John Myers
Strengthens the immune system, kills germs, is good for the skin and for weight loss: many effects are ascribed to cistus tea. It should even protect against the corona virus. From a scientific point of view, these statements are untenable. Nevertheless, one or two cups of tea can do you good.
Cure or hype? cistus tea
Many people have always sworn by the beneficial effects of herbal tea – and some effects have actually been proven. Sage tea can relieve sore throats and fennel tea flatulence. Teas with a corresponding proof of effectiveness are marked as medicinal teas. The healing effects have been tested and approved by the Federal Office for Drugs and Medical Devices. The situation is different with normal teas that come onto the market as food. They may not be advertised with health-related claims. Cistus tea belongs to this category. Promises of salvation of any kind are therefore not permitted with regard to the cistus leaves, which come from a medicinal plant that has been used in the Mediterranean region for thousands of years.
Proven effects and side effects
If you are not hoping for the wondrous effects of Cistus incanus, as it is called botanically, you can simply use the tea as a stimulant. In principle, the heat is already good and the secondary plant substances contained have developed an antiviral effect, at least in animal and cell experiments. The situation here is similar to that of a hot lemon for a cold: the drink will not cure the infection, but it can alleviate the symptoms. However, you should be aware that cistus tea can have side effects. For example, cistus leaves trigger allergic reactions or stomach problems in some people. The effect of cistus tea during pregnancy has not yet been investigated.
Black or Green Tea: Which is Healthier?
Green tea and black tea come from the same plant. So the botanical origin says nothing about which of the two types of tea is healthier. Due to their caffeine content, both have a stimulating effect. Unlike black tea, green tea also contains the amino acid L-theanine. It can reduce the stimulating effect of caffeine and have a relaxing and calming effect. Green tea is also one of the dehydrating teas.
Unsweetened and drunk without milk, both teas are calorie-free. However, they are no longer prepared as bubble tea, since they are mixed with sweetened condensed milk and fruit juice. Sweetness in the form of sugar is also added to the fermented tea drink Kombucha. In return, they provide significant amounts of fluoride and polyphenols, a subset of what are known as phytochemicals. For the production of green tea, however, the leaves of the tea plant are only dried, while for black tea they are additionally mechanically crushed and fermented in a humid environment until their color changes. Some of the polyphenols contained in tea, which have a positive effect on health, are lost through the fermentation process. In this respect, the less processed green tea could be considered healthier.
Among other things, the secondary plant substances are said to have a preventive effect on cardiovascular diseases. They are also said to have an anti-inflammatory effect and stimulate the killer cells of the immune system. Certain compounds from the group of polyphenols could possibly even have a cancer-preventing effect. The fluoride contained in both teas also prevents tooth decay and thus contributes to dental health. Anyone who enjoys sweets at tea time, however, negates this effect.
In the case of mild stomach and intestinal problems, on the other hand, the tannins contained in black tea can have a positive effect. The tea can thus be used as a home remedy for minor complaints in this area. However, a doctor should be consulted if gastrointestinal problems persist.
People with low iron levels should not drink green or black tea immediately with meals. The iron contained in the food can form a poorly soluble compound with the polyphenols in the tea. As a result, the body can no longer utilize the iron as well. Also read our article on the effects of matcha tea, a ground green tea.
What is the EU ban on cistus tea about?
In fact, according to the Novel Food Regulation, only the herb Cistus incanus L. Pandalis is permitted as a food in the EU. However, the question of whether the leaves of other varieties of cistus have not been used for many years and are therefore not a new type of food remains unanswered. A dispute between the providers and the approval authority is still smoldering here. Meanwhile, cistus tea is often sold with the statement “Due to EU directives, it is no longer allowed to offer Cistus incanus as a foodstuff”, leaving the choice to the consumer. If that’s too tricky for you, you can of course do something else for your well-being and try our immune-boosting recipes, for example.
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