Cistus

Cistus, scientific name Cistus incanus, is a plant belonging to the Cistaceae family and is characterized by leaves with a rough surface similar to sage and beautiful violet pink flowers. This plant was well known and appreciated for its healthful properties since ancient times. However, over the years it has been forgotten and then, finally, discovered again also thanks to the numerous scientific researches about its incredible benefits. The cistus is in fact rich of polyphenols, powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substances that counteract free radicals and aging processes in our body. This plant helps to support the immune system and fight infections. According to scientific research, in fact, a treatment with cistus extract has been able to bring benefit in case of infections of the upper airways and to decrease the values of the C reactive protein, an indicator of inflammation in progress (Kalus et al, Antiviral res , 2009). This decrease of the inflammation marker means also a decrease in inflammation. Moreover, thanks to the high content in polyphenols, cistus tea counteracts the formation of dental caries by preventing the bacteria of the oral cavity from attaching the enamel of the teeth (Wittpahl et al, Planta Med, 2015). In addition to this, cistus is also antimicrobial (Bouanama et al, Therapie, 1999) and is considered to have the capacity to fight skin infections caused by yeasts. The antiviral action of the cistus is also documented, in particular a scientific research published in 2016 in the journal Scientific Reports by a group of German scientists (Rebensburg et al, Sci Rep, 2016) has shown, in vitro, that extracts of cistus are able to inhibit the HIV virus thus opening the way to future applications to fight this fearful disease. As for the intake it is possible to find the cistus, in herbalist’s or chemist’s shops, even online, in the form of a dried plant, in this case the leaves are used to prepare healthy herbal teas. Bring to the boil a liter of water, then remove from the heat and add 2-3 teaspoons of plant, leave it in infusion for about ten minutes then filter and drink. As an alternative it is possible to find the cistus also in the form of a supplement prepared from the dry cistus extract.