Fireweed, Chamaenerion or Chamerion angustifolium; (Epilobium angustifolium

immediately, and the relief lasts for a few hours. Young patients can sip the tea, but no more than 3 cups should be taken daily. Harvesting: Dig up the roots in the autumn as the plant is dying back and after the seeds have been released. This is important because the plant is being over-harvested and is facing extinction. Only take what you need. Clean and dry the root for future use. Store it in a cool, dry place for up to three years. Grind the root when ready to use. Warning: Take only the recommended dosages; an excess can cause vomiting and nausea. Avoid taking it during pregnancy. False Unicorn Root is a cardiac toxin in large doses.

Recipes. False Uni-

corn Root Tea. 1 to 2 teaspoons of shredded root, 1 cup water. Put the root in the water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer gently for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink the tea three times daily.

Fireweed got its name because it is most often the first plant to return after a fire. Its underground runners are able to withstand the fire and quickly bounce back. Also known as Willow Herb. It is in the Onagraceae (Evening Primrose) Family. Identification: The plant is often found in full sun on disturbed land, after a forest fire, or on recently cleared land. Fireweed grows to 8 feet (2.4m) tall and produces gorgeous purple or pink flowers on spikes. Each flower has four petals like its evening primrose relatives. The long, alternate, lance-shaped leaves are green with a silvery underside and a central vein. The purple fruits are long and narrow, opening to release seeds attached to feathery white tufts that carry them on the wind. Fireweed also spreads underground, forming large patches that are connected by underground roots. Edible Use: Firewood shoots are edible and nutritious eaten raw or cooked. Harvest them in the spring while young and tender or peel the fibrous skin off older shoots. Young leaves can be eaten like spinach and the flowers and fruits can be eaten raw and used as a carbohydrate extender. Medicinal Use: Fireweed is anti-inflammatory and very astringent. It has antifungal properties and helps build a healthy gut.

Digestive Tract, Colitis, Irritable Bowel

Syndrome, Candida, Leaky Gut: Fireweed Leaf Tea helps build a healthy intestinal tract. It encourages healthy bacteria colonies while preventing and correcting the overgrowth of fungus and Candida. With a healthy intestinal tract comes better food absorption and better digestion. The herb has a mild laxative effect, keeping food moving easily through the system and improving muscle tone in the gut. Its antispasmodic properties treat intestinal spasms and

Fireweed, by kallerna [CC BY-SA 3.0]