On a warm autumn day in October, I took a leisurely stroll through the National Garden in Athens with Nadia Soufli, a reporter for the popular Greek newspaper, TO BHMA (The Vima). Having heard that I lead a Myths & Medicine Plant Walk in the garden, Nadia asked for a tour to learn about the plants in the garden that have therapeutic benefits and connections to ancient Greek traditions.

The hot and dry Mediterranean climate of Greece can make it challenging to maintain a healthy garden. During the past several months, I have had the opportunity to visit flourishing gardens in Athens and on the islands of Evia and Syros.

For the past two years, our Herbal Medicine Tour on Kythera Honoring Juliette de Bairacli Levy has taken place in late June at the start of the summer season. The herbal legacy of Kythera is made possible by the generosity of the plants that bring us together each year to celebrate the gifts from those who have come before us.

A recap of our Soul Blossoming in Nature Yoga and Herbal Retreat on Silver Island on April 21-27 and April 28-May 4, 2024. Silver Island is a family-owned, private Greek island in the Aegean Sea offering an exclusive yoga retreat experience. Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) offered herbal inspired workshops for two weeks on the island to kick-start the yoga retreat season that will run until October.

The mountains of Greece cover 80% of the country’s landmass. They are currently more at risk than at any time in their history. The aesthetic beauty of these landscapes, their phenomenal history and culture, and above all, their high environmental diversity are increasingly threatened due to several main threats.

An interview with Valia Vlatsiou, an expert practitioner in Thai massage and yin yoga, and the television presenter of Βότανα Καρποί της Γης (Herbs: Fruits of the Earth). Valia and Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) are offering the Herbal Medicine & Wellness Retreat on Samothrace on August 25-30, 2024.

On Saturday, April 9, 2024, the Herbalists Without Borders, Athens Chapter hosted a public groundbreaking garden event to establish The Dioscorides Garden on the iconic grounds of Zappeion.

Maria Christodoulou had been living in New York City for years when she decided it was finally time to move to Greece and dive more fully into the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. In this episode of HerbMentor Radio, Maria weaves personal stories, science, and history together to offer us a beautiful peek into traditional and contemporary Greek herbalism practices.

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.”

An interview with Dominik Brun of Venikos Wine & Culture Travels. His knowledge of Nemea in the Peloponnese region is focused on organic products, wines, and gastronomy. Dominik and Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) are offering the Herbal Medicine & Culture Tour in the Peloponnese on May 11-18, 2024.

In a podcast with A Temple Wild, Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) discusses her experiences as a first generation Greek-American, what it was like encountering the Greek landscape for the first time, how she went from a classics major to studying herbalism to now living in Greece and, among many things, leading the way in herbal immersion tours all over the country.

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a tree in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and North America with a rich history of use in many traditions. The berries, flowers, leaves, and bark have all been used medicinally for thousands of years. Learn about the health benefits of elderberry and how it can support your health during the winter season - and throughout the year.

Upcoming virtual class on Sunday, September 24 with The Greek Herbalist and hosted by Rowan + Sage: The ancient Greeks blended myth, magic, and medicine into their daily rituals and spiritual practices. In this workshop, learn about their ancient practices and the plants that they relied on for healing and inspiration.

Traveling through thousands of years of ancient history, we will explore some of the Greek gods and goddesses and their connection to the plant world, the underground practice of magic, and the timeless power of medicinal plants that we continue to rely on today.

From The National Herald: “Greek herbs and traditions with the land are becoming increasingly popular for visitors to learn about during their visit to Greece. Maria Christodoulou, The Greek Herbalist, has developed educational herbal tours and academic programs in Greece that teach about the traditional uses of medicinal plants from both ancient and modern times.”

Greece is a beautiful country surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Ionian seas. Ranked as one of the sunniest countries in Europe, Greece is a popular vacation destination for visitors from around the world who seek to experience its exquisite beaches and seaside resorts. In addition to its promise of fun in the sun, this small, delightful country also provides a haven for a diversity of flora and fauna. From its seaside to its mountains, Greece is a treasure trove for exploring herbal wonders which provide an impressive display all year round.

Greece is an extraordinary and vibrant country in Europe. The country’s unique location in the Mediterranean region provides a haven for a diversity of flora and fauna. Ranked as one of the sunniest countries in Europe, Greece is a treasure for exploring herbal bioregionalism and the impact it has had on both ancient and modern civilizations living on this picturesque land.