Mountain Tea –

Mountain tea is made using the dried leaves and flowers of Sideritis plants (ironwort). The tea is aptly named: the plant used to make it is found on rocky slopes at elevations over 3 200 feet (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.

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.

Mountain tea is traditionally used to fight the common cold flu and allergies. Other traditional uses are for soothing breathing difficulties aiding digestion strengthening the immune system and calming mild anxiety. It is also used to relieve sinus congestion.

Scientists recently suggested that the traditional Greek promotion of mountain tea as a panacea for most illnesses may be remarkably close to the truth. Modern tests have indicted that the tea helps in the prevention of osteoporosis while its anti-oxidant properties aid in the prevention of cancer. The studies also indicate Mountain Tea has a positive effect on almost anything that ails.

Mountain tea is known scientifically to be anti-microbial anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant. The active elements in Mountain tea that make it beneficial for health are diterpenoids flavonoids and its essential oils. Significant research has been done on Mountain tea confirming its popular use to prevent colds flu and allergies.