Cistus Incanus tea is known for helping the body deal with retro-viruses and ward off mosquitoes and ticks. It is extremely effective for Lymes Disease and other chronic conditions.
What Is Cistus Incanus?
Cistus incanus is an evergreen dwarf shrub herb in the family Cistaceae. It’s native to the arid Mediterranean region. The plant reaches 1-3 feet in height. The grey-green leaves are ovate-lanceolate to elliptic, measuring 1/2 inch to 1 inch long. The branches and sometimes the leaves are hairy and sticky. The flowers have five petals, are pink to purple, and bloom for only one day.
Plants growing in 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 incanus is a source of polyphenols, proanthocyanidins, bioflavonoids, catechins, gallic acid, rutin, and other beneficial bioactive compounds. You can drink it as a loose tea.
Traditional Uses
The 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. Cistus was used in ancient Greece as a wound healer and a beauty product. In Moroccan traditional medicine, Cistus tea has long been used to maintain a healthy mouth and throat. In traditional herbal medicine, the leaves of Cistus have been used to treat skin and inflammatory diseases.
Therapeutic Uses
Recent scientific research has confirmed the validity of this traditional herbal knowledge. Studies have shown that Cistus leaf extracts have powerful antibacterial, antiviral, and biofilm-breaking qualities. Cistus has shown anti-fungal activity against Candida albicans, Candida krusei, Candida glabrata, and Aspergillus fumigatus.
Drink Cistus tea daily (about 2 cups a day) for good health. 6 cups a day are recommended for certain conditions like lymes, lupus, RA, and retro-viruses. Cistus incanus herb is rich in bioflavonoids and polyphenols. Tea made from this herb may ameliorate cold and flu symptoms. In Europe, Cistus is widely used to fight germs, viruses, and fungi. It’s used externally to cleanse the skin and ameliorate eczema, acne, and psoriasis. You can create your own herbal version of a powerful antidandruff shampoo by using a batch of tea to wash your hair.
Cistus also works well for oral cavity hygiene. You can use it as a mouthwash. Its biofilm-busting activities significantly reduce oral bacteria and leave your mouth feeling clean. Interestingly, recent studies suggest that Cistus extract targets viral envelope proteins, preventing the primary attachment of the virus to host cells. This reduces the virulence and reproductive ability of the pathogen. Cistus may have even more verified uses in the future.