Cistus Leaves
Estimated Inventory, lb : 0
Description/Taste
Cistus leaves are variable in size, depending on the season and climate where they are harvested. The leaves are generally small, averaging 1 to 4 centimeters in length and around 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. If the species grows in a warm and dry Mediterranean climate, the leaves can fluctuate throughout the year with rainfall and are sometimes five times smaller than the average size when water is scarce. The leaves grow on thick, upright, woody, red-brown branches and appear in opposite groupings. The leaves typically showcase an ovate, lanceolate shape with wavy, undulating edges. Each leaf is heavily textured, tough, and thick. The dark green to grey-green leaves are also covered in glandular hairs that release a sticky, tacky resin. Cistus leaves emit a subtly sweet and herbal aroma. The leaves are not commonly eaten raw for culinary preparations. They are popularly dried into tea and consumed as an earthy, green, and herbal medicinal beverage. The resin extracted from the leaves is known for its musky, warm, amber-like, herbaceous scent with woody, spicy, and balsam nuances.
Seasons/Availability
Cistus leaves are harvested in the late spring through early summer for use as tea. The resin is extracted from the plants in the summer. Dried leaves are available year-round.
Current Facts
Cistus, botanically classified as Cistus creticus, is an ancient species belonging to the Cistaceae family. The small, branching, evergreen shrub reaches around one meter in height and is native to the Mediterranean, where it is regarded as a notable medicinal species. The name “Cistus” is derived from the Greek word “kisthos,” meaning “basket or box,” a reference to the plant’s bulbous fruits that contain many tiny seeds. The species is also known by other names, including Pink Rockrose, Cretan Rockrose, and Hoary Rockrose. It is important to note that there are several species within the Cistus genus that are similar in appearance and use throughout the Mediterranean. Cistus plants are known for their ability to withstand periods of drought and thrive in harsh, warm climates. They are also known for famously secreting a sticky resin coating to protect the plant from moisture loss. This resin has become one of the most important elements of the species and is extracted for commercial sale as a foundation for perfumes, cosmetics, incense, and medicinal products.
Nutritional Value
Cistus is known for its anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibiotic, and antibacterial properties. The low-growing shrub is primarily harvested for its small leaves and the sticky resin that coats the greens. The leaves are boiled and used in topical treatments for the skin. The boiled infusion can be applied to irritations with a damp cloth or gargled as a mouthwash. The mixture can also be consumed to cleanse the digestive tract and detox the body. Cistus leaves contain antioxidants to reduce inflammation and guard the cells against the damage caused by free radicals. In addition to water-based infusions, an essential oil and resin can be extracted from the leaves. This resin, also known as an oleoresin, is called labdanum and seeps from the leaves on warm days. Labdanum was discovered by shepherds who found the resin stuck in the hairs of goats. It was noticed that the sticky resin had a pleasant aroma, and communities throughout the eastern Mediterranean, especially in Greece, began extracting the resin for use in incense, perfumes, balms, and cosmetics. Historically, labdanum was collected by combing it from goat hair or using a tool to scrape over the plants. In Greece, a rake-like tool called a ladanisterions featured a long pole with straps of leather. This tool was drug over the surface of the Cistus plant on warm days as the resin is at its softest, stickiest texture when heated. The leather straps coated in the resin were scraped, and the resin was later boiled to clean and separate it from lingering debris. Labdanum is still collected using these ancient methods in villages in Crete. The resin is favored as a base scent in perfumes and is often blended with other resins like myrrh and frankincense to make oils and incense used in religious practices.
Applications
Cistus is not commonly used in culinary preparations and is primarily utilized as a tea. The leaves are dried and steeped in boiling water, and this tea is frequently consumed as a medicinal beverage to support the body’s overall health and wellness. Cistus tea also relaxes the mind and nervous system and helps reduce stress and anxiety. The Greeks often drink Cistus tea before bed to help them sleep. The plant’s resin is occasionally used in food products like chewing gum. While the species is not known for its culinary value, the wood of the shrub is prized for fueling ovens to make paximadi, a traditional twice-baked bread in Greece. Paximadi is a rusk-like bread that can be stored for several months. Its distinct preparation allows the bread to remain fresh and is often drizzled in olive oil for a softer consistency. Paximadi is famously served with homemade cheeses and olives or used as a base for cooked dishes, salads, and meals with dried fish and meats. Cistus leaves harvested for tea are sometimes combined with essential oils such as lavender, ginger, rose geranium, and cinnamon for enhanced flavoring. Freshly harvested Cistus leaves do not last long and should be dried for long-term storage in a cool, dry, and dark location with good air circulation.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Legend has it that Cistus was divinely blessed by the gods of Mount Olympus. When the plant was first created, the gods on Mount Olympus debated what gifts the plant would offer humanity and the world. The gods wanted Cistus to heal wounds, especially for warriors and soldiers in battle, while the goddesses wanted the plant to be known for its beauty and ability to be used for therapeutic properties. An agreement was made to appease both views, and Cistus was given many medicinal qualities to heal, soothe, and protect. The plant was also made with tough leaves combined with fleeting, delicate, brightly colored, beautiful flowers, giving the shrub an aesthetically pleasing appearance. Beyond the tales in Greek Mythology, Cistus was prized for its resin and was a common ingredient in incense burned at the temples of the gods throughout Greece. The resin produced a pleasant aroma and was seen as prayers being lifted to the gods in a welcoming way.
Geography/History
Cistus creticus is native to the eastern Mediterranean and has been growing wild since ancient times. The species thrives in warm, arid regions and is often found in sparse scrubland as it is a hardy, drought-tolerant plant. In Ancient Egypt, the resin from Cistus creticus was once used in embalming rituals and was burned as a fragrant offering. Cistus was mentioned in the Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medicinal texts dating back to 1550 BCE, and was believed to be one of the ingredients used in the beards worn by pharaohs. Cistus resin was first discovered in the beards of goats who ate from the plants. The Egyptians believed this resin was born from the “Tears of Osiris” and was a gift from the gods. In return, pharaohs wore beards of goat fur mixed with Cistus resin, symbolizing their connection to the gods and elevated status. During the Minoan civilization between 2700 and 1500 BCE, Cistus was featured in paintings and was thought to have been used in cosmetics. Greek historian Herodotus also mentions how the resin is extracted from the plants in his book “The Histories,” written around 440 BCE. Throughout history, Cistus creticus was continually mentioned in the writings of physicians and naturalists, including the well-known Greek physician Dioscorides, and the plant was spread over time to other regions of Europe, the Middle East, and Africa through trade and merchants. Cistus creticus is famous for its musky, aromatic resin, and the species expanded in popularity as the resin became the base note in perfumes, oils, and incense. Today, Cistus creticus is still found wild in the Mediterranean, especially on the islands of Crete and Cyprus, and is cultivated worldwide for its resin and medicinal use as a dried tea. The Cistus creticus featured in the photograph above was sourced through the gardens of Cretan Botano Mountain Herbs, a family-owned and operated shop in Listaros, southern Crete.
