Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis): The Well being Advantages of an Historical Natural Elixir

December 10, 2024

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Uncover the energizing results of Greek Mountain Tea – a preferred natural tea from the mountains of Greece identified for its medicinal advantages since historical occasions.

Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis): The Well being Advantages of an Historical Natural Elixir — Greek Mountain Tea

My daughters and I just lately had the chance to journey to Greece, a land steeped in historical historical past and pure magnificence. Our journey led us to discover the picturesque villages of Delphi and Arachova, nestled within the rugged mountain cliffs of the Peloponnese area, the place I found Greek Mountain tea.

As spectacular because the archaeological websites in Athens had been, they don’t seem to be the one Historical Greek wonders. Delphi was as soon as regarded as the middle of the world. The Oracle of Delphi was a priestess who sat within the heart of the Apollo Temple and gave the traditional Greek leaders recommendation and prophecy. It is a extremely religious place with wonderful power. For the Greeks, divinity was carefully related to nature.

Tholos of Delphi within the Sanctuary of Athena

After exploring the Tholos of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo, we visited Arachova. Arachova sits at a 3,000-foot elevation on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus and is a well-liked ski resort.

Throughout our go to to Arachova, I stumbled upon a pleasant discovery – Greek mountain tea, a useful medicinal plant used for hundreds of years. The village retailers had many connoisseur meals merchandise produced by the native individuals, and we tasted well-known Greek honey, olive oil, and mountain tea.

What Is Greek Mountain Tea?

Greece has dozens of endemic vegetation with important medicinal properties and fragrant qualities.

As we explored the city of Arachova, a pleasant aged Greek store proprietor launched me to Greek mountain tea, identified regionally as “tsai tou vounou” (mountain tea). The botanical identify is “Sideritis scardica.” The store was considerable with native harvests, together with many scrumptious jars of honey. We tasted probably the most pleasant thyme, pine, and lavender honey.

The traditional Greeks have been utilizing mountain tea for hundreds of years, and it holds a particular place of their tradition and traditions. Greeks consider in its quite a few well being advantages and infrequently serve it as an natural treatment for numerous illnesses. The tea is constituted of the Sideritis plant’s dried flowers, leaves, and stems, native to the excessive elevations of the Greek mountains.

In Greek, “Sideritis” is translated as “he who’s product of iron.” The Greek phrase for iron is “sidero” in English. The Sideritis genus, also referred to as ironwort or shepherd’s tea, is native to the rocky terrain of Greece’s mountains.

There are three species: Sideritis lanata (furry ironwort), Sideritis montana (mountain ironwort), and Sideritis romana (simplebeak ironwort). Many Sideritis cultivars are discovered within the Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, and Balkans. (supply)

Sideritis scardica
Sideritis purpurea Talb. – present in western Greece, the Ionian islands and Crete
Sideritis remota Urv.
Sideritis scardica Gris. – also referred to as Olympus tea
Sideritis theezans Boiss & Heldr – present in Peloponnese
Sideritis raiseri Boiss & Heldr
Sideritis euboea Heldr – discovered on the island of Euboea
Sideritis syriaca L., Sideritis cretica Boiss, Sideritis boissieri Magn. – present in Crete and collectively generally known as Malotira

What Does Greek Mountain Tea Style Like?

Good mountain tea is hand made and harvested from the mountains of Greece. The soothing flavors are a harmonious fusion of earthy sage and zesty citrus notes, creating an distinctive natural tea. Some varietals have little hairlike fuzz on the stems and silvery leaves.

Associated:

Well being Advantages of Greek Mountain Tea

Greek Mountain tea has been used as a treatment by the Greeks for 1000’s of years to alleviate widespread chilly signs, soothe sore throats, and relieve gastrointestinal problems. It is usually thought-about a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent with excessive ranges of antioxidants. Many locals consider the medicinal properties of standard tea consuming can enhance the immune system, enhance digestion, and promote total well-being. (supply)

By establishing the connection between physique, soul, and surroundings, historical Greek philosophy and medication laid the foundations for contemporary healthcare ideas. Scientists have confirmed {that a} Greek mountain tea infusion acts as a tonic with out inflicting restlessness, helps digestion, softens a cough, and does marvelous issues towards colds. (supply)

Scientific research assist these therapeutic properties:

Greek Mountain Tea is a naturally caffeine-free natural infusion.
Helps digestion and reduces irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. (supply)
Boosts immunity and total well being. (supply)
It could decrease blood stress by stress-free blood vessels. (supply)
Reduces anxiousness. (supply)
Improves sleep high quality on account of its calming impact. (supply)

Greek Mountain Tea closeup — Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis)

The tiny yellow flowers of the Sideritis plant comprise massive quantities of important oils and polyphenols. The extreme, heady aroma of freshly-cut mountain tea is claimed to evoke a way of euphoria.

Wild bees dive deep into the yellow blossoms to suck their stimulating nectar. Beekeeping and honey cultivation is one other follow of historical Greece that thrives in fashionable Greece immediately. The Greek thinker Hippocrates, the daddy of contemporary medication, advisable honey to all his sufferers.

As reported in Planta Medica, science helps the traditional claims that the ironwort (Greek Tea) oils stop osteoporosis and enhance digestion. Its antioxidant properties could assist in stopping most cancers. (supply)

I developed a keenness for Greek mountain tea throughout my quick keep in Greece. The expertise of having fun with this conventional beverage amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Greece was genuinely unforgettable. Greek mountain tea is a pleasant refreshment and a cherished connection to Greece’s wealthy cultural heritage and its individuals’s knowledge.

The place to Purchase Greek Mountain Tea

Since I am unable to be in Greece each day, I found an genuine Greek tea firm in america, Klio Tea. I am having fun with their Greek Mountain tea from Mount Orthys. Klio Tea imports uncommon Greek honey, olive oils, and medicinal mountain teas offered as free leaf tea, which I doubt I might ever discover in any grocery shops.

For these unfamiliar, this tea has a sage-citrusy style, as I discussed. I desire mine with a little bit of honey. With greater than 180 vitamins, honey is a meals of excessive dietary worth. It is beautiful any time of day however significantly useful when you have a sore throat or higher respiratory issues from one of many many widespread colds.

I discover the mountain tea with honey very stress-free and have shortly included it into my night routine. Why not add Greek honey and mountain tea to your pantry?

The way to Make Greek Mountain Tea

The store proprietor in Arachova instructed me to make use of solely the flower buds to make the mountain tea. The tiny yellow flowers comprise a lot of the medicinal advantages.

Nevertheless, the standard means of shopping for and making Greek mountain tea is to buy and infuse your entire chopping of the dried plant, together with the flower buds, leaves and stems, which is how I purchased the tea.

The standard recipe for getting ready Greek mountain tea.

Recipe