Greek Mountain tea: Properties and beneficial benefits

The mountain tea is a particularly popular herb, beloved in all Mediterranean countries, especially during the winter months. Its nutritional value is remarkable and, in addition to its unique aftertaste, it also contributes to the hydration of the body.

Organic mountain tea from the mountains of Epirus

Its scientific name is Sideritis and more than 100 different species have been recorded, of which 17 grow exclusively in Greece: Siderite the perforated on Mount Athos (Sideritis perfoliata), Siderite the smuggler in Taygetos (Sideritis clandestina), Siderite the Syrian in Crete (Sideritis syriaca), Sideritis Epirus (Sideritis Raeseri) Iron the scard on Mount Olympus (Sideritis scardica), Siderite the Euboean in Evia (Sideritis euboea) etc. All species are resistant to heat and drought and grow between rocks.

Description Features

Perennial, up to 50 cm tall, with a hard, robust and hairy stem. It has opposite, fuzzy, slightly toothed leaves with strong ribs. The flowers are yellow or white in inflorescences forming an ear, protected by small hairy green or slightly purple leaves and forming a capsule.

It needs stony, well-drained soils to grow and is usually found at altitudes above 800m.

Properties

Mountain tea is one of the most famous herbs in Greece. Almost every region of the country is home to one or more native varieties.

Its high consumption and the commercial interest it generates often creates uncontrolled over-collection with many varieties threatened with extinction.

In recent years, the most organized and intensive cultivation has begun. Research into its medicinal properties has intensified, mainly because of its positive effects on the nervous system.

There are indications that it may be a tool for the treatment or prevention of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's.

Its mechanism of action is the inhibition of the accumulation of beta-amyloid substance which appears to be one of the main causes of Alzheimer's. It even reverses the inflammatory destruction of neurons.

Regular consumption is needed as the results begin at six months of use. It also brings about cognitive improvements and increases cerebral blood flow. May affect mental disorders such as major depression, attention deficit disorders, anxiety disorders, hyperactivity and mental deficits.

In the digestive system, it helps with indigestion and stomach ache and has antispasmodic properties. It helps to reduce peptic inflammation and peptic ulcers.

The European Medicines Agency concluded that it can relieve mild discomfort in the stomach and intestines." It also produces benefits in cases of diarrhoea due to its astringent properties.

"In the respiratory system it acts in the treatment of cough, sore throat and bronchitis. It reduces the symptoms of colds and bedsores by stimulating the body and the immune system.

Finally, externally it has started to be used as an ingredient in many skin care products since its rich antioxidants seem to act anti-aging and regenerative to the skin.

The Cretan variety sideritis syriaca is called in Crete malotira or kalokus.The name kalokoimithia was given to it because the farmers lay on the herb and slept soundly. The fluffy, soft parts of the herb combined with its wonderful fragrance provided this experience.

Hypertension

Animal studies show that systematic daily intake of the recommended daily dose of Sideritis extract leads to dilation-relaxation of blood vessels, resulting in a reduction of blood pressure levels and a reduction of stress on the heart muscle. There is significant evidence that mountain tea may help to enhance cardiovascular health, but further research is needed before it can be considered an effective treatment for humans.

Digestive System

Mountain tea is traditionally used in our country to enhance the health of the digestive system and relieve indigestion and stomach pain. Research shows that it helps reduce inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract due to its phenolic and antioxidant content.

Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic action

A research team from the Universities of Patras and Ioannina examined the decoction of Sideritis clandestina and found its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anxiolytic effects. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties are due to glycosides of apigenin. In experiments on mice, it was found that the antioxidant defences of brain areas of those who consumed a mountain tea decoction for 6 weeks were enhanced. In addition, it was shown to combat anxiety, i.e. it has anxiolytic action, without the side effects observed in other herbal anxiolytics.

Antimicrobial

Analyses by Greek researchers, conducted on sideritis plants, have shown that they contain many essential oils with antimicrobial effect (mainly against Gram+ microbes but also against a specific line of the fungus Candida Albicans), while Euboea tea showed activity against specific microbes, similar to the antibiotics ampicillin and amikacin. In addition, the essential oils of mountain tea, especially those of malotir (Sideritis syriaca) are particularly active antimicrobials, due to their carbacrol content.

Other actions

Anti-anemic (contains iron), anti-aging (due to its antioxidant components is an ingredient of skin care products such as anti-aging creams, hair masks, etc.), antispasmodic, diuretic, helps good kidney function and acts preventively against the appearance of cataracts. In addition, mountain tea strengthens the immune system and in particular seems to be effective in the treatment of colds, nasal congestion, respiratory problems and persistent cough.

Are there any side effects?

Mountain tea does not contain caffeine so it can be consumed in sufficient quantity without fear. Since it does not have a stimulating effect, it is safe to be consumed in reasonable quantities by children. It has no known side effects.

In what ways can we include it in the diet?

• As a decoction
• As an infusion
• As a cold drink

Method of preparation

Decoction

Boil water. When the boiling stops, add 2 teaspoons of mountain tea for every cup of water. Leave it for 4 minutes, strain and drink.

Infusion

In a cup of boiling water, add 2 teaspoons of mountain tea, cover and leave for about 10 minutes. Then strain it and drink it.

We can safely consume several cups a day, especially in cases of colds, since mountain tea does not contain caffeine. With a little honey and a few drops of fresh lemon, this wonderful tea will give us immediate relief.

Hot or Cold drink

We make an infusion of mountain tea and tylium. Optionally add 1 teaspoon of honey or brown sugar. Apart from its wonderful taste, it will also give you a wonderful and peaceful sleep if you drink it in the evening hot or cold, just before going to sleep.

A few historical facts

Mountain tea, or siderite, has been known since the time of Dioscorides and Hippocrates, who recommended it as a tonic herb and favoured it for its healing properties, ideal for treating wounds from iron objects in battles (swords, arrows), to which it owes its name. For other contemporaries of Hippocrates, the name denoted the shoots of the plant, which had swords that resembled the point of a spear. Today, swords and arrows are a thing of the past, but mountain tea, rich in iron and copper, remains the most popular and perhaps our most beloved Greek herb, and one that almost no home is without. The classic common tea or black tea has nothing to do with mountain tea. Black tea comes from the leaves of the Camelia sinensis plant, contains caffeine and different polyphenols, while the biological properties attributed to it differ significantly.