Anna Magkiosi

            Greece

    for eTwinning team

Medicinal and aromatic herbs and plants

Herbs are great plants, as they have so many uses.

Although most herbs are aromatic they can easy be used for cooking and medicinal purposes, but sometimes the aroma is all you need.

 All of aromatic herbs have essential oils that are used in aromatherapy, but sometimes just having a walk through the garden, inhaling all of the fresh scents from your own aromatic garden is therapy too! We can grow some of these  herbs in our yard or in pots and use them when it needs. 

                         Herbs in our life !

Since antiquity, Greeks were using aromatic plants for their healing attributes and for their nutritional value. 

Hippocrates, the Greek physician and “father of medicine”, advocated that the  use of herbs, fresh air, exercise, and good diet could restore the balance of an ill health .

Nowadays,  herbs are still part of the healing tradition of Europe and North America. Despite the use of sophisticated drugs to cure disease, many people still make use of traditional plant remedies.

The international industry are using the aromatic plants for the production of cosmetics, medicines and foods and people in all  countries enjoy the therapeutic benefits of a variety of herbs: Chamomile,  sage, mountain tea, mint, spearmint, thyme, fennel, aniseed, lavender ,oregano and lot of other herbs .

With a return to traditional values, more and more people are reverting to natural products in their daily lives and rediscovering therapies that spring from the depths of time.

 Discussing on what people were dealing with (sickness, poverty, war, climatic conditions more wild winter, etc.

Children learned  that in the past people used lot of herbs because there had not so many medicines like today.

People in the past used the herbs for many types of sickness and grandmothers still can give some useful advises !

Today we still use herbs, so let's learn what have inside the  grandmother's cupboard and what kind of advices can she give us!

Levander

                 Kindergarten of Rizario,Greece

         Lavender is considered the best "medicine" for:

                  insect bites, insomnia and headaches.

Its healing properties are due to the fact that lavender is a powerful antiseptic and has a strong soothing effect.

Grandma's tips

For insect bites, dissolve a few drops of lavender essential oil 

in a little water and apply on the skin. 

To relax and sleep, dissolve a few drops of lavender essential oil

 in warm water and inhale the steam.

Do you have a headache? Gently massage to your temples with lavender essential oil and you will be relieved immediately.

     Thyme

The best "medicine" for: indigestion, cough and skin diseases.

Thyme contains plenty of thymol, a substance that helps a lot in the digestion of fatty foods. It is also considered a powerful antispasmodic, so it fights whooping cough and softens the throat. Finally, it has a strong antiseptic and bactericidal action, so it is particularly effective in skin diseases and especially in the "athlete's foot"

How to use it: To "sweeten" your sore throat, the best solution is to chew a little Thyme to gargle with its decoction. To "break" the dandelion, add 2-3 tablespoons of honey. If you want to enjoy a sober sleep, place 2-3 Thyme branches under your pillow.

     Chamomile

 A cup of chamomile before a meal to whet the appetite. It helps to sleep and calms headaches, aching teeth and ribs.

Fights colds and soothes sore throat and stomach pain.

The extract of chamomile makes a perfect lotion for facial cleansing and the sensitive  skin of babies ,and gives vivid highlights in blond hair.

Also compresses with chamomile, soothes the inflammation of the eyelids.

Vilniaus r. Mickūnų vaikų lopšelis-darežlis

Mint 

Peppermint and mint have a number of properties which help us with specific medical illnesses. Mint contains essential oil, whit menthol, menthone, tannins, flavonoids, pinene, bitter, mineral salts. It is used for the symptoms associated with digestive problems. Peppermint also has a beneficial effect on the liver.

Mint is used in the kichen for tea  and addition to cool drinks. 

It can be also added as herbs in diffrent tropical dishes. 

Grondmather's tips:

Tea from mint has calming effect on our gastric problems.

Use:

2 tea spoons of dry leaves of mint, boiling water. Pour dry leaves with hot water, cover with a small plate, wait 15-30 minutes. 

                                              Rosemary

Truly remarkable aromatic plant, with its small needles rich in beneficial essential oils.The active ingredients of rosemary have a very high antioxidant power and are able to block many types of harmful free radicals. As an infusion or decoction it is excellent for purifying the liver, and as an herbal tea it is an excellent tonic and digestive.It can also be used to calm abdominal spasms and bloating; thanks to a powerful balsamic it is indicated to counter cough, cold and fever; therefore very useful in winter against seasonal ailments.

Rosemary essential oil restores strength and energy to the body and according to some "old grandmother's remedies" the infusion would also have a certain aphrodisiac power. Used on the hair, it stimulates its regrowth and prevents premature baldness and alopecia.

                    Dandelion Honey Recipe:

EQUINACEA

Vila Franca das Naves Kindergarten,AET

EQUINACEA 

Medicinal plant where roots and flowers are used to keep the immune system active and healthy. Eynetaceous contains a compound known as equinacein that protects healthy cells from viruses and bacteria and is particularly beneficial in colds, flu, sore throat, sinusitis, hay fever, bronchitis, thrush, lymph node hyperplasia, ear infections, gingivitis, enlarged prostate, urinary tract infections and fungal infections. Equinacea is also a blood purifier and has anti-inflammatory properties. It is also used as a topical disinfectant and analgesic, used as an ointment to help heal reduce pain and swelling associated with psoriasis, eczema, skin irritations, boils, scratches, wounds, insect bites, bee stings, burns and hemorrhoids. As a supplement can be taken as a capsule, tablet, extract, tincture or in infusio.

CORIANDER  - Coriandrum sativum

Fresh leaves. Use as a food condiment (açordas, fish dishes, meats, salads, etc.); medicinal preparations.

Ripe fruits: whole or powdered as a food condiment (sauces, meats, desserts, condiments for conservation: pickles, etc.); medicinal preparations.

Medicinal uses (powdered seeds, liquid extracts; essential oil): digestive problems, appetite stimulant; expetorante, the essential oil is fungicide and bactericidal and is used industrially in liqueurs, perfumery, among others.

                                   Basil 

Essential oil has a stimulating effect of appetite and digestion and externally has an antiseptic and healing effect. 

Natural medicine uses basil in unsalted diets as a seasoning, due to its intense aroma. 

It is also used to season meat and flavor vinegars and has a tradition in Mediterranean cuisine.mmon names: Basil, alfádega, alfavaca, basilic, royal-herb, large leaf manjerico.

 Chamaemelum nobile L. 

2nd Special Kindergarten of Thessaloniki

Chamomile is considered one of the most useful medicinal herbs! It includes many components, such as flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, which are responsible for its medicinal applications. Its use is mainly indicated for the treatment of mild skin irritation, anxiety, inflammation and as a sedative. It is beneficial against various inflammations, treats skin problems and has antispasmodic properties. It is calming in stress situations, migraines, neuralgia and dizziness and is used against insomnia. It also boosts the immune system and helps the digestive system.

Siderite/Mountain Tea

The siderite plant, also known as mountain tea, is widely used in Mediterranean countries, including Greece, as a decoction (tea) due to its beneficial effects. About 150 species of the genus Sideritis have been recorded in the Mediterranean region, where it seems to be the center of origin of the plant. It is considered to contain many antioxidant substances valuable for the body. It is a strong astringent and is used against diarrhea, colitis and colic of the digestive system. Digestive soothing, diaphoretic, detoxifying, warming and antispasmodic for the respiratory system. It is especially effective in treating colds, nasal congestion, respiratory problems and persistent cough. It is tonic and diuretic, helping in cases of nephrolithiasis.

Hypericum perforatum

Hypericum perforatum has been known since ancient times for the effective treatment of dermatological problems, wound healing and strengthening of the immune system. Its yellow flowers bloom on its tops from June to September. When light falls on them, they show translucent spots and black-red dots, where colored essential oils and resins are found. The ancient Spartans treated their wounds after battles, while the healers of the time suggested it to treat depression and stomach ulcers. with spathe oil, smears or light rubs are made on the part that hurts, or we can still apply local pads with impregnated gauze. It is also ideal for any therapeutic or relaxing massage – it can be enriched with essential oilsaccordingly.

6th Kindergarten of Tirnavos, Greece

The flowers and fruits of Rosa canina are often used for spoon sweets, jams, jellies, syrups and hot drinks, soups, drinks, rhododendron and more. Rosehip oils help fight premature aging, prevent fine lines and wrinkles, and fight stretch marks. The fruits of the wild rose ripen in late summer and early autumn have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and are a rich source of various micronutrients (e.g. vitamin C) and help reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and the risk of atherosclerotic plaque formation. They have also been used as laxatives, diuretics, antirheumatic, analgesics, as well as to treat diseases such as colds, bronchitis, kidney stones, skin disorders, hypertension, arthritis, etc.

Urtica

Sage/Salvia officinalis