Plant Profile

Fireweed

Compiled by the Omnia Sana editorial team from the plant database ·Last updated August 15, 2026

Chamerion angustifolium

Family: Onagraceae · Parts used: Flower, Leaf, Young sprouts · Also known as: willowherb, rosebay willowherb, great willowherb, Ivan-chai, epilobium

The complete database record: 3 documented constituents, 5 pharmacological actions, 8 traditional / indicated uses, with 21 cited sources.

Botanical Description

Tall, upright perennial herb spreading by rhizomes, forming large colonies especially on disturbed or burned ground (hence 'fireweed'). The leaves are narrow, lance-shaped, and willow-like, arranged spirally up the stem. Bright pink-purple, four-petalled flowers are borne in a tall, tapering terminal spike (raceme), opening progressively from the base upward as the plant flowers through summer.^[1]

Height: 60-200 cm

Habit: Tall, upright, rhizomatous perennial herb, often forming large colonies

Leaves: Narrow, lance-shaped, willow-like, spirally arranged

Flowers: Bright pink-purple, four-petalled, in a tall tapering terminal raceme

Stem: Erect, usually unbranched, reddish toward the base

Root: Spreading rhizome

Fruit: Long, narrow seed pod splitting to release cottony-tufted seeds

Flowering Period: July-September

Habitat & Distribution

A classic pioneer plant of disturbed, burned or cleared ground, forest clearings, roadsides and riverbanks; native across the temperate and boreal Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America).^[1]

Harvesting

Young shoots are gathered in spring while still tender (traditionally eaten like asparagus); leaves and flowers are picked through summer at flowering, with the leaf sometimes fermented for 'Ivan-chai' tea. Careful identification against the deadly false hellebore (Veratrum), which can share early-spring habitat, is essential when gathering young shoots.^[1]

Parts: Flower, Leaf, Young sprouts

Season: Young sprouts in spring; leaf and flower through summer

Key Constituents

Tannins (oenothein B and related ellagitannins)^[1]

Astringent ellagitannins, notably oenothein B, are associated with the plant's traditional anti-inflammatory and prostate-supportive reputation in the related Epilobium species.

Tannins

Flavonoids and phenolic acids^[4]

Antioxidant polyphenols retained even after simulated digestion of the infusion.

FlavonoidsPhenolic acids

Triterpenoids^[1]

Minor triterpenoid constituents contributing to the plant's bioactivity.

Terpenes / terpenoids

Pharmacological Actions

Anti-inflammatory^{[1, 5, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}

Antimicrobial^{[5, 6, 8, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}

Antioxidant^{[4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}

Digestive aid^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}

Vulnerary (wound healing)^{[1, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}

Traditional & Indicated Uses

Arthritis / joint pain^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2

Label: Arthritis / joint pain

more plants for arthritis / joint pain →detailed sources →

Bloating^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 2

Label: Bloating

more plants for bloating →detailed sources →

Bruising^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from vulnerary action

Evidence: 2

Label: Bruising

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Indigestion^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from digestive action

Evidence: 2

Label: Indigestion

more plants for indigestion →detailed sources →

Infection (general)^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2

Label: Infection (general)

more plants for infection (general) →detailed sources →

Inflammation (general)^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2

Label: Inflammation (general)

more plants for inflammation (general) →detailed sources →

Skin irritation^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from anti-inflammatory action

Evidence: 2

Label: Skin irritation

more plants for skin irritation →detailed sources →

Wounds^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Preliminary · 2/10

inferred from antimicrobial action

Evidence: 2

Label: Wounds

more plants for wounds →detailed sources →

Traditional Use & History

Fireweed has a long circumpolar tradition as a food plant (young shoots as a spring vegetable, fermented leaf as 'Ivan-chai' tea) and as a folk remedy for digestive complaints and topically as a poultice for wounds and skin inflammation, reflecting its astringent, anti-inflammatory character.^[1]

Preparations

Infusion (leaf, 'Ivan-chai')^[1]

Fresh or fermented, dried leaf infused in hot water as a traditional tea, valued both as a beverage and a mild digestive/anti-inflammatory remedy.

Dosage

Infusion^[13]

The EU herbal monograph on Epilobium angustifolium L. and/or Epilobium parviflorum Schreb., herba - which covers this species under its Epilobium name - gives 1.5-2.0 g of the comminuted herb in 250 mL of boiling water as an infusion, twice daily, in adults and elderly; long-term use is possible. A doctor should be consulted if fever, spasms, blood in the urine, painful urination or urinary retention occur. Educational reference only, not a prescription.

Safety, Cautions & Contraindications

Safety note^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18]}Caution

Generally considered safe at culinary and traditional tea-preparation doses. No major contraindications established for healthy adults in normal use. The young shoots and leaves are widely eaten as a spring vegetable in many cultures without adverse effects. At higher supplemental doses, limited human safety data are available; caution is advised during pregnancy and breastfeeding due to lack of robust safety studies. Tannin content may cause digestive upset or constrain iron absorption at very high doses. Rarely, contact dermatitis has been reported with topical preparations in sensitive individuals (Kozhevnikov and Kozhevnikova, 2021).

Safety note^{[14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19]}Info

Duke (2002) includes fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) as ++ with primarily experimental (score 1) evidence. It is used in European phytomedicine as an anti-inflammatory and astringent for gastrointestinal complaints. The related species Epilobium parviflorum has clinical support for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), though data for E. angustifolium specifically is limited. Duke does not note major safety concerns at customary herbal doses (Duke, 2002).

Dangerous Lookalikes

Veratrum Album^{[20, 21]}Fatal

Confused Part: Young spring shoots gathered as an asparagus-like vegetable; the emerging shoots of highly toxic false hellebore can look similar.

Confusion Context: Fireweed / rosebay willowherb (Chamerion angustifolium) young shoots are foraged in spring like asparagus. As foraging guidance (and the US Forest Service) warns, emerging fireweed shoots can resemble highly toxic members of the lily family, notably false hellebore (Veratrum), which shares moist ground and an upright early-spring habit. False hellebore is deadly, containing steroidal alkaloids that cause vomiting, collapse of blood pressure and heart-rhythm disturbances. Fortunately fireweed has an unmistakable leaf feature that separates it at every stage.

Distinguishing Features: Leaf veins (decisive): fireweed's lateral leaf veins loop back and join together INSIDE the leaf margin, rather than running out to the edge - a unique 'looping vein' pattern. False hellebore veins run straight out to the leaf edge., Leaf texture/arrangement: fireweed has narrow, smooth, lance-shaped leaves; false hellebore has large, broad, heavily PLEATED (accordion-ribbed) alternate leaves clasping the stem., Habit: a stout shoot with broad pleated leaves is false hellebore, not the slender fireweed shoot.

Key Test: Look at the leaf veins. Fireweed's side veins curve and join together just inside the leaf edge (looping), on narrow smooth leaves. Broad, deeply pleated (accordion-ribbed) leaves with veins running straight to the edge = false hellebore (Veratrum) - deadly, do not eat. If the leaves are pleated, discard it.

Reviewed By: Omnia Sana (owner-authorized)

Reviewed Date: 2026-07-07

Harvest Readiness

^[11]

Part: shoot

Signals: Gather the young shoots while young and tender (in spring), before the plant grows tall and flowers; the young shoots are cooked like asparagus., SAFETY: young fireweed shoots can be confused with the FATAL white/false hellebore (Veratrum album) at the spring shoot stage; confirm identity before gathering - see this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Young leaves and shoots can be consumed

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Edible Wild Food (REF-3231) for Chamerion angustifolium (syn. Epilobium angustifolium); the young stage is the part used. A clean seasonal/phenophase statement could not be retrieved (theferns had no record; US Forest Service and Gardenia returned 403; PFAF was empty). Single source -> provisional.

^[11]

Part: leaf

Signals: Gather the leaves while young; the young fireweed leaves are the ones used (for tea and as a potherb)., SAFETY: confirm identity before gathering - young fireweed can be confused with the FATAL Veratrum album. See this plant's Dangerous Lookalikes.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: Young leaves and shoots can be consumed

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Edible Wild Food (REF-3231). Single source -> provisional.

^[12]

Part: flower

Signals: Pick the young, freshly opened flowers from the lower part of the spike: the raceme opens progressively from the bottom upwards, so open flowers, unopened buds and forming seed pods all sit on one stem at once.

Basis: traditional

Source Quote: The inflorescence is a symmetrical terminal raceme that blooms progressively from bottom to top, producing a gracefully tapered shape.

Species Confirmed: 1

Notes: Wikipedia (REF-3374) under the accepted name Chamaenerion angustifolium (syn. Chamerion angustifolium); the same page names the material used - 'The young flowers are also edible (being made into jelly in the Yukon)' - and the bottom-to-top flowering sequence gives the stage. Seams that failed earlier: theferns (no record), PFAF (empty), US Forest Service and Gardenia (403), Edible Wild Food (young leaves/shoots only). Single lineage -> provisional.

External Identifiers

GBIF ›Plants of the World Online ›

References & Sources

Karakaya, S., Suntar, I., Yakinci, O.F., Sytar, O., Ceribasi, S. and Dursunoglu, B (2020) 'In vivo bioactivity assessment on Epilobium species: A particular focus on Epilobium angustifolium and its components on enzymes connected with the healing process', Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 262, pp. 113207. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.113207 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.113207
Esposito, C., Santarcangelo, C., Masselli, R., Buonomo, G., Nicotra, G. and Insolia, V (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. extract with high content in oenothein B on benign prostatic hyperplasia: A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial', Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 138, pp. 111414. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111414 Randomized trial
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.111414
Kaskoniene, V., Stankevicius, M., Drevinskas, T., Akuneca, I., Kaskonas, P. and Bimbiraite-Surviliene, K (2015) 'Evaluation of phytochemical composition of fresh and dried raw material of introduced Chamerion angustifolium L. using chromatographic, spectrophotometric and chemometric techniques', Phytochemistry, 115, pp. 184-193. doi:10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.02.005 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phytochem.2015.02.005
Kowalik, K., Polak-Berecka, M., Prendecka-Wrobel, M., Pigon-Zajac, D., Niedzwiedz, I. and Szwajgier, D (2022) 'Biological Activity of an Epilobium angustifolium L. (Fireweed) Infusion after In Vitro Digestion', Molecules, 27(3), pp. 1006. doi:10.3390/molecules27031006 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27031006
Nowak, A., Zagorska-Dziok, M., Peruzynska, M., Cybulska, K., Kucharska, E. and Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P (2022) 'Assessment of the Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial and Anti-Aging Properties and Possible Use on the Skin of Hydrogels Containing Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts', Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, pp. 896706. doi:10.3389/fphar.2022.896706 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2022.896706
Nowak, A., Duchnik, W., Makuch, E., Kucharski, L., Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P. and Cybulska, K (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. Essential Oil-Biological Activity and Enhancement of the Skin Penetration of Drugs-In Vitro Study', Molecules, 26(23), pp. 7188. doi:10.3390/molecules26237188 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26237188
Olennikov, D.N., Kirillina, C.S. and Chirikova, N.K (2021) 'Water-Soluble Melanoidin Pigment as a New Antioxidant Component of Fermented Willowherb Leaves (Epilobium angustifolium)', Antioxidants, 10(8), pp. 1300. doi:10.3390/antiox10081300 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox10081300
Dreger, M., Adamczak, A. and Foksowicz-Flaczyk, J (2023) 'Antibacterial and Antimycotic Activity of Epilobium L. Extracts: A Review', Pharmaceuticals, 16(10), pp. 1419. doi:10.3390/ph16101419 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/ph16101419
Nowak, A., Zagorska-Dziok, M., Ossowicz-Rupniewska, P., Makuch, E., Duchnik, W. and Kucharski, L (2021) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts as Valuable Ingredients in Cosmetic and Dermatological Products', Molecules, 26(11), pp. 3456. doi:10.3390/molecules26113456 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113456
Nowak, A., Zielonka-Brzezicka, J., Peruzynska, M. and Klimowicz, A (2022) 'Epilobium angustifolium L. as a Potential Herbal Component of Topical Products for Skin Care and Treatment - A Review', Molecules, 27(11), pp. 3536. doi:10.3390/molecules27113536 Meta-analysis / review
https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27113536
Edible Wild Food 'Fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium)'. Available at: https://www.ediblewildfood.com/fireweed.aspx Traditional / reference
https://www.ediblewildfood.com/fireweed.aspx
Wikipedia contributors 'Chamaenerion angustifolium'. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaenerion_angustifolium Traditional / reference
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chamaenerion_angustifolium
European Medicines Agency (HMPC) (2015) 'European Union herbal monograph on Epilobium angustifolium L. and/or Epilobium parviflorum Schreb., herba'. Available at: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf Traditional / reference
https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/documents/herbal-monograph/final-european-union-herbal-monograph-epilobium-angustifolium-l-andor-epilobium-parviflorum-schreb-herba_en.pdf
Battinelli, L., Tita, B., Evandri, M.G. and Mazzanti, G (2014) 'Antimicrobial activity of Epilobium spp', pp. extracts. doi:10.1016/S0014-827X(01)01092-0 Preclinical
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0014-827X(01)01092-0
http://Latvijasdaba.lv (n.d.) 'ugunspuķe – Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub'. Available at: http://Latvijasdaba.lv Traditional / reference
http://Latvijasdaba.lv
Kozhevnikov, A.Y. and Kozhevnikova, N.A (2021) 'Phytochemical and Pharmacological Review of Chamerion angustifolium (Fireweed)', 10(11). doi:10.3390/plants10112295 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10112295
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (n.d.) 'Chamerion angustifolium (L.) Holub'. Available at: https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:19659-1 Traditional / reference
https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:http://ipni.org:names:19659-1
Zhivoderov, A., Laletina, D. and Ushakova, I (2021) 'Ivan-chai: the history and properties of Russian herbal tea', 7(2), pp. 62. doi:10.3390/fermentation7020062 Traditional / reference
https://doi.org/10.3390/fermentation7020062
Duke, J.A (2002) 'Handbook of Medicinal Herbs, Second Edition'. Traditional / reference
https://scholar.google.com/scholar?q=Handbook%20of%20Medicinal%20Herbs%2C%20Second%20Edition
Forage-ology 'Foraging Fireweed: How to Identify and Use Every Part of This Stunning Wild Plant'. Available at: https://forage-ology.com/foraging-fireweed-how-to-identify-and-use-every-part-of-this-stunning-wild-plant/ Traditional / reference
https://forage-ology.com/foraging-fireweed-how-to-identify-and-use-every-part-of-this-stunning-wild-plant/
Garnier, R. and Carlier, P. and Hoffelt, J. and Savidan, A (1985) 'Acute dietary poisoning by white hellebore (Veratrum album L.). Clinical and analytical data. A propos of 5 cases', Annales de Medecine Interne (Paris), 136(2), pp. 125-8. Available at: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4073696/ Clinical study
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/4073696/

Selected studies & references

ReviewAntibacterial and Antimycotic Activity of Epilobium L. Extracts: A Review source↗ (2023)

ReviewEpilobium angustifolium L. as a Potential Herbal Component of Topical Products for Skin Care and Treatment - A Review source↗ (2022)

RctEpilobium angustifolium L. extract with high content in oenothein B on benign prostatic hyperplasia: A monocentric, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalAssessment of the Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial and Anti-Aging Properties and Possible Use on the Skin of Hydrogels Containing Epilobium angustifolium L. Extracts source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalBiological Activity of an Epilobium angustifolium L. (Fireweed) Infusion after In Vitro Digestion source↗ (2022)

PreclinicalEpilobium angustifolium L. Essential Oil-Biological Activity and Enhancement of the Skin Penetration of Drugs-In Vitro Study source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalEpilobium angustifolium L. Extracts as Valuable Ingredients in Cosmetic and Dermatological Products source↗ (2021)

PreclinicalWater-Soluble Melanoidin Pigment as a New Antioxidant Component of Fermented Willowherb Leaves (Epilobium angustifolium) source↗ (2021)

All 16 studies in the Knowledge Finder →

Educational use only. This profile summarises traditional and scientific sources for reference. It is not medical advice and not a substitute for a qualified practitioner. Some plants carry safety cautions and drug interactions - always check before use.
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