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Dittany of Crete ( Origanum dictamnus L. ) is used for making herbal infusions (tea) και
Vermouth by Italian companies.
In Greece, there are 20 kinds of wild thyme. The most important are: Thymus capitatus,
Thymus serpyllum, Thymus atticus, Thymus sibthorpii etc.
Lavender has been cultivated for centuries. Its beneficial properties were known to ancient
Greeks and Romans. It took after its name from the Latin verb ‘lavare’ that means ‘wash’,
‘swim’.
Balm ( Melissa officinalis L. ) is seen in several areas of our country (Macedonia, Thrace
etc). It comes in different local names like ‘Melissaki’, ‘Melissovotano’ etc.
Mountain Tea or Sideritis, is mainly used for making herbal infusions. This beverage is
rich in iron, it is fragrant and it is considered to have healing properties for ailments of
the stomach. It is stimulating, sudorific and expectorant. Finally, due to its anti-anxiety
properties, it is more popular that common tea (Ceylon etc) and good for insomnia.
In Greece, we come across Broadleaf plantain ( Plantago major L. ) with different names,
like ‘Chinopodi’, ‘Eptanevro’, ‘Psiloxorto’ etc.
We have been using rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L. ) in cooking or as a food
preservative for centuries. Not to mention that we still use rosemary sprigs in bottles of
olive oil to infuse its delicious fragrance.
Belladonna ( Atropa belladonna L. ) is also known as ‘deadly nightshade’. The name Atropa
comes from Atropos (=unturnable), one of the three Fates in ancient Greek mythology
that cut the thread of life. In ancient Greece it was used as anesthetic.
Oregano’s healing properties are attributed to its polyphenols, flavonoids and its bitter
substances contained in its essential oil. Its vital components are Carvacrol and Thymol.
Clary sage ( Salvia sclarea L. ) grows wild in many parts of Greece and it is known with the name
‘Aigiannis’.‘Sphakos (=Lichen) of Theophrastus’ may be the common sage ( Salvia pomifera L. ),
which is also known as ‘Elelisphakos o milophoros’.
Liquorice root ( Glycyrrhiza glabra L. ) contains glucose, sucrose, saponins and mainly
glycyrrhizin, which is 60 times sweeter than sugar and can be used as a substitute for
diabetics.
Cocksfoot grass ( Digitalis lanata Ehrh. ) is used for making cardiotonic drugs.
Savory ( Satureja thrymba L. ) is grown for its dry matter (leaves - flowers) and for its
essential oil that contains Carvacrol and Thymol.
Camomile [ Matricaria chamomilla L. ή Chamomilla recutita L. (Rausch)] is very popular
and grows wild in many parts of our country. There are many regional names like ‘the
flower of St. George’, ‘Martolouloudo’ etc.
Pennyroyal ( Mentha pulegium L. ) has significant properties. It is expectorant, anti-
asthmatic, anti-bronchial, anti-pertussis, emmenagogue, anti-arthritic, diuretic, anti-
rheumatic, anti-diarrheal, it is considered to have healing properties for ailments of the
stomach, it is anticonvulsive and it is used as anesthetic.
Common Valerian ( Valeriana officinalis L. ) is grown for its root and flowers. Its root has
calming properties, whereas its flowers are used for making drugs for biodynamic farming.
The most important kinds of Sideritis ( Mountain Tea ) that grow wild in Greece are:
1) Sideritis athoa (Tea of Mount Athos), 2) Sideritis clandestine (Tea of Mount Taygetus),
3) Sideritis euboea (Tea of Euboea), 4) Sideritis raeseri (Tea of Mount Parnassus),
5) Sideritis scardica (Tea of Mount Olympus), 6) Sideritis syriaca (Malotira).
Oregano oil has biological activities against several pathogens liable to affect plants,
animals and human beings.
Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium L. ) was named after Achilles who, according to Greek
mythology, used it to stop the blood when he got hurt from Hector.3 About aromatic plants
In Greece, there are 15 kinds of balsam wild plants.
The most important are: Hypericum perforatum L.,
H. Barbatum, H. Athoum Boiss & Orph,
H. Olympicum L., H. Crispum L., H. Tetrapterum L.