Cistus tea can break up biofilms that microbes hide behind. When biofilms are dissolved, the immune system can target and eliminate infections, such as those caused by the Herpes Simplex Virus.

There are various ways to make cistus tea, many of which are complicated. Because this tea plays such an essential role in your health (biofilm-busting), it's crucial to make it properly, so I'm sharing the following 18-minute video from Linden Botanicals. 

Michael Van der Linden (founder of Linden Botanicals) provides water and temperature tips before walking you through making cistus tea in two different ways. Click on the image above to watch the video or visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv76TQy5eaQ&t=3s.

If both of the methods in the video are too busy for you, here's a simpler process. Place one teaspoon of dried cistus in an infuser (strainer or tea ball) and put it in a mug. In a kettle or small pot, bring 1-1/2 cups of pure water to a rolling boil (until tiny bubbles form on the sides and bottom of the pot). Remove from heat immediately. Boiling water can make the tea bitter. Pour the water over the tea in your mug and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Cover to keep the oil from evaporating and allow it to cool. Strain and add green stevia or a bit of raw honey to taste. The tea leaves in your tea ball can be used for the next cup of the day.

If your tea is bitter, the water was likely too hot, or you steeped it too long. Even when appropriately brewed, I find cistus too "rough" for my taste, so I blend it with other teas, such as lemon balm or holy basil, which are naturally sweeter.

Cistus tea can be made in large batches and stored in the fridge for sipping throughout the day. Drink one brew within three days. You can warm it up or add ice. Don't use a microwave, as this alters its nutrient value.

You can drink 3-4 cups daily for general health. It's best to drink it on an empty stomach. During the acute phase of a herpes outbreak, you can drink 6-8 cups (no more).

Cistus can also be taken in capsule form.

Other Biofilm-Busters

Other natural biofilm-busters are oregano, cranberry, ginger, curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric), cinnamon, clove, apple cider vinegar, false pepper (Embelia ribes), and garlic.

Berberine, eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree essential oils destroy biofilms. You can use them topically, in oral preparations (swished in the mouth), or in toothpaste. When used in toothpaste, be sure to spit out and never swallow. Swallowing essential oils is dangerous.

Also, the supplements berberine, activated charcoal, proteolytic enzymes, and NAC (N-acetylcysteine) are known to disrupt biofilms. However, always do your research before trying new remedies.