Discover the energizing effects of Greek Mountain Tea – a popular herbal tea from the mountains of Greece known for its medicinal benefits since ancient times.

My daughters and I recently had the opportunity to travel to Greece, a land steeped in ancient history and natural beauty. Our journey led us to explore the picturesque villages of Delphi and Arachova, nestled in the rugged mountain cliffs of the Peloponnese region, where I discovered Greek Mountain tea.

As impressive as the archaeological sites in Athens were, they're not the only Ancient Greek wonders. Delphi was once thought to be the center of the world. The Oracle of Delphi was a priestess who sat in the center of the Apollo Temple and gave the ancient Greek leaders advice and prophecy. It's a highly spiritual place with amazing energy. For the Greeks, divinity was closely connected to nature.

Tholos of Delphi in the Sanctuary of Athena

After exploring the Tholos of Delphi and the Temple of Apollo, we visited Arachova. Arachova sits at a 3,000-foot elevation on the southern slope of Mount Parnassus and is a popular ski resort.

During our visit to Arachova, I stumbled upon a delightful discovery - Greek mountain tea, a valuable medicinal plant used for centuries. The village shops had many gourmet food products produced by the local people, and we tasted famous Greek honey, olive oil, and mountain tea.

What Is Greek Mountain Tea?

Greece has dozens of endemic plants with significant medicinal properties and aromatic qualities.

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from: Firebelly Teas Inc.

As we explored the town of Arachova, a friendly elderly Greek shop owner introduced me to Greek mountain tea, known locally as "tsai tou vounou" (mountain tea). The botanical name is "Sideritis scardica." The shop was abundant with local harvests, including many delicious jars of honey. We tasted the most delightful thyme, pine, and lavender honey.

The ancient Greeks have been using mountain tea for centuries, and it holds a special place in their culture and traditions. Greeks believe in its numerous health benefits and often serve it as an herbal remedy for various ailments. The tea is made from the Sideritis plant's dried flowers, leaves, and stems, native to the high elevations of the Greek mountains.

In Greek, "Sideritis" is translated as "he who is made of iron." The Greek word for iron is "sidero" in English. The Sideritis genus, also known as ironwort or shepherd’s tea, is native to the rocky terrain of Greece’s mountains.

There are three species: Sideritis lanata (hairy ironwort), Sideritis montana (mountain ironwort), and Sideritis romana (simplebeak ironwort). Many Sideritis cultivars are found in the Mediterranean, Iberian Peninsula, and Balkans. (source)

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
Sideritis theezans Boiss & Heldr - found in Peloponnese
Sideritis raiseri Boiss & Heldr
Sideritis euboea Heldr - found on the island of Euboea
Sideritis syriaca L., Sideritis cretica Boiss, Sideritis boissieri Magn. - found in Crete and collectively known as Malotira

What Does Greek Mountain Tea Taste Like?

Good mountain tea is handcrafted and harvested from the mountains of Greece. The soothing flavors are a harmonious fusion of earthy sage and zesty citrus notes, creating an exceptional herbal tea. Some varietals have little hairlike fuzz on the stems and silvery leaves.

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Health Benefits of Greek Mountain Tea

Greek Mountain tea has been used as a remedy by the Greeks for thousands of years to alleviate common cold symptoms, soothe sore throats, and relieve gastrointestinal disorders. It is also considered an excellent anti-inflammatory agent with high levels of antioxidants. Many locals believe the medicinal properties of regular tea drinking can boost the immune system, improve digestion, and promote overall well-being. (source)

By establishing the connection between body, soul, and environment, ancient Greek philosophy and medicine laid the foundations for modern healthcare concepts. Scientists have proven that a Greek mountain tea infusion acts as a tonic without causing restlessness, helps digestion, softens a cough, and does marvelous things against colds. (source)

Scientific studies support these healing properties:

Greek Mountain Tea is a naturally caffeine-free herbal infusion.
Supports digestion and reduces inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. (source)
Boosts immunity and overall health. (source)
It may lower blood pressure by relaxing blood vessels. (source)
Reduces anxiety. (source)
Improves sleep quality due to its calming effect. (source)

Greek Mountain Tea closeup — Greek Mountain Tea (Sideritis)

The tiny yellow flowers of the Sideritis plant contain large amounts of essential oils and polyphenols. The intense, heady aroma of freshly-cut mountain tea is said to evoke a sense of euphoria.

Wild bees dive deep into the yellow blossoms to suck their stimulating nectar. Beekeeping and honey cultivation is another practice of ancient Greece that thrives in modern Greece today. The Greek philosopher Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, recommended honey to all his patients.

As reported in Planta Medica, science supports the ancient claims that the ironwort (Greek Tea) oils prevent osteoporosis and improve digestion. Its antioxidant properties may aid in preventing cancer. (source)

I developed a fondness for Greek mountain tea during my short stay in Greece. The experience of enjoying this traditional beverage amidst the breathtaking landscapes of Greece was genuinely unforgettable. Greek mountain tea is a delightful refreshment and a cherished connection to Greece's rich cultural heritage and its people's wisdom.

Where to Buy Greek Mountain Tea

Since I can't be in Greece every day, I discovered an authentic Greek tea company in the United States, Klio Tea. I'm enjoying their Greek Mountain tea from Mount Orthys. Klio Tea imports rare Greek honey, olive oils, and medicinal mountain teas sold as loose leaf tea, which I doubt I would ever find in any grocery stores.

For those unfamiliar, this tea has a sage-citrusy taste, as I mentioned. I prefer mine with a bit of honey. With more than 180 nutrients, honey is a food of high nutritional value. It's lovely any time of day but particularly beneficial if you have a sore throat or upper respiratory problems from one of the many common colds.

I find the mountain tea with honey very relaxing and have quickly incorporated it into my evening routine. Why not add Greek honey and mountain tea to your pantry?

How to Make Greek Mountain Tea

The shop owner in Arachova instructed me to use only the flower buds to make the mountain tea. The tiny yellow flowers contain most of the medicinal benefits.

However, the traditional way of buying and making Greek mountain tea is to purchase and infuse the entire cutting of the dried plant, including the flower buds, leaves and stems, which is how I bought the tea.

The traditional recipe for preparing Greek mountain tea.

Recipe