Mountain tea
Prized for its
medicinal benefits
Greek Mountain Tea is made using the
dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants. The tea is aptly named: the plant
used to make it is found on rocky slopes at elevations over 1000 meters. These plants
are hardy flowering perennials that have adapted to survive with little water
and little soil. Only one type of this plant, Sideritis raeseri, is cultivated
- and only in Greece; otherwise, this and other types are gathered in the wild.
The most common English name other than
Mountain Tea is "Shepherd's Tea," because Greek shepherds would use
the plants to make a brewed tea while tending their flocks high in the hills.
Mountain Tea is enormously popular in
Greece, and used most often in winter when levels of physical activity decrease
and colds, aches, and pains increase. It is said to have a positive effect on
almost anything that ails but, most notably, it is used for colds, respiratory
problems, digestion, the immune system, mild anxiety, and as an anti-oxidant.
It is also used as an anti-inflammatory and to reduce fever.
Ready to Get Healthy? Let's Make Tea
- 20 –30 gr of the dried leaves and flowers
- 1 litre of boiling water
Pour boiling water over the tea and let
steep for no longer than 10 minutes.
Serving suggestions: Serve Mountain Tea at
breakfast or before retiring at night, with olives, arsenico cheese
(kefalotiri), and crusty bread.
Dictamnus
The famous
dictamnus of Krete, a plant which you find rarely nowadays in nature and very
difficult to cultivate was used by Ippoctates for the cure of skin
inflammations. It is said to have miraculous qualities. In the old times it was
used by pregnant women during child labor. Its revival qualities are
equally known.
Boil 20 – 30 gr of
dictamnus in 1 lt of water to have an invigorating hot drink that helps against
head and stomach aches.