Cistus albanicus
Botanical Nomenclature | Cistus albanicus |
Common Name | Cistus Albanicus E.F.Warb. Ex Heywood, Cistus Sintenisii |
Taxonomy- Family | Cistaceae |
Distinguishing Features of the Plant | Cistus albanicus is an evergreen shrub growing up to 1m, with thick, oval, gray-green, pubescent leaves and pink-purple or white flowers, which usually have a yellow center. The flowering lasts from May to June and the harvesting takes place in spring and summer. |
Region Found | Ioannina (Smolikas, Pindos, Metsovo) |
Part of the Plant with Active Substances | Leaves |
Active Substances | Essential oil (which contains labdane), flavonoids, polyphenols, resin |
Pharmacological Effects - Therapeutic Applications | The whole plant is administered in the form of herbal tea as expectorant, antitussive, antidiarrheal and emmenagogue. The herbal tea is recommended for the treatment of duodenal and stomach ulcers, dental pain, runny nose, diarrhea, as well as immune stimulant especially against several bacterial infections. In homeopathy the plant is used due to its particular antioxidant action to prevent heart diseases and to reduce stress and anxiety. Finally, it has anti-wrinkle and regenerating properties and it is used in the form of ointment in cosmetics and against various skin problems. |
Method of Administration | The plant is administered as expectorant, antidiarrheal and immune stimulant in the form of herbal tea (a spoon of dried herb in a cup of boiled water, twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening). Also, the herbal tea is used for its antioxidant properties, as it is three times stronger than green tea. It is applied externally to the skin as anti-inflammatory, anti-wrinkle and healing in the form of an ointment. Warning: The use of herb preparations is not recommended without seeking advice from your physician or pharmacist. The substances they contain may interact with the subscribed drugs that the patient already takes, thus eliminating their therapeutic efficacy or inducing toxicity. They may also burden further weakened vital functions of the body thus exposing the patient to increased morbidity and life threatened conditions. |
Toxicity- Adverse Effects | No side effects have been reported. |
References | 1) http://www.reherb.eu/el/content/cistus-creticus 2)http://bioesti.com/rock-rose-cistus-creticus 3)http://www.iama.gr/ethno/Ladano_files/Ladano_Oikonomakis.pdf 4)http://www.pfaf.org/user/Plant.aspx?LatinName=Cistus+ladanifer 5)http://www.ntua.gr/MIRC/db/epirus_db/PERIVALLON/%CE%A7%CE%9B%CE%A9%CE%A1%CE%99%CE%94%CE%91_%CE%A0%CE%91%CE%9D%CE%99%CE%94%CE%91_%CE%92%CE%91%CE%9B%CE%99%CE%91_%CE%9A%CE%91%CE%9B%CE%9D%CE%A4%CE%91.htm |