Prespa valley mountain tea (Ironwort)

Ingredients:

Dried ironwort (Sideritis scardica)

Easily recognizable by its bright, yellow flowers, usually growing in a group,  xx (latin name Sideritis scardica) is a herb that is cultivated and collected for use in traditional medicine for its healing characteristics.  Endemic to the region, it is found only in the Prespa region, usually within the boundaries of the Galicica National Park,  and in the Polog region, on Mount Shar Planina and in the Mavrovo National Park. It grows in higher altitudes in dry areas, sandy soil, rocks or rocky crevices. Collection of the herb is recommended at the end of June and the beginning of July, especially during the summer Orthodox Christian holiday St. Naum, when the herb is in full bloom.  After collecting, the stems and flowers are bound in bundles and left to dry in the shade, in a well aerated room.

Preparation: Before any kind of consumption, the plant has to be dry. One teaspoon of ground tea is put in 2 deciliters of hot water and steeped for about 20 minutes. After straining, the tea is ready for drinking. The tea can be sweetened with honey or sugar.