Use of Stachys Species (Mountain Tea) as Herbal Tea and Food

Abstract

Stachys genus is one of the largest genera of the Labiatae (Lamiaceae) family and is widely distributed across Europe and East Asia, as well as in America. In this study the essential oil composition and consumption pattern of Stachys species as food are discussed. A survey of the literature found that the genus was consumed primarily as teas and that this was due to their essential oil and phenolics contents. Some species of the genus are also consumed in Europe and China as a carbohydrate source.