fires or clear felling really speaks of this ability; it helps us repair on all levels when we feel like we have been deep ploughed, clear felled and need to repair our soil and forest from deep trauma. It sprang up on bomb sites in the Second World War too truly healing for trauma and deep wounds. The plant is astringent and mildly bitter.
Greece: Its Greek name refers to the simultaneous presence of flower and ovary.
Germany: The fireweed was believed to have the fabulous ability of keeping lightning away. After childbirth it was put among other herbs into the mattress of the mother in order to keep her and the child healthy.
Poland: N/A
Italy: …..[/wpspoiler]
[wpspoiler name=”Contemporary use(cuisine/ cosmetics/medicine)”]Ireland: Young leaves for stomach upsets with diarrhoea
Tension headaches
Mouth ulcers
Leaf infusion for heavy periods
Candida
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Prostate problems
Greece: N/A
Germany: For cooking the sprouts of fireweed can be prepared like asparagus. Furthermore it can be used against cystitis and prostate complaints. Nowadays fireweed can be used as a salad or vegetable, teas are made from the plant as well.
Poland: Decoction of fireweed for prostate used:
30 g of small fireweed
30 g marshmallow flowers
30 g of wild thyme flowers
30 g of nettle leaves
30 g of dandelion roots
1 liter of water
Combine all the fresh herbs and put them in the water. Heat for 5 minutes. Then infuse for 30 minutes, then drain. Herbal drink the fluid during the day. In the case of serious infection, extend herbal treatment 1 to 2 months.
This decoction great cleanses the kidneys and treats chronic infections of the prostate and bladder.
Italy: ……[/wpspoiler]
[wpspoiler name=”Traditional use (remedies, uses)”]Ireland: Recipes and Formulae: The young shoots can be steamed or stir fried like asparagus; the rhizomes can also be eaten as a vegetable. The young can be used as tea or eaten in slads. The stem pith is also used as a vegetable.
Greece: It has been used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, and other bowel troubles. The tea has been used for treatment of disorders of the prostate.
Germany: From the seats of fireweed candlewicks were weaved.
Poland: The young shoots of herbs can be eaten as an addition to soups or steamed. If diarrhea is prepared decoction of herbs. In order not to lose any valuable properties ; it use an alcohol-based tincture 1 part herb to 2 parts alcohol. Tincture taken at 10 drops twice a day. It is very useful in the treatment of diarrhea and gastritis.
Italy: …….[/wpspoiler]
