michaelsharrington (Hridayam)

Most people have never heard of the medicinal herb known by its Latin name: Cistus Incanus or Cistus Creticus, or even the common name Rock Rose. This plant is also called Pink Rock Rose, Hoary Rock Rose or even Mediterranean Rockrose and is harvested primarily on the island of Sardinia off the coast of Italy. A shrubby brush, with pink flowers, it is the only plant that has not only survived years of drought in the region- but actually prospered. 

Cistus Incanus is also found on the Greek island of Crete, where it originated, and in some regions of Turkey, as well as one isolated area in the Strandja mountains of Bulgaria. There are about 25 species or hybrid varieties of the plant. We will be talking specifically about the Cistus Incanus (or Creticus) variety, and from now it will be referred to as Cistus.

The resin of the Cistus plant is mentioned in the Bible, in Genesis, as well as the Quran.This powerful medicinal herb was used by Egyptians circa 1500 B.C.E., during the time of the Pharoahs, who took it as an aphrodisiac, and used the aromatic dark brown plant resin called ladonan as a form of incense. The ancient Greeks were fond of Cistus, too, and used it for cleansing wounds of its warriors. For centuries the Cistus plant has been used for colds, coughs and rheumatism and decrepitness of all kinds. 

My own journey with Cistus began just one week ago. 

For 14 years I have been dealing with a complex chronic illness, specifically lyme and co-infections from a tick bite in 2008. I have tried many different remedies, modalities, and treatments, during the first decade after diagnosis. Then grace and intuition became the guide. I have rarely looked for treatments in the last 5 years. Then about 3 years ago I stumbled upon an article where Cistus Incanus was being discussed but did not feel moved to try it. A few weeks ago, my wife discovered the same article and suggested we try Cistus. With weather change and winter approaching, prevention and immune enhancement are the natural inclination, so we ordered some of the wildcrafted Sardinian Cistus medicinal tea. In the first week, mild detoxification reactions alternated with periods of increased well-being and lucidity. We shall see what the long term results will yield. (I will report back in a few months).

In the last decades, a worldwide antibiotic resistance has taken place.  One new statistic suggests that by 2050 one of the leading causes of death will be antibiotic resistance, with death numbers set to rise 10 million every year if no change is made. 

One change we can make, is to move from pharmaceutical drugs to natural herbal remedies. Most of us have been severely conditioned to accept pharmaceutical drugs as a way of life. We live in a quick fix society. To go against the ways of modern society, which is often entrenched and deluded, requires courage and earnestness. Necessary lifestyle changes must be made. Our lives must slow down and begin to harmonize with the rhythms of nature and trust in God’s miracle plants.

Study after study has shown the profound effects of plant medicines. And Cistus Incanus is one of the key herbs to facilitate a return to vitality and prevention of modern plagues, so says many scientific researchers, doctors, herbalists and botanists. 

Today, according to Dr. Klinghardt, Cistus Incanus wildcrafted in Sardinia, the second largest island in Italy, has brought about a renassaince-like return to glory for the plant. 

Klinghardt noted, 

     ”…Cistus has potent anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating benefits, particularly helpful in silencing the retroviral activity, a possible common denominator in chronic illness. Using Cistus is the most inexpensive way to treat the severe afflictions effecting so many in the world, including mutated bacteria, retroviruses and toxic mold and fungal organism.

In multiple case studies patients with debilitating chronic illnesses of all types, even those thought to have nearly impossible prognosis, like: ALS, MS, and Lyme have had remarkable recoveries. In my practice, Cistus has facilitated remarkable improvements in health, for those with cardiovascular diseases, inflammation of all kinds, and respiratory issues, cancers, dementia, autism and ADHD. Some have gone from bedridden to a normal functioning life.” 

Cistus has even been shown to be effective against the deadly Ebola virus. Cistus can also break up biofilm, which is an often hidden body response to modern diseases. This biofilm acts as a protective blanket for bacteria to survive and thrive. These biofilms are like mucous clusters that harbor a mixture of bacteria of various types, mixed with today’s most toxic substances, such as aluminum, fluoride, glyphosate and others.

A study by Northwest University has shown that Cistus is more effective in the treatment of Lyme disease than triple antibiotic therapy. Another study has shown Cistus to not only be effective against the worst retrovirus, HIV, but is effective in most drug-resistant chronic illness cases.

Dr. Georges Pandalis, another researcher and long time advocate of the Cistus plant was    inspired by his grandmother, an herbalist-healer midwife, and founded the Academy for the Promotion of Traditional European Plants for Nutrition and Medicine.  

In one of Dr. Pandalis’ studies, in late 2021 he noted, that after finding no reliable therapy or vaccine existed for Sars CoV-2 (Covid-19) -this being after the first group of the experimental vaccines had disastrous side effects and did nothing to protect against Covid – he used a special extract of called Cystus 052® and for Cystus® tea herb, which prevented cells from being infected from Sars CoV-2.

For his study, Dr. Pandalis used a special composition of the gray-haired rockrose, which grows in a narrow region of northern Greece, and extracted and used a tincture extract of the plant.

Dr. Pandalis said:

“Those who wish to avoid the risk of negative effects on health are better off relying on natural foodstuffs and remedies….In our “modern” time, our body is confronted with so many artificial substances as never before. Food plants cultivated in industrial agriculture increasingly contain chemical additives from fertilizers and pesticides, whereas the content of healthy ingredients is sharply declining. As if this is not enough – the supply of synthetically produced food supplements and chemical drugs is increasing steadily…the majority of the population suffers from intolerances and other health problems. Every third person now shows allergic reactions. The numerous alien substances… In the long run, make the healthiest body sick.”

In the Strandja seaside of Bulgaria, a study was undertaken in this region of untouched beauty. Cistus was mainly most well known as food for goats and sheep of the area. Cistus Incanus was used as an alcohol tincture, extracted from the leaves, stalks (wood parts) and bud mixture. The study found that the wild Cistus herb provided antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and strong gastroprotective beneficial effects and had strong anti-fungal properties. 

The results showed high content of total polyphenols and flavonoids and antioxidant compounds—that improve digestion, brain function, and blood sugar levels, as well as protect against blood clots, heart disease, and certain cancers and prevention and development of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, and cognitive diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Obtaining Cistus Incanus and Properly Infusing:

When looking at the quality of Cistus, make sure you’re buying actual Cistus incanus. Some products are marketed with that name but are actually a sub-species and nowhere near the medicinal value. Make sure Cistus incanus you obtain is wild grown, and wild-crafted.

Ki Science and Biopure offer two quality sources for Cistus Incanus and are hand-harvested in the dry climate of coastal Sardinia, where the Cistus plant thrives and produces incredibly potent plant properties.

When beginning to use Cistus Incanus as a tea infusion, start slowly, and build to the recommended dosage of six 8 oz cups per day. Use 1 teaspoon of loose Cistus tea leaves (plus one half teaspoon whole leaf stevia or a few drops of stevia tincture) to 8 oz of fresh boiled water. Infuse the tea leaves in a strainer (covered to keep the volatile healing oil aspects intact) and let stand for 5-10 minute. The tea is made from the dried flowers and leaves of the plant. It has a pleasant floral taste and is slightly sweet with the fresh stevia leaves. 

Whole leaf Stevia has healing properties of its own. Originally from Central and South America, Stevia minimizes the symptoms of diabetes, while reducing stroke and heart attack risk. One study in China showed a a reduced heart damage from high blood pressure. This herb is rarely used in its whole leaf form. Instead, Stevia is mostly a sugar substitute, though the modern version is processed to the point of losing any therapeutic effects and some may even be toxic. (This herb is hard to obtain and a tincture of Stevia can be used). 

Store the leaves at room temperature. Do not store leaves in the fridge. Once brewed, the tea itself can be drunk either warm or chilled, throughout the day. The brewed tea can be stored in the fridge, in a covered glass container, for 2 -3 days, or frozen into ice cubes (or even lollipops!).

The same tea leaves should be reused (and reinfused, brewing them 3 times, as different healing ingredients come out with repeated infusions). On the 2nd and 3rd infusion, the precious phenols come out. The last brew should be simmered for 15 minutes, covered, to extract the rest of the healing constituents. 

Side Effects / Contraindications

There are no known allergies or side effects beyond an initial detoxification reaction caused by the die off of detrimental organisms. Symptoms such as mild headache, light nausea or slight dizziness wear off in the first week and disappear completely after prolonged usage.

Best sources: Ki Sciences, BioPure, Sophia Nutrition, http://www.pandalis.de/en/products/

Linden Botanicals (https://lindenbotanicals.com) has a product called Shieldsup, an antiviral formula for flu prevention and treatment and immune enhancement—which contains: Cistus Incanus, Phyllanthus niruri (Chanca Piedra), Rosa rugosa (Rose Hips), Laricifomes officinalis (Agarikon mushroom), Torilis japonica (Japanese hedge parsley) and Lysine, an amino acids that inhibits viral replication.  The nice thing about well combined herbal formulas is the synergy of the herbs and supplements, further enhancing the therapeutic value.