Wild Mint or Pennyroyal
Wild Mint or Pennyroyal - Menta pulegium L.
The aromatic wild mint, also known as pennyroyal, is one of the most fragrant herbs of nature. It belongs to the large Lamiaceae family and the Mentha genus.
History & Mythology
The doctors of the antiquity often mentioned it as a plant that had great medicinal value. Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used it to treat colds, coughs, dysmenorrhoea, insomnia and sore throats. They believed that it stimulates the nervous system and heart. For many centuries the Arabs drank pennyroyal, because it was considered a sexual stimulant.
Health Benefits
Pennyroyal, with its rich aromatic essential oil, relieves flatulence and abdominal colic due to gases. It alleviates spasmodic pain and soothes anxiety. It has sudorific, stimulant and emmenagogue action. Pennyroyal tea is aromatic and refreshing.
In Ancient Greece they added pennyroyal in their bath water because they appreciated its nice aroma and rich essential oil. In folk medicine, inter alia, it was used by smokers for the "cleansing" of the lungs.
St. John’s Wort
St. John’s Wort - Hypericum perforatum L.
St. John's Wort is a flowering, medicinal, aromatic plant and its main feature is its beautiful bright golden flowers.
History & Mythology
Its role in medieval superstition was significant, as they believed that the use of the herb drove demons away.
The common name of the plant St John's Wort, comes from the habit of burning used bunches of the plant in bonfires to "absorb" evil, "the day of remembrance of the beheading of St. John the Baptist. By burning them, people believed they burned the "evil".
Galen and Dioscorides used it as a diuretic, emmenagogue, against burns, and to treat sciatica.
Paracelsus and Aetios recommend it for the treatment of depression and various similar disorders, as well as a healing agent.
Health Benefits
It is known since antiquity for its capacity to tackle skin problems, heal wounds and strengthen the immune system.
St John's Wort is of particular scientific interest, perhaps because it contains a unique herbal substance with antidepressant properties. International studies have found that plants of the Hypericum genus, exhibit antidepressant, healing and antiseptic/antimicrobial action.
Thyme
Thyme - Thymus capitatus L.
It has a very strong and pleasant aroma. It blooms in the summer and small purples flowers grow on the top of its branches. The best type of Greek honey, thyme honey, is produced from its flowers!
History & Mythology
Ancient Greeks used thyme as an incense in the altars during sacrificial ceremonies. To gain courage, strength and energy before the battle, Alexander the Great and the Roman soldiers bathed in water with thyme. Hence its name which derives from the ancient Greek verb for "sacrifice" as well as the noun for courage and mental strength.
Thyme has been known since ancient times for its medicinal properties. Dioscorides and Hippocrates mentioned that thyme has expectorant, thermal and diuretic properties. Pliny recommended it as an antidote to snake bites but also for headache.
Health Benefits
The leaves and flowers of thyme are currently used either in cooking for flavouring purposes or in medicine. It is an excellent cure for indigestion. Thymol which contains the essential oil is used as an antioxidant and antiseptic in respiratory and digestive infections. It soothes a sore throat and has been proved to be an excellent remedy for cough. It is also widely used due to its stimulant and digestive properties. It stimulates blood circulation and contributes to mental clarity.
Pot Marigold
Pot Marigold- Calendula Officinalis L.
A flower transformed into a drink that takes care of our health. Besides its beauty, this plant is valuable for many other reasons.
History & Mythology
The first Christians planted pot marigold next to the statues of Virgin Mary, thus calling the plant "Mary's Gold". This is the origin of the English name of the plant “Marigold”.
The Latin name of the plant comes from the word kalendae, meaning "first day of the month". It was given to it by the ancient Romans, who observed that the plant flowers blossomed in calends, each month. The name "officinalis" reflects the traditional medicinal use of the plant.
Pot marigold is found in many ancient cultures which often used it as a healing herb and as an ingredient in cooking and cosmetics. Its flowers are considered edible and can be used in salads, soups or - in the place of saffron - to give colour.
Health Benefits
Pot marigold is one of the best herbs for treating local skin problems. Internally, its action against inflammation or ulceration of the digestive system is significant. Thus, it can be used for the relief of gastric and duodenal ulcers, and has cholagogue, emmenagogue and digestive properties. It has remarkable antifungal activity and can be used to combat such infections.
Hairy Rockrose
Hairy Rockrose – Cistus incanus L.
Cistus cincanus is also known as hairy rockrose. It is a spontaneous aromatic low shrub with wrinkled pink petals which is considered one of the jewels of the Mediterranean landscape.
History & Mythology
It is an aromatic, medicinal and beekeeping plant known since antiquity. Historically, there are reports of the hairy rockrose by Herodotus and Dioscorides, as well as Theophrastus.
According to the mythology the Olympian gods quarrelled over this plant. The gods wanted to give the plant healing properties, while the goddesses, enchanted by its beauty wanted to give it cosmetic properties. This conflict resulted in the plant acquiring both properties.
Health Benefits
Extensive scientific studies confirm that the hairy rockrose has a high concentration of the valuable polyphenols. It has many beneficial properties, starting with its amazing ability to destroy free radicals. It also has a highly effective combination of antioxidants that detoxifies the body and eliminates toxic heavy metals.
The hairy rockrose significantly strengthens the immune system and produces herbal teas with a strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and rejuvenating action.
Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena – Aloysia triphylla
A beautiful plant with a unique flavour, and various beneficial properties.
History & Mythology
Lemon verbena is a native herb of South America, from where it was brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 17th century. Lemon verbena has adapted so well in our country that many think that it is a Greek native plant.
Thanks to its small beautiful flowers, in white or pale green color, and the distinctive lemon scent that emerges from its leaves when they are rubbed together, lemon verbena of lemongrass, as it is usually called in Greece, is one of the most beautiful aromatic plants. It has been widely used and is beloved due to its unique lemon taste, and the balance it provides between physical and mental health.
Health Benefits
Lemon verbena tea offers a range of therapeutic benefits to the body: it is known mainly for the diuretic action of its leaves, which helps in the detoxification and elimination of unnecessary fluids from the body and thus the treatment of cellulite.
Traditionally lemon verbena has been used for treating gastric disorders such as indigestion, but also to relieve headaches and migraines. Due to its antipyretic action, it is also used to treat colds. Finally, lemon verbena is believed to soothe both the body and spirit.
Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm – Melissa officinalis L.
Lemon balm is a herb that belongs to the Lamiaceae family and the Mentha genus. It grows spontaneously in Southern Europe and particularly in Mediterranean countries.
History & Mythology
It was named "melissa" due to the preference of bees for its nectar-rich white flowers. Its medicinal properties have been known since antiquity. The ancient Greeks and Romans used lemon balm for wounds and bites of snakes and scorpions.
The Arab physician Avicenna said that lemon balm "makes the heart happy".
It is rumoured that in the Middle Ages, alchemists used lemon balm to prepare youth elixirs.
It is a precious plant that leaves a lemon scent when its leaves are rubbed thanks to the essential oils it contains (citral, citronellal, linalool, geraniol).
Health Benefits
Lemon balm is an excellent herb that treats indigestion. Due to its antidepressant properties, it is more effective when there is indigestion associated with anxiety or depression, since its mild sedative oils relieve tension and stress. Lemon balm has a stimulating effect on the heart and circulatory system.
In modern herbal medicine, it is mainly used to treat disorders of the nervous system and prevent ulcer development.
Its consumption can help relieve anxiety and stress, and is also effective in cases of insomnia.
Oregano
Oregano - Origanum vulgare L.
Wild Greek oregano is known for thousands of years as the best in the world. It enhances the flavour of food, its aroma is appetizing, it puts a smile on your face and revives your passion for life! 
History & Mythology
Since antiquity, the Greeks knew the therapeutic value of Greek oregano. Theophrastus, the father of Botany, in his book "Enquiry into plants" says a lot about the "white oregano", as well as Dioscorides in his work "Materia Medica". Hippocrates, the father of medicine, used oregano in a multitude of diseases, especially those affecting the respiratory system.
In Ancient Greece it was a symbol of joy and happiness as the wedding wreaths used to contain oregano branches. Oregano was used as an aromatic, flavouring and healing plant.
Of great interest are the notes of the philosopher Avicenna referring to Oregano: 'in tea form, it removes all kinds of fluid from the lungs".
Health Benefits
In folk medicine oregano has been used as a treatment for colds and respiratory diseases, poisoning, colic, gynaecological problems, etc.
Nowadays, international studies show and prove that oregano is perhaps the strongest medicine of nature.
It is an aromatic plant widely used in traditional remedies, but also for cooking, with high nutritional value. It is often used in the treatment of colds and flu. Due to its antiseptic properties it is ideal for mouthwashes and it helps in the treatment of problems such as inflammation of the mouth and throat. Headaches, especially when due to tension, can be relieved by oregano tea.
Oregano has stimulant, sudorific, antiseptic, expectorant, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Mountain Tea
Mountain Tea - Sideritis cretica
This small shrub grows in mountainous areas throughout Greece and is known from ancient times with the name Sideritis. It is said that it took its name from the teeth of the calyx of the flower, which resemble a spearhead.
History & Mythology
Dioscorides considered mountain tea beneficial to the blood vessels of the heart and, due to its healing action he used it for wounds caused by iron weapons.
Traditionally, in Greece, mountain tea is much preferred especially during the winter months because of its beneficial effect on colds and infections of the respiratory and urinary tract.
Scientific research in Germany argues that mountain tea may protect against Alzheimer's disease.
Health Benefits
Laboratory studies show that mountain tea contains numerous components, mainly flavonoids. They also confirm the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial and analgesic properties of the plant.
From way back it has been more of a medicine than a beverage, due to its soothing and toning properties that are enhanced with the addition of honey. It is invigorating and good for stomach troubles, a diuretic and thus detoxifying. The infusion of the plant is relaxing and facilitates sleep.
Nettle
Nettle - Urtica dioica L.
Originating from Europe, nettle belongs to the Urtica genus of the Urticaceae family. It is an excellent detoxifier, and it is revitalizing and nutritious.
History & Mythology
Nettle has been highly regarded since antiquity. The father of medicine Hippocrates recommended many natural remedies based on nettle.
It was used as a diuretic, as a laxative, but also to relieve the pain of arthritis and myalgias.
In traditional medicine nettle was also used for boosting hair growth, and against oily hair and dandruff.
It has been used for centuries as a herbal remedy for diseases of the urinary system.
Health Benefits
Nettle has one of the widest ranges of application among herbs: it strengthens and tones the whole body with rich nutritional value as it is high in vitamin C and iron. Due to its diuretic action, nettle improves metabolic function and consequently contributes in maintaining normal weight and battling cellulite. It is an excellent detoxifier, and it is revitalizing and nutritious.
Sage
Sage - Salvia triloba L.
It has been known since the antiquity as "The Greek tea" thanks to the beneficial sun of Greece, which is exactly what the plant needs to grow.
History & Mythology
Since ancient times, sage has been linked to longevity. It has been used as a multidrug by Hippocrates, Dioscorides, Galen and Aetius. Ancient Greeks appreciated that it improves memory and enhances brain function.
Women in ancient Greece greeted men from the war with a drink made of sage to "stimulate" fertility. The Chinese appreciate it so much that they exchanged two crates of their best tea for a box of dried leaves of the herb.
Health Benefits
Sage is the conventional remedy for the inflammation of the mouth, throat and tonsils, since its essential oils soothe the mucous membranes. It can be drunk, but also used as a mouthwash, as it helps in the treatment of the inflammation and bleeding of the gums (gingivitis), the tongue (glossitis) or generalized inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis). It is extremely effective for mouth ulcers (thrush). As a mouthwash, it helps in the treatment of laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis. It is used for indigestion. It reduces sweating when taken internally and can be used to reduce the production of breast milk.
Carminative, antispasmodic, antiseptic, astringent, antiperspirant.
Chamomile
Chamomile – Chamomilla recutita L.
Chamomile is an aromatic plant that looks like a daisy and tastes like an apple - hence the name, which means “apple of the earth” in ancient Greek.
History & Mythology
The first references come from Egypt, where it was mainly used as an antipyretic. Hippocrates, Ariston - a physician prior to Hippocrates, Dioscorides and other ancient Greeks and Romans used it to treat a multitude of diseases.
Today, modern science has confirmed numerous therapeutic effects of the plant as antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antiseptic, healing
Health Benefits
It is an excellent mild sedative, which due to its relaxant action, helps insomnia and relieves tension. It soothes stomach troubles and alleviates indigestion and inflammation, such as gastritis. It can be used for mouthwashes in inflammations such as gingivitis and eye washes, when there is inflammation and irritation.
