Anyone hiking through the maquis shrubland of Fartàritx on a hot afternoon will be enveloped in a sweet, slightly bitter, balsamic fragrance. It comes from an unassuming shrub whose leaves glisten in the heat as if they were sweating. This is the rockrose ( Cistus incanus ) – and this "sweat" is pure medicine.
The rockrose is a survivor. To avoid drying out in Mallorca's brutal sun and dryness, it produces a resin (labanum) to protect itself. And it is precisely in this resin that the magic lies.
Europe's polyphenol bomb
Scientific studies have shown that the rockrose is the edible plant in Europe richest in polyphenols. It far surpasses even red wine or green tea.
- The virus blocker: These polyphenols act like a physical shield in the body. Imagine it like this: They coat viruses and bacteria like chewing gum, sticking them together and preventing them from entering our body cells. That's why cistus tea is probably the most powerful ally you can have during cold and flu season.
- Free radical scavengers: Their antioxidant power is enormous. They protect our cells from "oxidative stress" and strengthen the immune system from the ground up.
The Secret of Goat Beards
The history of the rockrose is legendary. In ancient times, the plant's resin (labanum) was as precious as gold. But how was this sticky gold harvested? Goats were driven through the dense rockrose fields. The resin stuck to the animals' beards and fur, where it was then combed out by the herders. It was used as a remedy for wounds, for fumigation, and as a beauty product by Egyptian women.
A balm for the skin
What protects the plant from the sun also protects our skin.
- Anti-aging: The concentrated dose of antioxidants slows down skin aging.
- Problem solver: For neurodermatitis, acne, or minor wounds, washes with rockrose decoction have a strong soothing, itch-relieving, and anti-inflammatory effect. It helps the skin regain its natural balance.
Wild harvesting on Fartàritx
Our rockrose grows wild. It is neither fertilized nor watered. It has to fight for survival. This is precisely why its concentration of active ingredients is so much higher than that of plantation-grown plants. When you use our rockrose extract or tea, you absorb the pure, concentrated resilience of the Tramuntana.
