Sideritis (or ironwort) is a genus which includes many species of which at east three are endemic to Lesvos (sideritis sipylea, sideritis lanata amd sideritis curvidens). The plants are are also known as mountain tea which is a very popular beverage beneficial against respiratory, urinary and gastric infections. Sideritis may also be applied externally and this may be the origin of its popular name since it is known from ancient times and could have been used to treat wounds from iron weapons. In the wild, the abundance of these plants has reduced in recent years due to uncontrolled foraging and they are now endangered species.
The essential oils contain a large number of substances, mainly terpenes and related compounds with antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
