Bidens aurea or Canary Tea: Origin and Expansion
Golden Bidens, Popularly known as Canarian tea, garden tea, wild tea, American tea o little olive, is a perennial and rhizomatous herbaceous plant that has found a very special place in the Canarian culture and in many other regions, both for its medicinal properties as for their traditional usesAlthough many people believe that it is a typical tea from the Canary Islands, its origin dates back to Central America, spreading spontaneously from territories ranging from Guatemala to Arizona. Its ability to spread in the wild has allowed it to be present today not only in the Canary Islands and the Iberian Peninsula, but also in large areas of North America, much of Europe, and South America. The ease with which it adapts to different environmental conditions has led to it being considered a Invasive species, especially due to its rhizomatous roots that can multiply easily.
Morphology and Botanical Characteristics
El Canarian tea is a perennial which can reach heights between 50 cm and more than one and a half meters, depending on the conditions moisture y soil nutrients. Their stems usually have shades ranging from green to reddish brown, and sometimes have quadrangular shapes. leaves They are narrow, elongated, and lanceolate, deep green in color with serrated edges, arranged oppositely along the stems. Its characteristically beautiful flowers are inflorescences (capsules) that are usually 20 to 35 mm in diameter, with white petals or ligules and a bright yellow center. It also produces fruits in the form of angular achenes, provided with two to four twisted hooks at the end that facilitate their dispersal by adhering to the fur of animals or human clothing. The scientific name Bidens (“two teeth”) refers to these structures.
This species belongs to the family Asteraceae, also known as composites, famous for their inflorescences that group multiple tiny flowers together, resembling a single large flower. It is commonly confused with the bidens pilosa, but it can be distinguished from the latter by the size and shape of its leaves. For more information on different species, you can visit types of native trees of Spain.
Ecology, Location and Adaptive Capacity
El Golden Bidens It adapts very well to different types of soil, developing both in rich and humid environments (such as ravines, mid-mountain areas, the banks of watercourses and poorly tended orchards) and in poor and dry soils, even reaching roadsides and abandoned agricultural land. It needs sunlight direct sunlight to grow vigorously, although it tolerates some shade and can withstand occasional light frosts but not persistent snow. Its altitudinal range is quite wide, from sea level to 2.000 meters above sea level. This adaptability, combined with its rhizomes with abundant buds, makes it a very difficult species to eradicate once established.
In the Canary Islands, it is found especially in humid areas of islands such as Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, La Gomera, El Hierro, and Fuerteventura, as well as in farms, gardens, and wild fields throughout the Iberian Peninsula and regions of South America such as Chile and Argentina, where it is sometimes considered a weed in crops such as vineyards.
Active Ingredients and Chemical Composition
Various chemical analyses have revealed that both the root and the aerial part of Golden Bidens contain compounds with potential therapeutic value. Among the featured active ingredients are:
- Flavonoids: known for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antispasmodic action.
- Triterpenes: which contribute to anti-inflammatory and gastric protective activity.
- Auron glycosides: present in flowers and tops, responsible for some of the attributed properties.
- Alkynes and derivatives: identified in the aerial part of the plant, with possible medicinal effects.
- Lignanan: identified in the roots, although its concentration and therapeutic relevance are still being studied.
This combination of bioactive compounds underlies the properties attributed to the plant by traditional medicine and some pharmacological studies, although further clinical trials are still needed to conclusively confirm many of these applications.
Medicinal Properties and Traditional Uses of Canarian Tea
La folk medicine and traditional uses de Golden Bidens Canary tea has survived generation after generation in different cultures. Its most relevant properties, both from empirical uses and preclinical studies, include:
- Digestive: The infusion of Canarian tea has been used to improve digestion, treat gastric discomfort, combat heartburn and protect the gastric mucosa. It is considered a stomach regenerator and can be used as a digestive after heavy meals.
- Mild laxative and diuretic: Traditionally it has been used for relieve constipation mild and as a natural aid to stimulate kidney function, promoting the elimination of fluids.
- Anticatarrhal and expectorantIn the Canary Islands and Mexico, an infusion of branches, leaves and flowers has been used to combat colds, colds, sore throats and chest illnesses.
- Natural painkiller: Especially recommended to relieve headaches.
- Antispasmodic and anti-inflammatory: Flavonoids and triterpenes explain the beneficial effects on muscle pains and digestive discomfort resulting from spasms.
- antidiarrhealCanarian tea is frequently recommended in cases of diarrhea or gastrointestinal discomfort, especially in infusions combined with other plants (such as oregano, verbena, mint or bitter orange).
- PurgativeIn Mexico and other regions it is used as a mild purgative, using infusions of the entire plant.
- SoothingThe calming effect of the infusion makes it suitable for taking before bed, helping to relax the body.
preclinical studies suggest that Bidens aurea infusion may be useful in cases of gastric hyperacidity and hypersecretion, showing protective effects comparable to recognized antacid drugs. Although the evidence is still limited, this fact reinforces the traditional reported uses.
Ways of Consumption and Traditional Recipes
The most used part of the plant is the leaves, branches and flowers, both fresh and dried. The most common preparation is infusion, which acquires an attractive reddish color very similar to conventional tea (Camellia sinensis), although Canarian tea doesn't belong to the same family or genus as traditional tea. The infusion's main appeal is its pleasant, slightly bitter flavor and its versatility in combining with other ingredients.
Below is how to prepare a standard infusion of Canarian tea:
- Place 2-3 grams of dried leaves or tops in a cup of about 150 ml of previously boiled water.
- Cover and let it rest for a few minutes. 5 minutesStrain the liquid before drinking.
- It is recommended to consume 1 to 3 cups a day, preferably after meals.
In the Canary Islands, a popular recipe adds a teaspoon of oregano, lemon peel (without the white part) and a touch of honey or syrup to the infusion, increasing its digestive effect and improving the flavor.
To treat headachesIt is suggested to prepare a mixture of equal parts Canary Island tea leaves, verbena, mint, and bitter orange. Take one tablespoon of the mixture with one cup of boiling water, let it steep covered for up to 10 minutes before straining and drinking it three times a day.
Ethnobotanical Uses and Popular Tradition: The Canary Islands and Beyond
El Canarian tea It is one of the most widely used wild infusions in the southern peninsula and the Canary Islands, but it also has a significant presence in other Spanish and Latin American regions. For example, in the province of Ávila, the Arenas de San Pedro area, and the Tiétar Valley, it is a common beverage. In Granada, it is commonly used as a substitute for tea, highlighting its flavor and digestive effectIn Valdemanco, it is recommended for diarrhea and intestinal pain, and in some places, it is even used as animal fodder. In other contexts, especially agricultural ones, the proliferation of Canary tea can be problematic, as it becomes an invasive plant that is difficult to eradicate.
Although in certain populations the plant is seen as a plant pest Due to its rapid spread, in most rural environments its medicinal value y culinario makes it a highly valued resource.
Precautions, Contraindications and Toxicity
While the popular use of Golden Bidens It is widespread and no serious toxicities or relevant side effects have been documented, There are no comprehensive pharmacological or clinical studies that guarantee their complete safety. For this reason, it is recommended:
- Always use moderate amounts, following the traditional doses.
- Do not consume the infusion for more than short periods without consulting a specialist.
- Make sure to collect the plant in areas free of contamination and without treatment with phytosanitary products.
- In pregnant or nursing women, young children, or people with chronic illnesses, it is advisable to avoid continued use without medical supervision.
As with any wild medicinal plant, it is important to be cautious and well informed about the origin and purity of the product used.
Curiosities, Popular Names and Cultural Diffusion
El Golden Bidens It has been acquiring different names throughout its global expansion: wild tea, wild tea, wild tea, queen's tea, Moorish tea, Moorish tea, milpa tea, field tea, planted tea y little olive, among others. Its name "Canarian tea" comes from the similarity of its infusion to common tea in both color and flavor, as well as from the deep roots of its use in Canarian culture. Curiously, in some places where it grows massively, such as in certain agricultural areas, it is considered a bothersome weed, but its ethnobotanical value It also keeps it present in natural medicine cabinets and in collective memory.
Furthermore, due to its ornamental beauty, it is often planted in gardens or orchards, not only for its medicinal benefits, but also to attract pollinators or produce plant biomass. It is also frequently used as part of cold remedies, mixed with other aromatic plants.
How to Grow Bidens aurea (Canary Tea) at Home
Given its rusticity, the Canarian tea It can be easily grown in organic gardens, pots, or urban gardens. The keys to its cultivation are:
- Choose a location with good sun exposure and, in very hot climates, provide partial shade during the hottest hours.
- Use well-drained soils, although it tolerates both acidic and alkaline soils and with different fertility.
- Keep the soil slightly moist during early development, although the plant can survive periods of drought once established.
- Avoid prolonged water stagnation to prevent fungal diseases.
- Its expansion is controlled by completely removing the rhizomes if it is necessary to limit its proliferation.
Domestic use of Canarian tea Not only is it simple, but it also allows you to enjoy a genuine infusion, with healthy benefits and a beautiful ornamental value in the garden.
Ecological Value and Role in the Ecosystem
The presence of Golden Bidens In agricultural and wildlife ecosystems, it has both positive and negative impacts. On the one hand, it provides food and shelter for various pollinating insects, such as bees and butterflies, promoting local biodiversity. On the other hand, in some crops, it can act as a competitive weed due to its rapid rhizomatous spread, which can reduce the yield of certain crops if not properly managed. However, its landscape and medicinal value, as well as its contribution to plant matter, make it a benchmark plant in Canarian and Iberian ethnobotany.
Plant Golden Bidens, or Canarian tea, represents a clear example of how species native to the Americas have been assimilated and revalued in Mediterranean, Canarian, and Latin American culture. Thanks to its hardiness, beauty, and health-promoting properties, it has earned a place in both home gardens and traditional medicine.
It is fascinating how Canarian tea has managed to unite past and present, science and tradition, around an infusion that, beyond its properties, symbolizes the adaptation, memory, and living wealth of the people where it grows. Responsible and conscious consumption of this plant, combined with respect for its environment, ensures that its legacy continues to flourish generation after generation, enriching both health and well-being. popular culture.
