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Medicinal & Therapeutic Herbs
Cretan Mountain Tea (Malotira) herb bunch
Also known as: Cretan mountain tea, malotira, ironwort, malotira, sideritis.
Malotira is the Cretan mountain tea Sideritis syriaca, an aromatic endemic herb growing at high elevations in western Crete. The bunch contains flowering stems and makes a soothing, stomach-friendly and warming infusion.
Shipping options
Last updated: October 2026
Our courier partners
We work with the following courier companies to ensure fast and reliable delivery:
- ACS Courier: delivery across Greece and to Cyprus
- ACS Smart Lockers: collection from automated parcel lockers
- ELTA Courier: delivery across Greece
- Box Now: collection from automated parcel lockers
- DHL: deliveries to EU countries
Dispatch and delivery times
When your order is dispatched
Most products are dispatched within 1–2 business days of order confirmation. For bank transfers, the time counts from receipt of payment. If a product is temporarily out of stock, dispatch may take 3–5 business days and we will notify you promptly.
Estimated delivery times
| Destination | Delivery time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Athens and major cities | 1–2 business days | |
| Regional areas | 1–3 business days | |
| Islands and remote areas | 2–5 business days | Subject to route schedules |
| EU countries (DHL) | usually 4–6 business days | Depending on the destination |
| Cyprus (ACS Courier) | 5–7 business days | From the departure of the ship |
Delivery times count from the day of dispatch. They are estimates and may be affected by circumstances beyond our control (strikes, adverse weather, etc.).
Delivery days
- Deliveries are made on business days (Monday–Friday).
- Saturday delivery: available on request, at an additional charge.
- Same-day delivery: available on request, at an additional charge.
- Delivery at a scheduled time: available on request, at an additional charge.
Shipping costs within Greece
Free shipping on orders over €49
On orders over €49, shipping is free for the first 3 kg. If your parcel is heavier, you keep the free shipping and pay only for the extra weight, at €1.50 per kg.
Orders up to €49
Free shipping does not apply to orders up to €49. Shipping starts from €3.50 for parcels up to 2 kg. The exact amount is calculated automatically at checkout, based on the courier, the weight and the destination, and is shown before you complete your order.
Tip: combine your purchases into a single order over €49 to get free shipping.
Cash on delivery
Paying by cash on delivery costs an extra €2.50, on top of the shipping cost.
Order tracking
Once your order has been dispatched, you will receive an SMS or e-mail with a tracking number so you can follow your parcel in real time.
Uncollected parcels
- ACS, ELTA: parcels are held at the courier's office for up to 7 days.
- Box Now: parcels are held in the locker for 48 hours.
- DHL (EU shipments): parcels are held at the local DHL office for a limited number of days. Please contact your local DHL office to confirm.
If you are unable to collect your parcel in time, please contact us and we will find a solution. If a parcel is returned to us without prior notice, the outbound and return shipping costs are charged to the customer. See our Returns Policy for details.
Shipping to the European Union and Cyprus
We ship to all European Union countries with DHL, from €18 (Cyprus and Malta from €20). For Cyprus you can also choose ACS Courier (from €9.60). The exact cost is shown at checkout, before you pay.
On EU orders over €200, shipping is free for the first 2 kg and you pay only for the extra weight.
Since all shipments travel within the European Union, there are no customs duties or import charges.
Full details on our International Orders — European Union page.
Contact us about shipping
- E-mail: info@yperikon.gr
- Phone: (+30) 2610 221354
- Opening hours (Greek time): Mon, Wed, Sat 9:00–14:00 · Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00–14:00 & 18:00–21:00 · Sunday closed
Shipping and Delivery · International Orders — European Union
Payment methods
PAYMENT METHODS
Last updated: May 2026
All products, prices, and shipping terms are confirmed in your order confirmation e-mail. Payment is made before delivery and can be completed using one of the following methods:
1. CREDIT / DEBIT CARD
We accept Visa and Mastercard (credit and debit cards) with full security via Piraeus Bank / Epay. No additional charge.
• Google pay/Apple pay
• SSL encryption — your card details are never stored on our systems
• Instant order confirmation
• No additional fees
2. CASH ON DELIVERY
Pay in cash directly to the courier representative upon delivery. A service fee of €2.50 applies.
Available for deliveries within Greece only.
3. BANK TRANSFER
After placing your order, please wait for our e-mail confirmation of product availability. Then transfer the total amount to one of the following accounts:
Bank | IBAN | Account No. |
National bank | GR3201108360000083600252080 | 836 0025 2080 |
Alpha Bank | GR3901405300530002101442697 | 530002101442697 |
Eurobank | GR2002606720000990200149181 | 0026067299 0200149181 |
Piraeus | GR9401725070005507082823498 | 5507082823498 |
Bank IBAN Account No.
Εθνική Τράπεζα GR3201108360000083600252080 836 0025 2080
Alpha Bank GR3901405300530002101442697 530002101442697
Eurobank GR2002606720000990200149181 0026067299 0200149181
Πειραιώς GR9401725070005507082823498 5507082823498
Account holder: ANASTASOPULOS VASSILIOS
•No additional charge for transfers from the same bank
•Transfers from a different Greek bank may incur standard inter-bank transfer fees (e-banking)
•Transfers from a bank outside Greece: an additional fee of €4.00 applies, to be added by the buyer to the total amount transferred
•We recommend notifying us by e-mail (info@yperikon.gr) once the transfer is made, including the date and bank used — this helps us dispatch your order faster
4. IRIS PAYMENTS
You can pay instantly via IRIS using our Tax ID (AFM):
Tax ID (AFM): 104130231
IRIS Payments enables instant bank-to-bank transfers at no charge.
Note: Bank transfer and IRIS Payments are available for orders within Greece only. For EU orders, please use card payment at checkout.
Send us a message and we reply within one working day. Or call us on (+30) 2610 221354 during shop hours.
Send a message(+30) 2610 221354What it is
Malotira is the Cretan mountain tea Sideritis syriaca, an aromatic endemic herb growing at high elevations in western Crete. The bunch contains flowering stems and makes a soothing, stomach-friendly and warming infusion.
Its woolly leaves and yellow flowers contain flavonoids, phenolic acids and volatile constituents. Traditional use concerns colds, respiratory comfort, digestion, relaxation and vitality, while newer research examines antioxidant, neuroprotective and vascular mechanisms.
Key properties
Soothing and calming. Used as a mild evening infusion for relaxation and comfort.
Stomachic and tonic. Traditionally associated with digestion, stomach complaints and general vitality.
Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Flavonoids support research on oxidative stress, inflammation and capillary fragility.
Antimicrobial and diaphoretic. Its traditional character concerns colds, influenza and respiratory comfort.
Mildly diuretic and analgesic. Referenced for urinary comfort, oedema and mild pain.
Uses
Malotira is primarily an everyday aromatic infusion. Traditional and research references are presented without recasting the herb as a medicinal preparation.
Colds, influenza and respiratory comfort. Taken warm for the throat, cough, perspiration and respiratory comfort. Stomach and digestion. Stomachic use includes indigestion, heaviness and mild gastrointestinal discomfort. Relaxation and sleep. The local name kalokoimithia reflects its use as a calm evening drink.
Inflammation, oedema and urinary comfort. Its anti-inflammatory and diuretic character relates to mild traditional support. Memory and Alzheimer research. Extracts of Sideritis species are being studied for cognitive and neuroprotective effects. Evidence does not uniformly concern plain malotira infusion. Heart, blood pressure and capillaries. Preclinical references examine heart function, vascular tone, blood pressure and capillary fragility.
Anaemia and wound healing. These are traditional references together with soothing and healing character.
Preparation & dosage
For an infusion, lightly break up part of the bunch, use about 1 teaspoon per cup of boiling water, cover for 8–10 minutes and strain. The recorded traditional frequency is up to three cups daily.
Drink plain or with lemon and honey. For a milder everyday beverage, reduce the amount or infusion time and avoid prolonged hard boiling.
Amounts are indicative and are based on traditional use and published herbal literature. For prolonged use or when taking medication, consult a healthcare professional.
Precautions
Malotira is widely used as an infusion and is generally considered safe. Use moderation, especially during pregnancy, breastfeeding, childhood or chronic medication.
People allergic to Lamiaceae should begin with a small amount. Persistent breathlessness, high fever or urinary symptoms require professional assessment.
Frequently asked questions
What is malotira?
It is the endemic Cretan species Sideritis syriaca, known as Cretan mountain tea.
How is a malotira bunch prepared?
Lightly break it up and infuse about 1 teaspoon per cup for 8–10 minutes.
When is it commonly drunk?
It is taken warm for colds and digestion or as a mild evening infusion for relaxation.
- European Medicines Agency. Final European Union herbal monograph on Sideritis scardica Griseb.; Sideritis clandestina (Bory & Chaub.) Hayek; Sideritis raeseri Boiss. & Heldr.; Sideritis syriaca L., herba.
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