7 useful properties of ivan tea for humans and methods of application

Ivan tea or cypress is widely used for food and pharmaceutical purposes. In Russia, he appeared at the turn of the IVII century and quickly gained recognition.

The drink based on cypress has an exquisite taste and aroma, and also has a complex effect on health.

Ivan tea has a number of proven medicinal properties, and its regular intake helps prevent the development of many diseases, including deadly ones (cancer, stroke, heart attack). 

In folk medicine, ivan tea has found use in infectious, inflammatory and metabolic diseases (gout, obesity, diabetes mellitus) diseases, as well as to combat anxiety and stress.

Top 7 useful properties

Let's take a closer look at the main facts about the health benefits of ivan tea (based on the evidence base).

1. Has a rich composition

Cypress grass saturated biologically active substances, in particular:

• Polyphenols (phenolic and lipophilic acids, flavonoids, tannins);
• Ascorbic acid;
• Polysaccharides;
• Minerals (iron, manganese, boron).

These substances have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, reduce the risk of developing malignant tumors and a number of chronic diseases, Strengthen the immune system .

2. It has an antioxidant effect

Ivan tea contains a lot of substances with antioxidant properties. Phenolic acids and flavonoids dominate among them.

Antioxidants inhibit the activity of free radicals, which (during oxidative stress) they cause damage to cells, followed by their death or malignant degeneration.

Cypress not only prevents the appearance of tumors, but also slows down the growth and division of cancer cells, reduces the likelihood of metastasis.

Also, ivan tea is rich in lipophilic acids, which have antiproliferative properties, which is also important for cancer prevention.

Additionally, antioxidants prevent the early development of chronic diseases from the cardiovascular (hypertension, coronary heart disease), endocrine (type II diabetes mellitus) or immune (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) systems.

3. Facilitates the course of infectious diseases

In folk medicine, cypress has been used for many years to treat sore throats, otitis media and bronchitis, as well as to relieve pain in muscles and joints.

Medicinal herb has a powerful anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, analgesic and wound healing effect.

Plant Stimulates the immune system , preventing the introduction of foreign agents and the occurrence of failures.

Cypress can be used for any inflammatory processes in the body (mainly from the upper respiratory tract). The plant effectively reduces the temperature, helps to eliminate pain and inflammatory changes.

In case of skin wounds (abrasions, scratches), cypress enhances the activity of cells of the immune system and accelerates tissue repair.

4. Normalizes the functioning of the central nervous system

Medicinal herb has since ancient times served as the main ingredient for teas and tinctures for strengthening the nervous system .

Proven that the roots, flowers and grass of ivan tea have a positive effect on the functioning of the brain.

The plant allows to ease the course of neuroses and depression , boost mood and improve emotional background overall.

Grass is effective Struggling with depression and eliminates problems with potency in men associated with psychological discomfort.

Having a sedative and general tonic effect, cypress neutralizes the effects of caffeine contained in strong black or green tea, coffee.

5. Reduces the level of cholesterol in the blood

Willow-tea herb contains flavonoids.

Proven that flavonoids reduce cholesterol levels in the blood, including atherogenic fractions (low and very low density lipoproteins, triglycerides), and also increase the concentration of "useful" cholesterol – high density lipoproteins.

The points of application are the liver (slows down synthesis) and the intestine (partially blocks reverse reabsorption).

Against the background of adequate indicators of lipid metabolism, the probability of deposition of cholesterol crystals in the walls of arteries and the development of diseases caused by atherosclerosis decreases: coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, chronic cerebral ischemia, stroke and many other disorders.

Cypress is recommended for the elderly. It is in them that cardiovascular disorders occur with the highest frequency.

6. Reduces the risk of developing type II diabetes mellitus

Type II diabetes mellitus is a formidable and widespread disease in the world. Its development is due to the emergence of insulin resistance – a decrease in the sensitivity of peripheral tissue receptors to insulin.

Studies carried out under the supervision of American specialists, demonstrate the ability of the willow herb to reduce insulin resistance and increase the activity of pancreatic beta cells to secrete insulin.

As a result, the cells of peripheral tissues (fat and muscle) begin to effectively absorb glucose, and its level in the blood decreases.

Cypress is recommended for all persons suffering from type II diabetes mellitus (in order to reduce the doses of medications taken), as well as those with an increased predisposition to it (if there is a disease in the next of kin).

7. Prevents the formation of blood clots

Sometimes there are situations (taking oral contraceptives, sedentary lifestyle; severe somatic diseases, including atherosclerosis) when blood clots begin to form in arterial and venous vessels.

Blood clots can completely or partially block the blood flow, which leads to extremely undesirable events (ischemic stroke, myocardial infarction, pulmonary embolism, etc.).

Swiss specialists discovered that the use of ivan tea alters the functional activity of platelets, significantly reducing the risk of blood clots.

Additionally, the herb has a diuretic effect and expands the lumen of the arteries , which indirectly reduces the likelihood of blood clots.

The plant is recommended for the elderly, as well as for people taking hormonal contraceptives, suffering from coronary insufficiency and oncological diseases.

Contraindications

Ivan tea is undoubtedly a useful plant. However, in isolated cases, it can cause significant harm to health. The main side effects are:

1. Diarrhea. The herb has a laxative effect and, when taken in excessive amounts, changes the consistency of the stool.
2. Dyspeptic disorders. Alcohol tinctures and strong tea based on boiling water can cause irritation of the mucous membranes of the digestive tract and exacerbation of chronic diseases (gastritis, peptic ulcer, gastroesophageal reflux disease).
3. Drowsiness. When taken in large doses, cypress causes drowsiness, reduces concentration, which makes it impossible to perform certain work functions, for example, driving motor vehicles.
4. Allergic reactions.  They occur with increased individual sensitivity of the human body to the plant, and occur, as a rule, in severe form – by the type of anaphylactic shock or angioedema. If you have an allergy to the plant in the past, ivan tea is categorically contraindicated.

It is better to refuse taking ivan tea for pregnant women, as well as children under 12 years of age.

When taking oral contraceptives or the course of severe somatic diseases, mandatory prior consultation with a doctor is required.

Cooking and Reception Tips

The main rules for using ivan tea to maximize its healing properties are described below.

1. How to brew it correctly . To make tea, you will need to take 1 tablespoon of dried whole willow herb and pour it 450-500 ml of hot water (about 85 degrees). Cover with a lid and let stand for 10-15 minutes. Strain, the drink is ready to drink. It is not recommended to use tea bags or finely ground leaves.
2. When and how much is better to take . It is better to drink kiprey in the daytime. Taking it in the morning (especially on an empty stomach) will adversely affect the health of the digestive system. The recommended daily allowance is up to 2-3 glasses (400-600 ml) per day.
3. What can be combined with . The herb of ivan tea is perfectly combined with many available ingredients. The addition of honey has a positive effect on the antiviral activity of the immune system, spices – will enhance antioxidant properties and hypocholesterolemic effect. When making tea, you can add mint or melissa herb, St. John's wort, thyme, chamomile, meadowsweet, sage, rosehip, linden flowers or ordinary green tea. It is not recommended to dilute the drink with milk, this will significantly reduce the antioxidant potential of the product.
4. How and in what form to store . It is recommended to wrap the boiled herb in baking paper and place it in an airtight metal container or a glass jar with a tight lid. Store in an acceptable dry, dark place for up to 1-2 years.
5. How to dry the boil yourself . Only the young leaves of the plant should be collected (from the tops of the shoots). Then they are washed, separated from the stems and dried for about 24 hours. Slightly dried grass should be spread out on paper in a thick layer and left for drying and fermentation for several days (2-3). Then you need to roll a layer of grass into sausages, cut and put under a press for 12 hours. After that, the grass is re-crushed and left in the oven for 12-18 hours (at a temperature of 65 degrees), then the temperature is lowered to 30 degrees and dried until the leaves darken.

Conclusion

1. Ivan tea is a valuable medicinal plant. It is saturated with antioxidant substances that have a beneficial effect on the immune system and metabolism.
2. Cypress reduces the risk of developing any cardiovascular diseases (including blood clots in blood vessels), improves the functioning of the central nervous system, prevents the development of type II diabetes mellitus, and also facilitates the course of infectious and inflammatory processes.
3. The plant has side effects and is contraindicated for women during pregnancy and children.