One of the many delights of Greece is
the discovery of its abundance of wild growing edible plants alongside
the wildflowers. Not only is the rocky terrain covered with a thick
layer of mostly low growing green plants, but the profusion of
wildflowers is a shock. Poppies, clumps of wild lavender and a
variety of gold and yellow flowers mixed with delicate purple and
blue ones makes the trip on the bus between the fishing Village
of Perdika, and Aegina town a pleasure.
Amongst all this green and depending on what region
you are in or what island you are on you can usually find something
to pick to eat. Just around the little village of Perdika and below
the lovely promenade around the point one can find in the spring
women poking through the wildflowers and pulling up "horta". Even
in the small walled Pine park tucked at one end of the village I
saw a woman hunting the prized and edible greens generically termed "horta".
But the reason I am posting this article is so
everyone who reads it will try the divine "Greek Mountain Tea" (Tsai
tou vounou) .
Just days after my arrival I came down with a
bug. Weak, feverish and congested I was concerned I might be developing
a case of walking pneumonia. Fortunately, I had brought with me the
last of my Rainbow Light Quercitin C and the Ayurvedic remedy for
respiratory ailments "Sitopiladi". Armed with these and the knowledge
that I could get an RX for an antibiotic, if needed, just by walking
into the local pharmacy--I self medicated. Only a few days before
I had been told about the Greek Mountain Tea during my first meeting
with a
Dutch couple Lizzy and Erik. I had no idea as to its properties or
medicinal value - found it could be bought in lovely looking bundles
for about 1.20 Euro in almost any market and discovered its delicate
flavor especially when lightly laced with Attica honey. Having run
out of the herb teas I had brought with me I drank several cups of
it a day while not feeling well. Within a few days the fever broke
and I realized I was recovered from what could have been a dragged
out nasty bug. Curious, I checked the internet for monographs on
the tea. sure enough, it was exactly the magic bullet for what had
ailed me.
Its latin name is SIDERITIS SYRIACA and its found on rocky slopes
at elevations of around 1000 meters. Its primary use, as it happens,
is for respiratory health maintenance! It is also used as an anti-inflammatory,
in the reduction of fever; aids the immune system and tempers digestion.
It even has properties that lets it compete with the now ever common
anti anxiety pharmaceuticals.
A formal abstract of the study on the tea can
be found if one clicks on reference #2.
One can find the tea in grocery shops, pharmacies,
herb and spice shops, it can be picked fresh and dried at home or
you can drink it in a local cafetaria. Outside Greece it can be
found at specialty shops or online. Bought in Greece in gorgeous
sheaves of long dried stems and sold in cellophane--it makes a perfect
gift to send home or take back on the plane. Its light, inexpensive
and elegant looking. This and a bag of Aegina pistachios and a small
tin of Attica honey and one can create the perfect Christmas packets
or thank you gifts.
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