Sideritis

Sideritis
Sideritis syriaca (Ironwort)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Lamiales
Family:	Lamiaceae
Genus:	Sideritis L.
Species
Sideritis barbellata Mend.-Heu. Sideritis candicans Aiton Sideritis cypria Post Sideritis hyssopifolia L. Sideritis lanata L. Sideritis leucantha Cav. Sideritis montana L. Sideritis romana L.

Sideritis, also known as ironwort, mountain tea and shepherd's tea, is a genus of flowering plants well known for their use as herbal medicine, commonly as an herbal tea. They are abundant in Mediterranean regions, the Balkans, the Iberian Peninsula and Macaronesia, but can also be found in Central Europe and temperate Asia.

History and etymology

In Greek "Sideritis" can be literally translated as "he who is made of or has iron". The plant was known to ancient Greeks, specifically Pedanius Dioscorides and Theophrastus. Although Dioscorides describes three species, only one (probably S. scordioides) is thought to belong to Sideritis. In ancient times Sideritis was a generic reference for plants capable of healing wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. However others hold that the name stems from the shape of the sepal which resembles the tip of a spear.

Taxonomy

Sideritis scardica

In 2002, molecular phylogenetic research found Sideritis and five other genera to be embedded in Stachys. Further studies will be needed before Stachys, Sideritis, and their closest relatives can be revised.

Some schemes recognize intermediate subphyla, infraphyla, subclasses and superorders and categorize up to 319 distinct species, subspecies, ecotypes, forms or cultivars, including:

• Sideritis barbellata Mend.-Heu. - endemic to the Canary Island of La Palma.
• Sideritis candicans Aiton - endemic to Madeira, Bugio Island and Porto Santo Island.
• Sideritis cypria Post - endemic to Cyprus
• Sideritis hyssopifolia L. - mountains of the Iberian Peninsula
• Sideritis scardica
• Sideritis purpurea Talb. - found in western Greece, the Ionian Islands and Crete
• Sideritis remota Urv.
• Sideritis scardica Gris. - also known as Olympus tea afters its native area of Mount Olympus
• Sideritis theezans Boiss & Heldr - found in the Peloponnese
• Sideritis raiseri Boiss & Heldr
• Sideritis euboea Heldr - found in the island of Euboea
• Sideritis syriaca L., S. cretica Boiss, S. boissieri Magn. - found in Crete and collectively known as Malotira (Μαλοτήρα)

Botanists have encountered difficulties in naming and classifying the varieties of Sideritis due to their subtle differences. One particularly confusing case is that of S. angustifolia Lagasca and S. tragoriganum Lagasca.

Botany

The genus is composed of short (8–50 cm), xerophytic subshrubs or herbs, annual or perennial, that grow at high altitudes (usually over 1000 m) with little or no soil, often on the surface of rocks.

It is pubescent, either villous or coated by a fine, woolly layer of microscopic intertwined hairs.

Sideritis inflorescence is verticillaster.

Gallery

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Uses and benefits

Ironwort herbal tea.

Very popular in Greece, Albania, Kosovo, Bulgaria and Macedonia, the plant is used as an herb either for the preparation of herbal teas, or for its aromatic properties in local cuisines. The herbal tea is commonly prepared by decoction, by boiling the stems, leaves and flowers in a pot of water, then often serving with honey and lemon.

Ironwort has been traditionally used to aid digestion, strengthen the immune system and suppress common cold, the flu and other viruses, allergies and shortness of breath, sinus congestion, even pain and mild anxiety.

Scientists have suggested that the popular pronouncement of ironwort as panacea may have some basis in fact. Studies indicate a positive effect on many common ailments. Ironwort is known scientifically to be anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant. Active elements include diterpenoid and flavonoids. Significant research has been done on ironwort confirming its popular use to prevent colds, flu, and allergies. Most of this research has taken place in universities in the Netherlands and in Greece, Turkey, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Albania, where the plant is indigenous.

Cultivation

Sideritis raeseri is the most commonly cultivated Sideritis in Greece, Albania and Macedonia, where advanced hybrids also exist. Planting is recommended during two periods (October–November or February–March in the Northern hemisphere) and gathering in July, when in full bloom. The plant is typically dried before usage.

External links

Photos:

• S. romana
• S. lanata