Herbs are considered a gift of nature with healing properties for diseases. Herbs as aromatic plants often enhance our immune function, stimulate the body, help exfoliate and act as antioxidants.
- Dentrolivano
The dentrolivano, also known as rosemary is a fragrant, evergreen shrub belonging to the genus Rostorinos and the family of the Hellenes. A well-known plant in antiquity when the Ancient Greeks used it in various religious ceremonies and celebrations, in decorations of buildings, temples and as fuel for incense. It is a densely blooming and multi-branched shrub with a height not exceeding 2 meters. Its leaves are leathery, small, linear and resemble pine needles. The top surface of the leaves is dark green and the lower surface is slightly fluffy in color white or pale greyish. It has flowers in color, purple, white or cyan-white. It is used as a beverage and in cooking recipes, usually in seafood sauces. In addition, it is used for pharmaceutical purposes as a soothing agent.
- Sage
Sage (faskomilo) or salvia belongs to the genus of angiosperm elliptic plants. The sage, perennial, shrubby, with numerous branches, up to half a meter high, is found in all areas of Greece, mainly in dry and rocky places. It is consumed as a decoction for its medicinal properties, but in some cases, it has side effects. Its main use is as a beverage, either alone or in combination with malotira and diktamos. Due to its intense smell, it is used in many cooking recipes, mainly for red sauces and roasted meat.
- Diktamos
Diktamos( or erontas) is an endemic plant found on Crete and used as a beverage. The name derives from Mount Dikti (Lasithiotika) where it abounded. Its leaves are fluffy and have a grayish-green color. The Ancient Greeks called it “artemidon” as it was the gift of the goddess Artemis to them to heal their wounds. In Minoan Crete and Ancient Greece were one of the most important medicinal plants, they used it against stomach and digestive diseases rheumatism, arthritic, healing, tonic and antispasmodic. This particular aromatic plant usually grows on high heights and steep rocks. It is a perennial, self-sustaining plant and has three varieties, depending on the size of its leaves: foil, broadleaf, mesophyll. As a beverage, it can be combined with sage or saliva
- Malotira
The malotira is a perennial plant whose height varies from 10 to 50 cm. It has thin and round branches that are covered in full length with plenty of fluff. Its leaves are respectively 1-6 cm long, thick, slightly fleshy, long, ellipsoid and covered with linden. Its flowers are yellowish white. The Latin name of the herb is Sideritis syriaca and can be found under the names of malotira, mountain tea, and gingerbread. In Venetian-occupied Crete, they considered it a cure for colds and respiratory diseases. It belongs to the Hellenic family, which includes about 80 species, which grow in the countries of the Caribbean, the Canary Islands, and North Asia. It is beneficial to the diseases of the circulatory system of the human body, against respiratory problems and especially for the treatment of colds and coughs. Research over the past few years reports that it works against osteoporosis and cancer. Its essential oil has 34 substances various, antimicrobial mainly pharmaceutical properties. The herb blooms from the end of June until the end of July. It is harvested from May to August, during its flowering and for pharmaceuticals purposes, the terrestrial segments are used.
- Louisa
The Louisa has the official name lippia citriodora or Aloysia citrodora. It is a deciduous shrub with a height between 1.5-2 m. Its leaves are lanceolate and the flowers vary in coloring and are small with a distinctly intense aroma that resembles lemon. It blooms in the summer months and is the ideal period for its collection. Since ancient times they have been used to combat various types of pain. It is used as a beverage, as it is tonic, soothes stress, fever, cleanses the bronchial tube, can be used as a diuretic, for treating stomachache and menstrual cramps. It is used as a poultice for headaches, pain in the nerves and ears.
- Lavender
Lavender is a plant genus belonging to the Hellenic family. It is a toasted and multi-flowered plant with upright shoots stemming from the base. It is, therefore, a shrub, with a height of 30 to 80 cm. It has grayish-green leaves, narrowly like lanceolate. It is indigenous to the landlocked areas. It is also found in the Canary Islands, India, and other Asian countries. The essential oil containing its leaves is used in perfumery and for the treatment of neuralgia. It also has antiseptic properties and is used in wound healing. In large doses, lavender acts as a hypnotic and a narcotic. Its healing properties have been known since antiquity Lavender soothes the stomach nerves and calms the nervous system because it acts as a relaxing. It is ideal for insomnia and stress, helps migraines and headaches.
- Thymari-Thyme
Thymari is a herbaceous plant, which belongs to the Tuberculosis class and the Hellethan family. It is a small bush (up to 30 cm), with upright shoots, extremely resistant, a very pleasant scent emerges. It is found in the southern and Mediterranean regions of Europe in various parts of Asia and is grown in North America. The leaves of the thyme, when dried, get brownish in color and show off their fragrance when they are crushed. Their taste is very strong, slightly caustic and rich. Together with the dried flowers, they are used as a spice for the flavoring of various dishes in fish, meat, various sauces, soups, etc. Ancient Greeks used it to stimulate brain function, along with honey and vinegar. Thyme is used against gingivitis, caries and dental plaque, against sore throat and intense cough, and kills germs. The beverage helps the intestinal function and relieves the puffiness, fights weakness and anxiety, mental and physical exhaustion, depression and apathy. As an essential oil, it can be used with lukewarm water, we make a very good spa bath if we suffer from rheumatism or arthritis.
- Oregano
The oregano is an aromatic herbaceous, perennial, native and shrub plant of the Mediterranean and Central Asia. The plant has a height of 20-80 cm., It has leaves of opposite length 1-4 cm. In Greece, the oregano is native and is found in mountainous and rocky areas. Apart from the characteristic aroma and taste, it gives to the food has too many medicinal properties. The pharmaceutical uses of oregano include the treatment of respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal tract disorders, period pains, and urinary tract disorders. it can help with certain skin disorders, such as acne and dandruff.
