Greek Mountain Tea – Drink For Health Benefits

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mountain tea

Greek Mountain Tea. Image by Deyan Vasilev

For centuries, inhabitants of Greece have been drinking a tea made from the flowers and stalks of a plant that grows in the mountains, and sometimes called Mountain Tea. While there are several distinct species including Sideritis scardica (which grows on Mount Olympus and has been the subject of most scientific inquiry) and Sideritis purpurea, they are also locally known as “Shepherd’s Tea,” and “Ironwort,” and in Greece it is called “Tsai Tou VouNou.” It has long been believed that drinking a tea made from this plant had beneficial properties for good health, and there is scientific evidence to support those claims.

Traditionally, it’s been used to relieve respiratory infections and coughs including those caused by colds, and has been used to also prevent such infections. As well, Mountain Tea is used to relieve stomach and digestive problems. The plant only grows at an elevation above 3,000 feet and shepherds used to gather it up while tending their sheep in the mountainous regions. Hippocrates, who is often considered the father of modern medicine, wrote about Mountain Tea and it’s health benefits while praising it for it’s ability to heal the body when brewed with hot water. This shows us just how long this beverage has been used as both a health tonic and medicine as Hippocrates was born in the 5th century BC.

So what makes the tea brewed from the flowers, leaves and stems of this plant so amazing for good health?

Mountain Tea’s Antioxidants

The small yellow flowers, leaves and stems of Sideritis are rich in oils and compounds which are known antioxidants. One of these is called kaempherol – a flavenoid with very powerful properties. It has been studied and results indicate that it can be beneficial for a wide range of illnesses (including their prevention) such as leukemia, breast cancer, diabetes and even lung cancer. Presently, this flavenoid is being considered on it’s own as a possible treatment for a variety of cancers.

Other compounds with high antioxidant properties in Sideritis include aglycones, chlorogenic acid (cancer preventing compound), verbascoside (anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial), and many others have also been identified.

Mountain Tea For Anxiety & Depression

Hippocrates recognized that sipping Mountain Tea had a positive effect on anxiety and depression, and again, scientific research is bearing this out to be a true fact. A paper published in the peer reviewed journal Molecules in April 2015 discussed a study in which four flavenoids (xanthomicrol (1), isoscutellarein 7-O-[6”’-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), isoscutellarein 7-O-[6”’-O-acetyl-β-D-allopyranosyl-(1→2)]-6”-O-acetyl-β-D-glucopyranoside (3) and salvigenin) found in Mountain Tea were shown to have an effect on inhibiting hMAO in the human brain.

Higher levels of hMAO in the brain are associated with several conditions including anxiety, depression, Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. In other words, regular consumption of Mountain Tea could help you prevent mental illnesses related to aging while also helping others that have mood disorders not related or specific to any age. If you suffer from anxiety and/or depression, this tea, regularly consumed, may have beneficial effects for you.

Mountain Tea & Libido

There are some references in older literature that suggests regular consumption of Mountain or Shepherd’s Tea can also have beneficial effects on libido. While there has been little, if any, scientific research in this area, it is quite possible that some of the anecdotal evidence may be correct.

With a high content of the minerals potassium and zinc, both of which are necessary for good health including sexual health, drinking this beverage may also help with mineral balance. Additionally, with the anti-anxiety and antidepressant qualities, regular consumption may have an ability to help you “get in the mood” that is more difficult when you are feeling depressed or anxious.

How To Make The Tea

Making Mountain Tea is pretty simple. For one serving, add a small handful of the herb to water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. While many other teas are made by pouring boiling water over the tea leaves or herbs, many suggest that bringing the water to a boil with the herb from the start is preferred with this type of tea.

Allow the tea to boil for a few minutes and then remove the pot or saucepan from the heat. Allow to steep an additional 5 minutes and then strain into a mug or cup.

KirIan Greek Mountain Tea – Mount Taygetos – Click To Purchase

The tea can be drank as is, although some people enjoy adding a bit of lemon juice and/or honey.

Where To Get Greek Mountain Tea

Probably the best place to get this herb is in the mountains of Greece. However, if you want to enjoy its benefits including cancer prevention (and possibly also cancer treatment), as a cold and cough remedy, and its mood-enhancing properties but don’t live in Greece, it can be difficult to locate in neighborhood grocery stores. Some larger ones that have an “international section” may carry it, but it’s likely that ordering it online will be the easiest way to obtain it.

Our research indicates that the KirIan brand (available here) is perhaps the highest quality. Not only is it organic, the owners of this company have driven around Greece to compare various producers and their methods so that you can be assured that your getting the best quality Sideritis available (and it tastes great!).

Coming Soon! Genuine Greek Oregano

Find out more: Kirian Goods

References:
Flavonoids from Sideritis Species: Human Monoamine Oxidase (hMAO) Inhibitory Activities, Molecular Docking Studies and Crystal Structure of Xanthomicrol. Abstract

Extraction and identification of natural antioxidant from Sideritis euboea (mountain tea). (Abstract)

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9 Comments

  1. Rosemary Smythe on July 8, 2015 at 1:07 am

    Grew up on this. Glad to see Greek Mountain Tea is available on Amazon. I only have had it lately, when I have visitors from Greece visiting.

  2. admin on July 8, 2015 at 3:08 am

    Thanks for the reply, Rosemary. Yes, we have some friends who were originally from Greece and they swear by Mountain Tea as being a very healthy beverage.

    Hope you manage to get some soon!

  3. Dimitris on July 8, 2015 at 5:34 pm

    Escuse my bad English – yes, this tea very popular in Greece. And Greek people know the great health benefits to drink every day for many years. Grandparents made me drink when I was little boy. I’m glad for that.

  4. Albi on December 15, 2016 at 9:05 am

    This is very known in Albania too..Albanian mountains are full of this Tea… known as “Caj Mali”……Very aromatic, strong, and fresh..Also the honey made by his flowers its very tasty..

    • admin on December 20, 2016 at 6:28 pm

      Thanks so much letting us know about Mountain Tea (Caj Mali) in Albania 🙂 Perhaps one day we’ll also be able to try to the honey made its nectar.

      Appreciate your comment and more education about this!

  5. Alban on April 24, 2017 at 10:08 pm

    Sideritis Raeseri is called Caj Mali (Mountain Tee) in Albania. It’s grown only in Albania, a very mountainous country. It sholud’t be confonded with the very common Sideritis Syriaca that can be found in all Mediterranian countries and in other Balkan countries.
    This was for centuries the most used tee by the Albanian population.
    It was recommanded for cold, flu, respiratory problems, as antiinflamatory remedy, etc.
    It has a wonderful golden color and a very nice aroma. Honey, lemon or milk can be added.

  6. Ellen Balla on September 16, 2017 at 2:04 am

    This has become my favorite beverage. I just feel healthier, have more energy, and can work for hours if I have to. My brain stays sharp and on task. I’ve been drinking it for about five months straight, now, every day. The taste is mild and delicious. I drink it with Greek honey and a little lemon. It is a very strong diaretoric, and I’ve actually noticed it. This, they say helps lower blood pressure. It seems to be good for just about everything. I read many articles about it, and found only great comments and great health benefits. I also read that it has been called, “The Tea of the Titans.” It also seems to help with inflamation. I fell and damaged my hands badly (bad skiing accident), and I’m in permanent hand/wrist/thumb braces so I can still work. This has turned to arthritis, and I’ve noticed that my hands are not as swollen as they were before I started drinking this tea. I found out about it when I watched a documentary on “The Island Where People Forget To Die,” a small island in Greece. I recommend the documentary. It’s fascinating. Everyone there stays healthy and happy. The story of the gentleman who had cancer and went back home to this island to die (and didn’t) is incredible! I also don’t seem to get “what’s going around,” anymore, and if I start to feel sick, I just make another pot of this tea, and enjoy it. Try it. I hope you love it as much as I do!

    • admin on September 16, 2017 at 2:47 am

      Thanks so much for your comment, Ellen, and your own testimonial to the efficacy of Greek Mountain Tea! Very glad that your health has improved and you are experiencing less arthritis pain. The Tea of The Titans certainly is a very healthy beverage!

      Best of luck to you, and again, thank you!

  7. Lina on January 6, 2019 at 8:59 pm

    Add some spearmint and chamomile in the mix. Enjoy!

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