This incredible endemic herb, born high in the Cretan mountains, could be exactly what you need to bring to your life for a potential wellness boost, all year round. Malotira tea is one of Crete’s favourite herbal teas!
Οne of the best-known and most important aromatic herbs that grow on the mountains of Crete, at an altitude over 800m.
Perennial evergreen shrub that botanically belongs to the genus Sideritis, reaches a height of 70 cm, has an upright woody shoot and bears lanceolate fluffy leaves and small yellow flowers.
Μalotira has always been an exceptional product known to all Cretans.
The plant’s name is attributed to the Venetians, once conquerors of the island, who acknowledged the use of the plant against colds, and gave it the name “maletira” from the Italian world male=disease, illness, and the verb tirare=drag.
According to another etymology, the word derives from malotos=hairy, due to the presence of dense fluff on the leaves and on the stems of the plant.
If you would like to know more about the beneficial properties of our herbs, please visit our dedicated section called Nutripedia.