John Myers
Prevention through dietary supplements – that is what some suppliers of cistus products suggest. What is important?
The essentials in brief:
- The purple-flowered cistus is a traditional medicinal plant in the Mediterranean region. The use in food supplements is permitted, as a tea a novel food approval is probably required according to the current status.
- In terms of their ingredients, food supplements cannot be compared with standardized medicinal plant extracts in medicines.
- Claims related to diseases, a strengthening of the immune system or special antioxidant abilities are prohibited for cistus in dietary supplements.
What is behind the advertising of cistus in dietary supplements?
Rockrose (Cistus) dietary supplements are often offered with the promise of strengthening the immune system “strong defences”.
However , there are no approved advertising statements for this. Corresponding statements by some providers – especially with a view to the corona pandemic – are criticized by the portal FoodClarity and, if necessary, warned by the consumer advice centers. Due to the lack of advertising opportunities, such products often contain other micronutrients that the immune system needs for normal function, such as vitamin C , selenium or zinc. The advertising statement then does not refer to the cistus, but to the added vitamin or mineral .
Again and again, however, there is talk of a “germ-killing effect against bacteria, fungi and viruses” (often also with reference to the new type of corona virus (SARS-CoV-2) ), successes with acne, neurodermatitis or tonsillitis are praised and rockrose as a effective caries, periodontosis and cold prophylaxis. Even if there are (partial) studies on this, e.g. on cell cultures (in vitro) with a view to Covid 19, none of these statements apply to dietary supplements . Because these serve neither to heal nor to alleviate diseases, both are the task of medicines. Therefore, dietary supplements are not tested for their possible effectiveness. There is no evidence of an antiviral mode of action of the food / dietary supplement rockrose.
The European Food Safety Authority EFSA has evaluated the study situation on the only health claim (antioxidant properties) for Cistus incanus (Hairy rockrose) that has been applied for so far and classified it as insufficiently proven. Corresponding advertising statements are therefore prohibited due to misleading reasons. Advertisements are nevertheless cryptic, for example with statements such as “with the valuable ingredients of cistus. It is a rich source of polyphenols. These secondary plant substances are known for their antioxidant effect”. It remains unclear what concrete nutritional benefit this should bring to the user.
Digression: Cistus as a herbal medicinal product
The cistus was probably used as a remedy well before the birth of Christ in the Mediterranean region. Traditionally, cistus leaves and cistus herb are used internally for diarrhea and colds, and externally for skin diseases such as neurodermatitis.
As a traditional medicine, Cistus contains a precisely defined dry extract of cistus herb (4-9:1, extraction agent: water). It is contained in lozenges that are used to relieve irritation of the mucous membranes in the mouth and throat (indication). However, since it is a traditional drug, this effect does not have to have been proven with the approval studies prescribed for drugs. The registration is based exclusively on long-term use for the indicated indication.
In cell and animal studies, an antiviral effect of the contained polyphenols could be shown, for example against bird and swine flu viruses. The few human studies are methodologically controversial or do not correspond to the gold standard. In a recently published cell culture study (not in humans), an effect against SARS-Cov-2 viruses was also achieved.
Dried, cut cistus herb (Cistus incanus herba) is also available in pharmacies, e.g. for use as a tea.
What should I watch out for when using cistus products?
Products with cistus extract (Cistus herb extract) – both lozenges and capsules – are offered by various manufacturers as dietary supplements. These must be preparations of Cistus x incanus L. (without a specific variety). It is important to know that extracts from foods, and food supplements are foods, cannot be compared with one another. A manufacturer, for example, has applied to the EU for plant variety protection for the plant it uses ( Cistus x incanus L. Pandalis ) and received it until 2035. A special extract (registered trademark) is based on this variety, which is contained in medicines (see above), as well as in medical products and food supplements.
Quantity information such as “Cistus herb extract 50 mg (equivalent to 32.5 mg polyphenols)” offers a certain comparability between the products due to the specified amount of polyphenols, but since there are no recommended intakes for secondary plant substances, they are not really useful.
To be on the safe side, anyone who is hypersensitive to cistus herb should avoid all types of cistus products. In addition to allergic or hypersensitivity reactions, some people also react with stomach pain and nausea.
Due to the possibly high polyphenol content, drug interactions could occur. To be on the safe side, a time interval of at least one hour is recommended. Tell your doctor about its use.
In the 2020 federal and state list of substances in the category plants and parts of plants, a restriction on the use of Cistus incanus L. in food is recommended (classification in list B of the appendix to the Enrichment Ordinance 1925/2007).
Controversy over the novelty of Cistus tea
According to the Novel Food Catalogue, cistus is considered a novel food in the EU, except in food supplements. This means that rockrose preparations from above-ground parts of the plant may be used in food supplements, but not in other foods unless there is a valid novel food approval. There is one, but only for herbal teas made from the Cistus x incanus L. Pandalis (herb) variety – with the proviso that no more than 3 g of herb (2 cups per day) are used daily.
Since other Cistus species are not included in the Union list of authorized novel foods, they may not be sold unless there is evidence of significant consumption before the cut-off date (15 May 1997) set out in the Novel Food Regulation.
However, there is a very long history of using cistus herb ( Cistus incanus or Cistus creticus ) as a safe food (tea drink) in Crete and Greece. Many providers refer to this. However, this only applies to the purple-flowered Cistus species, not to white-flowered ones.
According to Article 3, Paragraph 2a, Section iv) of the Novel Food Regulation ( Regulation (EU) 2015/2283 ), it is not a novel food if there is a long-term safe use of a plant and only one different variety same plant species is used.
The supervisory authorities – the interpretation of the laws is a matter for the federal states – have slightly different views on this, with the vast majority of respondents tending towards the fact that a novel food approval is fundamentally necessary precisely because there is already a novel food approval for one certain variety exists. Legal certainty for manufacturers and consumers looks different.
Others offer their products as bath tea or scented potpourri to avoid any arguments. In this case, no consumption recommendations may be given. After all, it is not a question of food that must be safe to eat. For the same reason, such products may not be sold as “organic” goods.
What is cistus (Cistus incanus)?
Rock roses are heavily branched, bushy shrubs that mainly grow in the Mediterranean region. There are about 24 different types. The grey-haired cistus (Cistus incanus) and the Cretan cistus (Cistus creticus) are used in food supplements . The stalks and flower stalks of the grey-hairy cistus are densely covered with gray “hairs”. The pink-purple flower resembles a rosehip flower, but is clearly “crumpled”. The small leaves resemble those of the sage plant.
The naturally occurring polyphenols (a group of secondary plant substances ) are considered to be effective ingredients. Red grapes , green tea, pomegranate , chokeberry or ginkgo also contain a high content of various polyphenols . Basically, almost all vegetables and fruits contain polyphenols.
Can Cistus products contain problematic substances?
There is currently no evidence of exposure to problematic substances. If you want to be particularly safe, you can use organic products.
However, an examination of teas from various suppliers (12 of them marked as Cistus incanus) by the University of Vienna in 2021 showed that seven of these alleged Citus incanus teas (also organic goods) actually came from a Cistus species with white flowers . This is problematic in that there is no history of using Cistus species with white flowers (e.g. Cistus salviifolius, C. monspeliensis, C. ladanifer) as a tea, so safe consumption cannot be assumed. Furthermore, it is of course misleading. The extent to which prohibited Cistus varieties are also used in food supplements is unknown, but not improbable. The manufacturer is responsible for the safety of his products. Especially with internet retailers, this is often not available, e.g. through a registered office abroad. So before you order, take a close look at where and from whom you are buying.
