Cistus incanus Herbal Remedies

Cistus tea drinkers may suffer fewer mosquito and tick bites and help their bodies deal with retroviruses.

The Cistus incanus plant isn’t all that well known in the United States, but this Mediterranean herb was the European Plant of the Year in 1999. Over the years, it has made headlines for its many health benefits. One benefit is that that regular Cistus tea drinkers may suffer fewer mosquito bites and tick bites. A bonus benefit: drinking the tea may also help the body deal with retro-viruses.

Plants growing in arid Mediterranean ecosystems endure multiple stressors and harsh conditions, such as drought, high sun exposure, and high temperatures. Mediterranean plants produce high levels of polyphenols to protect them against these stressors. Cistus incanus has the highest polyphenol content of any plant in Europe.

Cistus has also developed a symbiotic relationship with a root fungi. The fungi helps the root system absorb water and minerals from the soil, allowing the host plant to thrive on particularly poor soils.

Cistus incanus is a source of polyphenols, proanthocyanadins, bioflavonoids, catechins, gallic acid, rutin, and other beneficial bioactive compounds. Best of all, it makes a pleasant tasting loose tea with a mild, floral flavor. It’s a great alternative to chemical-laden DEET.

Traditional and Scientific Uses of Cistus Incanus

Traditional use of Cistus reaches back millennia. The Book of Genesis references the resin of Cistus plants. Ancient traditional uses include treating colds, coughs, menstrual problems, and rheumatism. It was used in ancient Greece as a wound healer and as a beauty product. In Moroccan traditional medicine, the tea has long been used to maintain a healthy mouth and throat. In traditional herbal medicine, its leaves have also been used to treat skin and inflammatory diseases.

Recent scientific studies have shown that Cistus leaf extracts have powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and biofilm-breaking qualities. The plant has shown anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, and Aspergillus fumigatus.

In Europe, Cistus is widely used to fight germs, viruses, and fungi. It’s used externally to cleanse the skin and ameliorates eczema, acne, and psoriasis. You can create your very own powerful antidandruff shampoo by washing your hair with a large batch of the herbal tea. The tea also works well for oral cavity hygiene and can be used as a mouthwash. Its biofilm-busting activities significantly reduce oral bacteria and leave your mouth feeling clean.

Drink Your Healthy Herbal Tea!

If you’re looking for an alternative to DEET, Cistus incanus tea may offer the all-natural protection from mosquitoes and ticks that you’re seeking. Start drinking the tea daily (about 2 cups a day) for at least a week in order to realize its insect-repellent effects. In addition, the herb is rich in bioflavonoids and polyphenols. Tea made from this herb ameliorates cold and flu symptoms in about 2 days after drinking the first cup.

It can be difficult to identify a reputable, reliable source of Cistus tea. Our tea is cut and prepared to ensure the highest quality and most available polyphenol content. Our Cistus tea offers more phytonutrients and potency than the whole leaf cuts many other suppliers sell. Best of all, we currently have the tea in stock. (We’ve also included Cistus extract as one of 6 super-botanicals in our proprietary Antivirus Immune Support Kit.)

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