The 2nd Panhellenic Congress of Ethnopharmacology, themed “From the Vikos Traditional Healers (Vikoyiatroi) to Modern Phytotherapy,” took place on March 1-3, 2024 in Ioannina, Greece. Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) presented on “Examining Ancient and Modern Uses of Melissa Officinalis.”

Melissa officinalis (lemon balm) is a common garden herb used in Western herbal medicine. It is featured in Greek mythology and was written about by Dioscorides and Pliny the Elder, physicians in the 1st century CE. The herb, easily recognizable by its distinct lemony scent, has many medicinal benefits for the nervous, respiratory, and digestive systems, and can be useful as a topical vulnerary. Many of these medicinal applications demonstrate continuity between antiquity and today.

The Panhellenic Congress of Ethnopharmacology, hosted by the Hellenic Society of Ethnopharmacology, brought together herbalists, scientists, pharmacists, and historians to exchange current research on medicinal plants. Alain Touwaide from the Institute for the Preservation of Medical Traditions presented the keynote presentation describing the botanical significance of the Epirus region, weaving together historical references of the Vikos doctors with the medicinal plants they relied upon for healing a variety of ailments.

Eleni Maloupa, director of the Balkan Botanic Garden of Kroussia, presented on the important activities and plant diversity of the botanic garden, which is dedicated to the conservation of native plants of Greece and the Balkans.

The conference included a hike in Vikos Gorge, where we spotted hellebore (Helleborus) and snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis), which may have been the "moly" plant that protected Odysseus from Circe's potion. The gorge is part of the Pindus Mountains, which is known for its impressive biodiversity and natural beauty. We also visited several scenic mountain villages located in Zagori, a region recently named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis); the Voidomatis River of Vikos Gorge; an impressive plane tree in Vitsa village; a patch of lemon balm

After the tour, Maria further explored the area and was delighted to find a patch of wild lemon balm on her meanderings. It was the perfect way to end all the activities of the conference.

On October 13-19, 2024, Maria will return to the region to host the Herbal Rituals & Oracles Tour in Epirus with artist Mira Karakitsou. The tour includes activities exploring the rich botanical and historical significance of the Epirus region that have left an indelible mark on modern herbal medicine.

Join us for botanic hikes, herbal medicine workshops, cultural immersion, and sightseeing of one of the most beautiful areas of Greece.