Sideritis scardica, whole herb with flowers, excellent quality, from controlled organic cultivation, aromatic-spicy-lemony

History:

Greek mountain tea is not a herbal tea blend, but a wild growing plant found in the high altitudes of Turkey and Greece. Greek verbena, which is often confused with sage because of its appearance, belongs to the labiates family, as do lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, hyssop and mint. More than 80 species of sideritis are native to the entire Mediterranean region. The medicinal plant available here still tastes strongly aromatic even in the second infusion.

In ancient times, the Greek verbena, known as "Sideritis of Dioskuros" (Greek physician from the 1st century A.D.), was used, among other things, to heal injuries caused by metal weapons. Among the Greeks, sideritis is still the first choice for colds and coughs. With honey and cinnamon, the expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect of the medicinal plant is further enhanced. According to a study by Dr. Foitiou, Athens 1962, the healing effect is due to the abundant flavones, which also explains the good effect on the heart and capillaries. In addition to essential oils, sideritis also contains "good" bitter substances, pseudo-tannins, flavonoids visible as colourants in the tea and even substances with antibiotic effects.Fresh-spicy, slightly lemony and tart. Drunk hot, it is a delight after a strenuous day; drunk cold, it is a gentle refreshment. In Greece and Turkey, the tea is often prepared as an after-work drink that calms and relaxes the nerves. Natural enjoyment without added flavours.

Recent research shows evidence of central nervous effects of Greek verbena. Thus, Greek verbena tea could alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia (Prof. Pahnke, University of Rostock).

Occurrence:

Eastern northern Greece, in mountains from Macedonia to Greece. Bulgarian sources see the origin in their country.

It grows sporadically and in groups along roadsides, on pastures, walls, rubble and in gardens as a weed.

An excellent species for the rock garden, easy to cultivate in any good, well-drained soil in a sheltered and full sun location. In its original intensity, however, this medicinal plant only grows in the wild on the barren and stony slopes of the Taygetos Mountains. Shepherds and farmers collect it there in the old tradition and dry it in small bundles, hung up in the shade. The perennial plant is harvested in a way that does not endanger the species. We attach great importance to this with all herbs from wild collection!

Since 2007, the region around the Peleponnes- Taygetos Mountains has been designated as a nature reserve.

Plant family:

Labiatae, Lamiaceae = Labiatae

Colloquial names:

The Bulgarian Viagra, Greek mountain tea, Greek verbena (numerous regional names exist, even different from village to village, probably also describing different varieties).

Botanical description:

Greek mountain tea is a completely hardy perennial species with very ornamental, densely white-woolly, grey-felty, aromatic, narrow, rough leaves with deep incisions and short shoots with primrose-yellow flower corollas growing in spikes from the bottom upwards. Above the leaves, the verbena grows several hard side branches that bear the tiny flowers. Vervain is an annual to perennial. Its hard, four-edged stem grows up to 80 cm high, but usually only 30-50 cm.

Plant part used:

Stem, leaves and flowers

Active substance/gathering time:

The dried parts of the plant are collected after flowering. Flowering time from June- August

Ingredients:

Rich in essential oils (e.g. fragrant monoterpenes, bitter substances with diterpene structure, pseudo-tannins with triterpene structure) and colourings (flavonoids). Not only the flowers, but also the stems and leaves contain these substances. Rich in minerals and trace elements (Na, K, Zn, Mg, Ca, P, Si, Al, Fe, Cu, Se, S), Contains phenols and traces of caffeine.

Medicinal properties:

Antibacterial, stimulant, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, expectorant, central nervous effect.

Use and dosage:

In the meantime, modern science has also proven the healing effect of Greek mountain tea. Due to its anti-inflammatory, expectorant and antibacterial effect, Greek mountain tea can effectively fight many a cold and inflammation of the upper respiratory tract and strengthen the immune system.

Classical areas of application are therefore colds and digestive problems, as well as diseases of the capillaries and the heart.

Recent research indicates that Greek verbena / Greek mountain tea could help with Alzheimer's disease. In an experiment with mice suffering from Alzheimer's disease, the deposits in the brain of the animals, which are typical for this disease, decreased by 80 %. There are indications of central nervous effects, such as the reuptake inhibition of monoamines, or the prolongation of the retention time of the neurotransmitters serotonin, dopamine and noradrenalin in the synaptic cleft. Because the messenger molecules are not immediately returned to the cells after stimulus-reduced release, they can act longer on the receptors and thus increase the activity of different types of neurons in the brain. For many hundreds of years, the Greeks have valued their verbena because it is said to strengthen mental power.

Greek mountain tea noticeably improves the brain's performance, confirms Prof. Pahnke. However, one has to drink a pot of it daily to achieve an effect.

In addition, extracts from sideritis have been developed that can be successfully used to treat depressive moods, anxiety disorders or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Greek mountain tea is also said to have an aphrodisiac effect.

We recommend Greek verbena / Greek mountain tea as a pleasant herbal tea that transports us to the mountain world of Greece, to the gods of antiquity, with its uniquely intense aromatic taste. The stems, flowers and leaves are all used in the brew.

In the morning, pour approx. 1 l of hot water (80°) over 3-4 stems, cover, leave to infuse for approx. 15 min, strain into a thermos flask and drink throughout the day.

External treatment of wounds in the form of soaked compresses with either the decoction or the extract is also conceivable. In this case, the basic principles of surgical wound care must of course be observed. 

We obtain our Greek mountain tea directly from Greece from a small family-run organic farm. The dried plants are lovingly packed by us mainly as whole plants, i.e. uncut. This keeps the valuable active ingredients of the medicinal plant protected from the effects of air.

Greek verbena / Greek mountain tea from wild collection:

Greek verbena / Greek mountain tea (lat.: Sideritis scardica) is closely related to sage and, like lemon balm, marjoram, oregano, hyssop and mint, belongs to the labiates family.

Over 80 species of Sideritis are native to the entire Mediterranean region.

 In ancient times, the Greek verbena, known as "Sideritis of Dioscuros", was used, among other things, to heal injuries caused by metal weapons. Among the Greeks, sideritis is still the first choice for colds and coughs today. With honey and cinnamon, the expectorant and anti-inflammatory effect of the medicinal plant is increased even more.

According to a study by Dr. Foitiou, Athens 1962, the healing effect is due to the abundant "flavones", which also explains the good effect on the heart and capillaries. In addition to essential oils, sideritis also contains "good" bitter substances, pseudo-tannins, flavonoids visible as colourants in the tea and even substances with antibiotic effects.

We recommend Greek verbena / Greek mountain tea as a pleasant herbal tea which, with its uniquely intense aromatic taste, transports us to the mountain world of Greece, to the gods of antiquity.In its very own intensity, it only grows on the barren and stony slopes in the wild. Shepherds and farmers collect it there in the old tradition and dry it in small bundles, hung in the shade.

The population of the perennial plant is not endangered by the species-friendly harvesting.

 The fields are located in the mountains of Othrys, the mountain of the Titans in Greek mythology. The tea is cultivated in its natural habitat at an altitude of about 1200 metres.

Further information can be found at:

https://www.herbathek.com/blog/neueste-studie-ueber-alzheimer/

https://www.herbathek.com/blog/griechisches-eisenkraut-verlangsamt-moeglicherweise-alzheimer-prozesse/

https://www.herbathek.com/blog/griechischer-bergtee-ein-kraut-fuer-alle-faelle/