Ironwort

The flowering tops of the plant are used.
It contains flavonoids, diterpenes, essential oil, lignans, sterols, coumarins and iridoids. Indications and traditional properties attributed to it without conclusive clinical evidence (EMA 2016, González 2011): anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, digestive, carminative, antiulcer and antimicrobial.

Since the last update we have not found published data on its excretion in breastmilk.

It is a plant which is devoid of toxicity and has few published side effects. Given its lack of toxicity at correct doses, moderate consumption would be compatible with breastfeeding.

Precautions when taking plant preparations:
1. Make sure they are from a reliable source: poisonings have occurred due to confusion of one plant with another with toxic properties, poisonings due to heavy metals that are extracted from the soil and food poisoning due to contamination with bacteria or fungi (Anderson 2017).
2. Do not take in excess; follow recommendations from experts in phytotherapy. "Natural" products are not good in any quantity: plants contain active substances from which much of our traditional pharmacopoeia has been obtained and can cause poisoning or act as endocrine disruptors (contain phytoestrogens: Powers 2015, Zava 1998) if consumed in exaggerated quantity or periods of time.

Synonyms

• Ironwort,
• Mountain tea
• Shepherd's tea

Writings

• Sideritis angustifolia, Sideritis clandestina (Latin, botanical name)
• Sideritis hyssopifolia, Sideritis incana (Latin, botanical name)
• Sideritis raeseri, Sideritis scardica (Latin, botanical name)
• Sideritis syriaca, Sideritis tragoriganum (Latin, botanical name)
• Τσάι του βουνού (Greek)
• Crapaudine (French)
• Cua de gat, Rabet de gat (Catalan)