More than ever before, your patients may be interested in finding natural, effective ways of preserving their cognitive health and keeping their minds sharp, focused, and emotionally balanced. Fortunately, there are time-tested and clinically studied botanicals that can help: Greek mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) and Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri).

Greek mountain tea has been recognized throughout the Mediterranean region as a powerful botanical for supporting mental acuity and focus, in addition to overall health and wellness. Traditionally consumed as a brewed tea, Greek mountain tea can now be consumed in a convenient supplement form. Clinical research show that this botanical, individually and when combined with bacopa, shows impressive benefits for cognitive health in a variety of ways:

• Improved focus and cognitive abilities during stress and under pressure
• Better accuracy and attention to detail
• Stronger memory recall
• Improved mood and mental resilience

Greek mountain tea—a time-tested botanical for resilience

Greek mountain tea has been a prized beverage in the mountainous regions of the Mediterranean for generations and was a favorite of Hippocrates in ancient times. This hardy botanical thrives in harsh conditions, which is what helps the plant create its protective compounds.

Greek mountain tea has an invigorating effect on the mind and body. Shepherds in the Mediterranean drank it to stay warm, alert, focused, and resilient while tending to their flocks outdoors. The beverage is even commonly known as “shepherd’s tea” due to its association with the trade.

It is the perfect beverage for mental and physical endurance. Like so many botanicals, Greek mountain tea has multiple benefits just beginning to be explored with scientific and clinical studies. But some of its major strengths are the way it promotes cognitive health, focus, and mental well-being.

Clinical Results for Cognitive Health

In recent years, Greek mountain tea attracted the attention of researchers who wanted to see what results participants would see in placebo-controlled clinical trials, especially for cognitive health.

One placebo-controlled, double-blind study tested two dosages of a Greek mountain tea supplement (475 mg and 950 mg) against an active control of Ginkgo biloba (240 mg) for comparison’s sake, and a placebo.

After this month-long trial, Greek mountain tea showed significant benefits:

• Better accuracy and higher scores for processing visual info while under pressure.
• Less anxiety for individuals taking the higher (950 mg) dosage.
• Improved circulation in the prefrontal cortex—the part of the brain involved in impulse control, learning, and working memory.

Although ginkgo showed some positive effects on accuracy under pressure, the results weren’t as strong as they were for Greek mountain tea. Plus, ginkgo didn’t help participants feel the calm alertness that characterized those in the Greek mountain tea group.

Greek mountain tea also appears to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin, noradrenaline, and dopamine, making it a contender for treating symptoms of depression and attention-deficit conditions.

Other scientific work shows compounds in Greek mountain tea can protect against the development of Alzheimer’s by decreasing amyloid beta formation (the plaques and tangles that can interfere with brain signals) and reducing physical paralysis symptoms associated with the disease.

Greek mountain tea is also an excellent herbal adaptogen, promoting physical stamina and energy, without causing jitteriness. Unlike green tea, it is not caffeinated. It has also been traditionally recommended in cases of anemia and doesn’t deplete iron levels.

Synergistic cognitive benefits with bacopa

Greek mountain tea has also shown remarkable brain-boosting support when paired with Bacopa monnieri. Bacopa improves accuracy and working memory, and helps people perform repetitive tasks while under pressure. Some research shows bacopa may even help generate new and more efficient neural connections in the brain.

In clinical research, bacopa:

• Strengthened the speed of attention and overall cognitive abilities
• Alleviated symptoms of depression and anxiety in older individuals
• Improved focus and behavior for children and adolescents with attention deficit conditions

In individuals with mild cognitive impairment (a precursor stage to Alzheimer’s), a combination of bacopa and Greek mountain tea was shown to increase beta wave activity in the brain, which is associated with memory and focus. Those taking the combination also scored better in memory, math, and attention tests.

Greek mountain tea for overall longevity

In addition to its positive effects on cognition and mood, Greek mountain tea is a powerful antioxidant with the ability to stop free radical damage at a cellular level. Scientific research finds it is as strong as green tea, even though it contains different compounds and works through different pathways.

Greek mountain tea provides a compound called acteoside, which promotes various healthy responses in the body. This compound has been found to inhibit many types of cancer, including prostate, brain, and melanoma.

Scientific research shows that extracts of Greek mountain tea protect the gastrointestinal system from harm, reduce inflammation as effectively as a prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), and prevent cancer development without harming healthy immune cells. While Greek mountain tea is a powerful antioxidant that protects healthy cells, it appears to induce oxidative stress in tumor cells, and ultimately stops them.

Greek mountain tea also promotes healthy gut bacteria, making it a valuable herbal for assisting in nutrient absorption and digestion. Interestingly, preserving healthy probiotics in the body also helps the polyphenols from Greek mountain tea work most effectively.

And, further scientific study has found that Greek mountain tea activates a protein in liver cells that plays a starring role in how the body unlocks energy from calories, releases hormones, and regulates blood sugar levels.

Mind and body benefits

Greek mountain tea contains beneficial polyphenols and other nutrients that can re-energize the mind and body, and help your patients live their lives with optimal vitality. Again, while the botanical has long been enjoyed as a beverage, the benefits of a consistent dosage of Greek mountain tea paired with bacopa can promote the energy, focus, and mental acuity your patients are looking for.

Take 450 mg of Greek mountain tea (Sideritis scardica) aerial extract with 200 mg of bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) leaf extract standardized to ≥ 20% bacosides (40 mg) once or twice daily.