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The Herbal Column

Modern Musings on Ancient Greek Herbalism

Maria Christodoulou Maria Christodoulou

From the Herbarium: Was it True? Exploring the Magical Uses of Bay Laurel and Mandrake in Antiquity

For much of human history, medicine has been based on traditional folk practices and natural remedies. Exploring both tradition and science, however, can provide a greater framework for understanding the history of herbalism and modern medicine. Let’s explore how the herbs bay laurel (Laurus nobilis) and mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) were used in antiquity and the scientific research that either proves or denies these plants’ indicated effects. Were these ancient claims true?

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Maria Christodoulou Maria Christodoulou

From the Herbal Academy: The Herbs That Got Away - Rediscovering Silphium and Other Missing Historical Plants

With a landscape brightened by vivid colors and infused with aromatic scents of ocean and mountains, the ancient Mediterranean region provided a sensational feast for the senses. Many of the historical plants that the various ancient civilizations in this region gathered for food, medicine, and religion remain in use today. Yet, the story of some of these historical plants, for various reasons, ended too soon…

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View fullsize Saffron (Crocus sativus) is the most expensive spice worldwide. Blooming in late summer and early autumn, the plant's bright stigmas and styles, called threads, have been plucked since ancient times for use in foods, medicines, and dyes. There is evi
View fullsize Athena was the goddess of wisdom, courage, and strength.💪 She was born from her father Zeus's forehead, already dressed in war attire and prepared to take on fierce battles. She became a guardian of high morals and strategic intellect. The city of #
View fullsize Sage (Salvia officinalis) - While the word itself means profoundly wise, the herb also bears its divine providence. The ancient Greeks believed that sage protected one from evil and conferred wisdom. 🌿The sacred herb was dedicated to Zeus, king of t
View fullsize Apollo, the son of Zeus, was the god of music, poetry, healing, prophecy, and disease. Most notably, he had the power to avert evil and relieve humankind of plagues. 🙏 He is often depicted as a youth with long hair crowned with a wreath of laurel, h
View fullsize Rose (Rosa canina) lifts the mood, especially for those suffering from grief and loss. 🌹The flower invokes love, peace, and hope. Called "queen of flowers" by Sappho (5th century BCE), the plant was sacred to Aphrodite, goddess of lov
View fullsize Rose (Rosa canina) was called "queen of flowers" by Sappho (5th century BCE), the poetess from #Lesbos famed for her love lyrics. 💕 The universally beloved roses were breathed into life by the nymph Chloris, who became Flora, the goddess o
View fullsize Hekate was the goddess of magic, witchcraft, ghosts, and crossroads. In surviving art, she is typically depicted holding twin torches of yew, often guiding Persephone back from the underworld.🏺 "Torch-bearing Hekate holy daughter of great-bosom
View fullsize Zeus, king of the gods, of the sky and thunder, was the son of Kronos and Rhea.⚡ As an infant, he was hidden in the cave of Dikte on Crete to be suckled by the goat Amalthea and fed manna from the ash tree by the tree nymphs, Meliai. Fraxinus ornus,
View fullsize You deserve to feel your best! 🙌 A mini-herbal consultation can help you with a non-serious health concern. Each call is 15-min with clinical herbalist Maria Christodoulou, after which you will receive a personalized tea blend sent via @usps.officia
View fullsize You deserve to feel your best! 🌸 An herbal consultation can help you address the causes of your symptoms and get you back on track to health. Each call is 45-min with clinical herbalist Maria Christodoulou, after which you will receive a detailed he
View fullsize Hi, I'm the Greek Herbalist! 🇬🇷 Behind the scenes is me, Maria Christodoulou. I launched The Greek Herbalist during the pandemic in New York in the summer of 2020. I am a trained Clinical Herbalist and graduate of @arborvitae_ny.🌿 I earned a Bache
View fullsize TheGreekHerbalist.com is now live! 🙌 I am excited to blend my two passions - ancient Greek history and herbal medicine - to create something fun and educational. More content will be added regularly, including a Shop! 🇬🇷 In the meantime, enjoy the
View fullsize The new website is almost live and I'm excited to show you a sneak peak! My inspiration for @thegreekherbalist started many years ago, first as a curiosity about how the ancient Greeks survived and thrived without modern medicines, and then late
View fullsize Borage (Borago officinalis) is for courage. Steeped in wine, it was the drink of choice of Homer, as it had the power to help forget sorrow.🙏According to Dioscorides, the plant can "comfort the heart, purge melancholy and quiet the lunatic pers
View fullsize Pedanius Dioscorides (c. 40-90 CE) was a Greek medical botanist and physician who served in the Roman army. His five-volume encyclopedia, De Materia Medica, or Περὶ ὕλης ἰατρικῆς, was a
View fullsize Circe was a powerful sorceress of mythology who could hide the moon to darken the skies and destroy her enemies with poisonous juices.✨Most notably, she transformed some of Odysseus' men into pigs using magical herbs and incantations.
View fullsize Hygieia was the ancient Greek goddess of health and hygiene.⚕️ She was the daughter and chief attendant to Asklepios, god of medicine, and along with her four sisters Panacea (Cure-All), Iaso (Recovery), Aceso (Healing), and Aglaïa (Glow of Good
View fullsize A color parchment illustration of the nymph Euresis, goddess of discovery, presenting a seated Dioscorides with a mandrake root, which bears a human likeness. When harvested, the root released a horrible scream capable of killing anyone who heard it.
View fullsize Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) was used as an aphrodisiac, associated with the goddess of love, Aphrodite, and known as the "love-apple of the ancients."🥰 In Greek mythology, the plant is said to have grown from the fluid that spil
View fullsize Agnodice (fourth century BCE) is considered the first female physician in ancient Greece during a time when it was forbidden for women to practice medicine. After witnessing countless women dying as a result of refusal by male doctors to treat them,