Teucrium heterophyllum

Aromatic shrubs of Teucrium heterophyllum are common in rocky scrub of the Canary Islands and Madeira. In the south of Gran Canaria, older inhabitants recall drying the young leaves of the Canary Island germander and using a handful in a mug of hot water as a digestive tea after meals (D’Ambrosio, 2002). Pastoralists of Tenerife collected a small handful of the leaves for the same purpose and also to ease colic in children, while in the hills of northern Tenerife some families stored the air‑dried herb for coughs, steeping two to three pinches in boiled water for ten minutes (Pérez de Paz and Mederos, 2012). Among Madeiran communities, a similar leaf infusion was taken to relieve flatulence and mild stomach discomfort (Brito et al., 2006). These uses are reported as modest household remedies; serious illnesses are not mentioned, and the practice was considered traditional rather than curative of serious disease.

Preparation is straightforward. To make a mild tea, use 1–2 g of fresh leaves, bruised, and pour 200 ml of freshly boiled water over them. Cover and steep for 5–8 minutes, then strain and drink one cup after meals as needed (D’Ambrosio, 2002; Pérez de Paz and Mederos, 2012). Because some Teucrium species contain hepatotoxic unsaturated pyrrolizidine alkaloids, pregnant and nursing people and anyone with liver disease should avoid this tea, and daily intake should be modest (Brito et al., 2006).

Chemical studies on Teucrium heterophyllum confirm well‑known constituents of the genus. The leaves and flowering tops yield high levels of diterpenes (teucrin and teucrinol), flavone glycosides, and essential oil dominated by sesquiterpenes such as caryophyllene, with variable presence of germacrene D; these are the only compounds that are repeatedly reported for the species and are consistent with the known bitter/aromatic profile used in traditional infusions (Brito et al., 2006; Greche et al., 1998).

The plant is still gathered locally and used as a household bitter in the Canary Islands, where it can be bought from some herbal stalls, but modern research focuses more on screening Teucrium diterpenes for pharmacological activity than on clinical trials, and standard limits for daily intake remain conservative (Greche et al., 1998).

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