Forest resources: Making Iwan Chai

The other day I came across some beautiful rosebay Willowherb/fireweed , Chamaenerion Angustifolium, in German: Weidenröschen, and decided to make some Iwan-Chai from it.  

Legend has it that Tsar Iwan the terrible was really fond of black tea, but supplies being scarce, was looking for an alternative, and decided to use a known folk remedy.  Or rather, have such a resource used.  Hence the name.  

Fireweed does have several beneficial medicinal properties, being anti-inflammatory and antibiotic. It was traditionally used for intestinal problems and gum infections. In Experimental  clinical studies it has been proven to be beneficial against beningn prostata enlargement and several other maladies (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5045895/). 

Iwan-Chai is reputed to strengthen the immune system. 

Side effect is a higher risk of blood clotting. If you have a predisposition for thrombocytosis you might want to obstain from using it excessively or in high concentration. Please consult your doctor beforehand if you have. 

I harvested the young shoots. They were left to wilt a bit overnight.  

Then I thoroughly kneaded them: 

After that, they were left to ferment two days and first dried for several hours at 50°C, then lightly roasted at 80°C for another hour.  

I put the dried tea into a clean jar.  

The Iwan-Chai has a lovely black-teaish aroma, really mild, with flowery notes and a hint of caramel.  I can enjoy it pure.  But it is also great with a bit of cream and honey. 

A really great alternative to black tea, and healthy as they come. 

Have a cuppa, and take good care! 

 

Crafted a possibles pouch from woolen rags

On a recent bimble I came across some woolen rags hanging in the creek. Now the water had felted the wool already to a good degree, and after rinsing them a bit, I decided I wanted to make something from it. Taking care not to put them anywhere near any food, I took them home, put them into detergent overnight, washed them, boiled them with Chaga, Mugwort, decon tablets, Iron(III)chloride, more detergent, rinsed with Sagrotan and washed with Lanoline soap, thoroughly rinsed, and was left with some material for a pouch.  

Sewed it together with some twine. 

Then I quickly carved a button from boxwood someone disposed of, sewed it on, and, hey presto, possibles pouch.  

I really enjoy projects like that. It really feels empowering to be able to create something from utter crap, with next to no provisions. Actually I find, that this is a political thing.  There is a wealth for the poor, if we own our poverty. We should not, but this is a way to reclaim sovereignity. To reclaim life.  

There is hope, after all. 

Thanks for dropping in, and take good care. 

 

Making a pouch from Amadou

Used the recently foraged and processed Amadou to make a pouch for a Victorinox Forester Wood. 

Now that little knife is really beautiful,  and that means it needs a bit of protection. So I thought I just wanted to fire away instead of getting everything together. 

Actually it turned out surprisingly like leather.  You can oil it and even do a bit of modelling. It is not as durable,  but perfectly okay. 

Actually it is another piece of knowledge that is currently sending me arse over teacup down the next rabbit hole.... which is a good thing. ;-)

I love to learn.