Greek Mountain Tea Cut Loose Herbal Tea 100g-500g – Sideritis Raeseri
Ancient Greek philosophers were on to something when they promoted drinking this antioxidant-packed tea. The ancient Greek shepherds high up in the mountains were on to something when they started to brew this unique plant to keep warm and protect them from getting sick. Read on to learn all about Greek mountain tea and its benefits. What Is Greek Mountain Tea?Mountain tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal tea made from a single variety of the sideritis plant. Also known as “Shepherd’s Tea” or “Greek Mountain Tea,” it is referred to in Greece as Tsai tou vounou, translating directly to “Tea of the mountain.” It is brewed using the dried flowers, leaves, and stems of the sideritis plant, found in the Mediterranean mountain regions of Greece, which is the largest consumer of mountain tea, as well as in Albania, Bulgaria, and Macedonia. Sideritis, commonly known as ironwort, got its name from the Greek word for iron, sideros. In ancient times, the herb was used to heal wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. The sideritis plant grows wild at high elevations over 3,200 feet and flourishes with the sun in partially-arid temperatures. Essentially, this means it doesn’t need much soil, water, or care to survive. Because it is primarily found on the rockiest cliffs of the mountain sides, it is harvested in small sums. For centuries, Greek shepherds in the mountains have brewed sideritis for tea while tending to their sheep, giving it the nickname “Greek Shepherd’s Tea.” What Does Mountain Tea Taste Like?Sideritis is a flowering perennial therefore mountain tea has a floral, earthy, slightly sweet, and mild taste to it. Its taste is known to resemble a blend of mint, chamomile, and citrus. Tsai tou vounou Greek mountain teaDried sideritis, a.k.a. Greek mountain tea.Health Benefits of Mountain TeaMountain tea was used by the ancient Greeks as a healing herbal, medicinal drink. Hippocrates, the Greek philosopher known as the father of modern medicine, hailed its benefits for the immune and respiratory systems. In Greece today, mountain tea is consumed most often in the winter, to combat the common cold and flu. Mountain tea contains high levels of antioxidants, polyphenols, and essential oils, including flavonoids. One study found that thanks to its powerful levels of antioxidants, mountain tea is as potent as green tea at promoting the body’s antioxidant defenses and preventing oxidative stress. There continues to be a number of studies examining the health benefits of mountain tea, which has been shown to have the potential to boost immune response as an anti-inflammatory, aid in digestion, and even prevent osteoporosis.