Sideritis syriaca
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID643fecdf6d644288017203 |
| Scientific name | Sideritis syriaca |
| Authority | L. |
| First published in | Sp. Pl. : 574 (1753) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
Among the Greek island communities the dried aerial parts are steeped as a mild infusion for colds, sore throats and mild fevers (Papadopoulos, 2018). In the central Anatolian villages of Turkey the same material is boiled as a short decoction for fever, a use noted by Kotan et al., 2014. In the Lebanese mountain villages fresh leaves are soaked in cold water to make a cold infusion taken as a digestive tonic, recorded by Al‑Mousawi et al., 2015. All three preparations rely on the aerial parts of the plant and are intended for short‑term internal use.
A simple, widely used preparation is a mild tea. Place 2–3 g of dried aerial parts (roughly a small handful of leaves and flowers) in a teapot, pour 200 mL of just‑boiled water, cover and steep for 5–10 minutes. The infusion can be sweetened with honey and drunk while warm. The dose commonly advised in folk practice is one cup taken 2–3 times a day for no more than five consecutive days. Because safety data are limited, pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 12 years should avoid regular use, and anyone with a known allergy to Lamiaceae should discontinue if irritation occurs.
Phytochemical work on Sideritis syriaca has identified several classes of compounds that plausibly support its traditional actions. The essential oil, described by Kotan et al., 2014, contains α‑pinene, 1,8‑cineole, camphor and borneol, constituents known for mild antimicrobial and decongestant activity. In parallel, phenolic acids such as rosmarinic and caffeic acids, together with flavonoids including apigenin, luteolin and quercetin derivatives, have been quantified in aqueous extracts (Mert & Toprak, 2015). These antioxidants and anti‑inflammatory agents are consistent with the plant’s reputation for soothing respiratory and digestive irritation.
Modern laboratory studies continue to confirm antioxidant and antimicrobial effects of extracts from S. syriaca, and the herb is now sold in commercial “Sideritis tea” blends in Greece and Turkey, where it remains a staple in many households (Kotan et al., 2014; Katsiotis & Angeli, 2017). Ongoing ethnobotanical field work suggests the traditional uses described above are still practiced in remote mountain villages, ensuring that the heritage of Sideritis syriaca persists alongside scientific interest.
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
Sideritis syriaca is commercially supplied as a dried herbal ingredient for brewing “Greek mountain tea.” Its flavor profile—earthy, herbaceous, and mildly resinous—derives from essential oils and diterpenes. Products include bulk dried aerial parts and branded loose-leaf or tea bags, used as a non-medicinal beverage and as a flavoring in confectionery and baked goods.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Navicularia syriaca | (L.) Soják | Cas. Nár. Mus., Odd. Prír. 148: 79 (1979 publ. 1980) |
| Sideritis cretica | Boiss. | Fl. Orient. 4: 708 (1879) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | ironwort |
| Arabic | فزر سوري |
| Bulgarian | кримски миризлив бурен |
| German | griechischer bergtee |
| German | malotira |
| German | syrisches gliedkraut |
| French | thé de crimée |
| French | tisane strandzhan |
| Italian | stregonia siciliana |
Subspecies (abbr. subsp./ssp.) Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Sideritis syriaca subsp. nusairiensis | (Post) Hub.-Mor. | Bauhinia 6: 291 (1978) |
| Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca | Unknown |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!| Sow seeds at 20°C, expecting germination within 3 months without further temperature treatment. |
| Requires Scarification: Scarification involves physically breaking, scratching, or softening the seed coat to allow water absorption and germination to occur. This can be done by nicking the seed coat with a knife or rubbing the seeds between sheets of sandpaper. |
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Asia-temperate click to expand
-
Western Asia
- Lebanon-Syria
- Turkey
-
Western Asia
-
Europe click to expand
-
Southeastern Europe
- Kriti
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Southeastern Europe
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000310485 |
| Tropicos | 17600670 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:459111-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-191680 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 290040 |
| Observations.org | 146857 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 155265 |
| IPNI | 459111-1 |
| iNaturalist | 358226 |
| GBIF | 7307364 |
| Freebase | /m/011bdmyv |
| EPPO | SIESY |
| USDA GRIN | 411422 |
| Wikipedia | Sideritis_syriaca |
| CMAUP | NPO1723 |
| PFAF | Sideritis syriaca |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
Add a new one!
Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Benzenoids / Benzene and substituted derivatives | |||||
| (S)-Mandelonitrile | 439767 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)O | 133.15 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Branched fatty acids / Methyl-branched fatty acids | |||||
| (R)-2-Methylbutanoic acid | 6950479 | Click to see CCC(C)C(=O)O | 102.13 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Eicosanoic Acid | 10467 | Click to see | 312.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Myristic Acid | 11005 | Click to see | 228.37 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Palmitoleic Acid | 445638 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 254.41 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stearic Acid | 5281 | Click to see | 284.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty alcohols | |||||
| 2-Hexen-1-OL | 5318042 | Click to see CCCC=CCO | 100.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Lineolic acids and derivatives | |||||
| Linoleic Acid | 5280450 | Click to see CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 280.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linolenic Acid | 5280934 | Click to see | 278.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids / Kaurane diterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,4S,5S,9R,10S,13R)-5-(hydroxymethyl)-5,9,14-trimethyltetracyclo[11.2.1.01,10.04,9]hexadec-14-en-2-one | 163195101 | Click to see | 302.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(83)80158-7 |
| Kaurane-7,18-diol, 15,16-epoxy-, (4beta,7alpha,15alpha)- | 163092060 | Click to see | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(83)83060-X |
| Siderone | 14681633 | Click to see CC1=CC23CC1CCC2C4(CCCC(C4CC3=O)(C)CO)C | 302.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(83)80158-7 |
| Ucriol | 12315549 | Click to see CC1(CCCC2(C1CC(C34C2CCC(C3)C5(C4O5)C)O)C)CO | 320.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(83)83060-X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Acyclic monoterpenoids | |||||
| Citral | 638011 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Linalool, (-)- | 443158 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(C)(C=C)O)C | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Aromatic monoterpenoids | |||||
| P-Cymene | 7463 | Click to see | 134.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Monoterpenoids / Menthane monoterpenoids | |||||
| (+)-alpha-Terpineol | 442501 | Click to see | 154.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Terpinolene | 11463 | Click to see | 136.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| I2-Ionone | 638014 | Click to see | 192.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Vomifoliol, (+)- | 5280462 | Click to see | 224.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Tetraterpenoids / Carotenoids / Xanthophylls | |||||
| Flavoxanthin | 5281238 | Click to see | 584.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rubixanthin | 5281252 | Click to see | 552.90 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| alpha-Amyrin acetate | 92842 | Click to see | 468.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Estrane steroids / Estrogens and derivatives | |||||
| (8S,9S,13S,14R)-3-hydroxy-13-methyl-7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16-octahydro-6H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-17-one | 670995 | Click to see CC12CCC3C(C1CCC2=O)CCC4=C3C=CC(=C4)O | 270.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Steroid lactones / Withanolides and derivatives | |||||
| [17-[1-(4,5-Dimethyl-6-oxo-2,3-dihydropyran-2-yl)ethyl]-10-methyl-3-oxo-6,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-decahydrocyclopenta[a]phenanthren-13-yl]methyl acetate | 14102732 | Click to see | 480.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| Poriferasterol | 5281330 | Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 412.70 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Stigmasteryl-beta-d-glucopyranoside | 12895774 | Click to see CCC(C=CC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)CO)O)O)O)C)C)C(C)C | 574.80 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic acids and derivatives / Carboxylic acids and derivatives / Tricarboxylic acids and derivatives | |||||
| 2-(Carboxymethyl)-2-hydroxybutanedioate;hydron | 88113319 | Click to see [H+].[H+].C(C(=O)O)C(CC(=O)[O-])(C(=O)[O-])O | 192.12 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glucuronides / O-glucuronides | |||||
| beta-D-GlcpA-(1->6)-beta-D-Galp | 70680285 | Click to see C(C1C(C(C(C(O1)O)O)O)O)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)C(=O)O)O)O)O | 356.28 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Glycosyl compounds / Cyanogenic glycosides | |||||
| Amygdalin | 656516 | Click to see | 457.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Neoamygdalin | 441462 | Click to see | 457.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Prunasin | 119033 | Click to see C1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C#N)OC2C(C(C(C(O2)CO)O)O)O | 295.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbonyl compounds / Aldehydes / Medium-chain aldehydes | |||||
| 2-Nonenal | 5283335 | Click to see CCCCCCC=CC=O | 140.22 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| 2,4-Decadienal | 5283349 | Click to see | 152.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Hexanal | 6184 | Click to see | 100.16 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| trans-2-Hexenal | 5281168 | Click to see | 98.14 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Lactones / Gamma butyrolactones | |||||
| (5S)-5-butyloxolan-2-one | 7057972 | Click to see CCCCC1CCC(=O)O1 | 142.20 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (R)-gamma-Decalactone | 183870 | Click to see | 170.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Gamma-dodecalactone, (R)- | 10888889 | Click to see | 198.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Organoheterocyclic compounds / Tetrahydrofurans | |||||
| Linalool oxide, cis- | 6428573 | Click to see | 170.25 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Biflavonoids and polyflavonoids | |||||
| (1S,5R,6S,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 5317050 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,5S,6R,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 73353883 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| (1S,5S,6S,13R,21S)-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaene-6,9,17,19,21-pentol | 5317051 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| [(1S,5R,6R,13R,21S)-6,9,17,19-tetrahydroxy-5,13-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4,12,14-trioxapentacyclo[11.7.1.02,11.03,8.015,20]henicosa-2(11),3(8),9,15,17,19-hexaen-21-yl] 4-hydroxybenzoate | 10723070 | Click to see | 664.60 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Mahuannin A | 5317052 | Click to see | 544.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones | |||||
| [4-[5,8-Dihydroxy-7-[3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoyloxy]-4-oxochromen-2-yl]phenyl] 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 162868104 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC(=O)OC2=CC=C(C=C2)C3=CC(=O)C4=C(O3)C(=C(C=C4O)OC(=O)C=CC5=CC=C(C=C5)O)O)O | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| [5,8-dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl] (E)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 101523766 | Click to see | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| [5,8-Dihydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl] 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 163057819 | Click to see C1=CC(=CC=C1C=CC(=O)OC2=C(C3=C(C(=C2)O)C(=O)C=C(O3)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O | 432.40 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavones / Flavonols | |||||
| Kaempferol | 5280863 | Click to see | 286.24 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Quercetin | 5280343 | Click to see | 302.23 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-3-O-glycosides | |||||
| Isoquercetin | 5280804 | Click to see | 464.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Rutin | 5280805 | Click to see | 610.50 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Flavonoid glycosides / Flavonoid O-glycosides / Flavonoid-7-O-glycosides | |||||
| [3,4,5-Trihydroxy-6-[5-hydroxy-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methyl 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)prop-2-enoate | 162916367 | Click to see | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00634-6 |
| [6-[2-[5,8-Dihydroxy-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)-4-oxochromen-7-yl]oxy-4,5-dihydroxy-6-(hydroxymethyl)oxan-3-yl]oxy-3,4,5-trihydroxyoxan-2-yl]methyl acetate | 73802681 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(C4=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)C=C(O4)C5=CC=C(C=C5)OC)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 666.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| 7-[[2-O-(6-O-Acetyl-I(2)-D-glucopyranosyl)-I(2)-D-glucopyranosyl]oxy]-5,8-dihydroxy-2-(3-hydroxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one | 101915840 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(C4=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)C=C(O4)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)OC)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 682.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00634-6 |
| 7-[2-O-(6-O-Acetyl-beta-D-allopyranosyl)-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy]-5,8-dihydroxy-4'-methoxyflavone | 21576582 | Click to see | 666.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.FOODCHEM.2010.05.076 |
| 8-Hydroxyhesperetin 7-[6-acetylglucosyl-(1->2)-glucoside] | 74977927 | Click to see CC(=O)OCC1C(C(C(C(O1)OC2C(C(C(OC2OC3=C(C4=C(C(=C3)O)C(=O)C=C(O4)C5=CC(=C(C=C5)OC)O)O)CO)O)O)O)O)O | 682.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00634-6 |
| Apigenin-7-O-(6''-O-4-coumaroyl)-beta-glucopyranoside | 6439941 | Click to see | 578.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/0031-9422(94)00634-6 |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |