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Sideritis syriaca - L.

Author	L.	Botanical references	50, 200
Family	Labiatae	Genus	Sideritis
Synonyms	Sideritis roeseri - Boiss.&Heldr.
Known Hazards	None known
Range	S. Europe - E. Mediterranean in Crete.
Habitat	Mountain rocks[50].
Edibility Rating	1 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	0 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 0.4m.

The plant prefers light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Uses: Tea.

An aromatic herbal tea is made from the plant[200].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a perfectly drained gritty humus-rich soil, preferably slightly alkaline, in full sun[200]. Once established, this is a very drought-tolerant plant, it grows well in a hot dry position[200]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country. It tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c but is intolerant of winter cold if this is accompanied by wet conditions[200]. The leaves and flowering tops are sold for tea in local markets[46].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Division in spring[200].

Links

References

[46] Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.

[50] ? Flora Europaea Cambridge University Press 1964
An immense work in 6 volumes (including the index). The standard reference flora for europe, it is very terse though and with very little extra information. Not for the casual reader.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Sideritis syriaca

Mauro Cagiotti Tue Jan 17 2006

medicinal plant used in Albania as tonic, expectorant,diuretic and as relaxing; all the plant is used except the root.

Sideritis syriaca

Yvonne Wed Jun 7 2006

This is a very useful plant. Recent studies indicate that there is reliable evidence that this tea, the Greeks call it mountain tea has an active effect against osteoporosis. Grigorios Skaradavos, President of Greek Society for the study of bone metabolism said that a research team at Athens university was currently engaged in research to discover how this is possible. A report about this appeared in the Kathimerini newspaper some time ago and now in the May-June Vol V, No 24 edition of Business Partners website www.amcham.gr

www.amcham.gr

Sideritis syriaca

Antonio Sun Oct 8 2006

Honey from this plant is produced and sold in Italy -certainly not cheap- and I suspect it's a fad for nature and nouvelle cuisine freaks. For more info google: miele sideritis syriaca

Sideritis syriaca

Sun Nov 11 2007

Sideritis syriaca - is an albanian mountain tea. Albanian people have been using it as a tonic for many years.

Sideritis syriaca

Sat Jan 31 2009

is it safe for pregnant women?

Sideritis syriaca

deme gold Mon Mar 9 2009

Hi , i was just wondering ...is greek mountain tea safe to take during pregnancy? and if so how many cups a day .... your help on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Thanking you in advance Deme.

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