What is rock tea?

It is the rock tea, mountain tea or Aragon tea (Jasonia glutinosa)a plant of the Compositae family, which only found in the Western Mediterraneanfrom Provence to Morocco. It grows in rock fissures or next to them, in mountain areas.

It’s a plant barely 60 cm high, with a woody stem at its base, slimy. It has the small leaveslanceolate, glandular, arranged alternately on the stems.

The flowers are tubular, golden yellow.appearing in heads, wrapped in glandular outer bracts. It blooms from the month of May.

The flowering tops are collected at the beginning of flowering, and with them An infusion is prepared, with a pleasant camphorous aroma and somewhat bitter taste.highly appreciated in many areas of the eastern half of the Iberian Peninsula.

Medicinal properties of rock tea

Although it has not been studied very thoroughly, the presence of a essential oilsesquiterpene lactones, heterosides, bitter principles and tannins.

• Rock tea has been taken instead of regular tea as a daily infusion. Sample a gentle toning action on the nervous systemand although its taste is more bitter, it has the advantage of not present the exciting effect which is attributed to tea.
• Rock tea infusions have had a great tradition in Levante, Aragon and Catalonia, as aperitif and digestive remediesto awaken the appetite and to combat stomach ailments and digestive disorders, the typical empachos. They facilitate comfortable digestion, They prevent heartburn and relieve abdominal bloating and gas formation.
• It is also considered antidiarrheal, laxative (on an empty stomach), antiseptic, anti-inflammatory and slightly hypotensive.
• It has been used against flu, seasonal colds and cough attacks.
• Externallyrock tea remedies They have been indicated to clean wounds, without bleeding, and to reduce inflammation in bumps and bruises.

How is rock tea prepared?

Rock tea is basically drunk in the form of an infusion for internal use, or for washingbaths and compresses. It can be combined with other plants in herbal formulas:

Rock tea for gas

Very effective in case of intestinal spasms and flatulence is the herbal tea that combines rock tea with white savory (Satureja fruticosa), lemon verbena and lemon balm in equal parts.

How to prepare it: Boil the water, add the previously mixed herbs, and let it infuse for 10 minutes. It is ideal after strong or copious meals, with the possibility of typical cramps appearing.

Infusion to prevent bad breath and bad taste in the mouth

You can try the formula that combines 20 g of rock tea, mint and green anise, plus half of parsley.

How to prepare it: Pour a level tablespoon of the mixture into a glass of boiling water and let it infuse for 10 minutes.

To relieve bruises

A valid recipe is one that combines the rock tea with calendula, thyme and cat’s tail.

How to prepare it: Four tablespoons of the mixture are poured per half a liter of water. Boil for 5 minutes and strain. It involves watering the affected area three times a day with the infusion. This can be kept in the refrigerator, but it is preferable to renew it daily.

Rock tea infusion for colds and coughs

You can drink a simple infusion of rock tea or, better yet, mixed in equal parts with thyme and marshmallow, plus a few drops of lemon juice. Up to three very hot glasses are taken, away from the main meals.

Precautions and contraindications

At a popular level it is considered potentially abortiveso it is recommended Avoid it during pregnancy.

They should be avoided high dosesas they could cause vomiting.

Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist from “El Manantial de Salud”