Thyme, is native herb to southern Europe and Mediterranean regions. The word (Thyme), stems from the Greek verb “thyo” meaning to offer incense or sacrifice. This herb is symbolic of courage and activity and was used widely by the ancients to treat hookworm.In ancient Greek times, thyme was a symbol of graceful elegance. Thyme has been used in Greece in both food and medicine since ancient times. Thyme has a specific action on the respiratory system and is commonly used for complaints such as coughs and asthma. It can also help relieve congestion and is used for sinus congestion and pain.

It can be really helpful with gastrointestinal complaints as well, such as stomachaches, diarrhea, and flatulence. Some find it helpful against skin disorders, such as acne. Thyme contains 1-2% essential oil. The main component of thyme essential oil at 20-54% is thymol (or otherwise thyme camphor), it has uses in perfumery and dentistry. Thymol has an antiseptic effect and is the main ingredient in many commercial mouthwashes, such as Listerine. Before the advent of modern antibiotics, thyme essential oil was used to apply gauze. Thymol has also been shown to be effective in fighting the fungus that often infects toenails and it is also an active ingredient in some alcohol-free herbal hand sanitizers.

It is also a popular herb that is used in Greek cooking. Its taste is very strong, slightly pungent and rich. Compined with the dried flowers, they are used as a spice to flavor various foods in fish, meat, in various sauces and soups.

It is one of the main ingredients of Benedictine liqueur. Many households grow their own in pots and in their gardens, and both the fresh and dried versions of this herb can be purchased in the markets.

Thyme is especially loved by bees and thyme honey is of excellent quality. Those Greek cooks who use thyme regularly say that it gives the dishes a special “touch” that can’t be achieved with any other herb and it’s most often used as a way to complement other herbs in the dish. However, the Ancient Greeks also used it in unexpected ways. For instance, they were fond of using thyme leaves and flowers to perfume their bathwater. In their society, if someone were to smell like thyme, it meant that they were elegant, refined, and of the upper class. The Greeks also commonly burned thyme in sacred temples. The Thyme of Rhodes Island in particular, thanks to the morphology of the ground and the microclimate conditions, is of top quality.

Greek Oregano is the most flavorsome and without a doubt one of the best herbs in the world. Oregano grows practically everywhere in Greece and whether fresh or dried, it adds beneficial properties along with its characteristic fragrance and flavors to many dishes. Most herb lovers agree that mountain Greek Oregano is the most flavorful, and arguably the best oregano in the world. A member of the mint family, Greek Oregano is a robust and distinctive herb used in sauces and marinades since ancient times. Its leaves contain more oil glands than ordinary oregano giving it the potent and pungent flavor of the Mediterranean.

The Greek name Origanon refers to oros “mountain”, and the verb ganousthai “delight in”, because oregano prefers the higher altitudes of the Mediterranean climate. It is said that Afrodite the goddess of beauty, created oregano as a symbol of happiness. Ancient Greeks would crown newly married couples with garlands of oregano as a blessing of happiness upon the couple. The ancient Greeks were also the first to realize the wonderful healing properties of oregano. Rich in vitamin C, oregano also contains calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, potassium, copper, manganese and vitamin A. The essential oil of Greek oregano is considered the best in the world, as recent studies have shown it to have the highest content in carvacrol and thymol, both of which have powerful antioxidant and cancer-fighting properties. It has antibiotic and antiseptic properties as well.  Oregano can relieve intestinal upsets and abdominal pain; it boosts immunity, aids in digestion, improves heart health, aids in bone health, detoxifies the body, and increases energy levels. Oregano is used to treat flu, colds, gingivitis and a sore throat, many use it as a gurgling solution.

This delicious herb has been commonly used for centuries to treat pain, asthma and fatigue. Oregano also has anti-inflammatory properties and is applied topically, oregano is an effective antiseptic because of its high thymol content. When brewed as a mild tea, oregano will even promote good sleep. If you are wondering how you can add this powerful herb into your diet, traditional Greek salads are always garnished with dried oregano, while most Greek roasts, whether it be chicken, fish, lamb or vegetables, include oregano in the recipe while baking. The Oregano of Rhodes Island in particular, thanks to the morphology of the ground and the microclimate conditions, is of top quality.

Sage is a perennial herb grown in regions all over the world and used for its culinary and medicinal properties. Despite its global cultivation, the Greek Sage with its intense aromatic flavor and medicinal value it is simply unique.
Greek sage is an evergreen shrub whose height and width ranges from 60cm to 1m. Its leaves, wide and flat, grow in abundance and form clusters that give the plant a bushy appearance.

The plant produces corymbs of purplish flowers. The herb blooms from early May till the end of June and is collected during the months of June and July. Its preference for dry and rocky locations is the reason why it can be seen growing in regions all over Greece. However, it is lavishly found in South Aegean islands where the landscapes are abundant in mountainous hillsides. The morphology of these islands’ soil, as well as climate conditions, are key to the sweet aromatic odor of Greek Sage which has made it famous worldwide. Greek sage has long been acclaimed for its medicinal properties; the ancient Greek pharmacologist and botanist Dioscorides as well as Pliny and Galen were quick to trace the diuretic, Anti-hemorrhagic and tonic properties of the herb. The scientific name of Sage is Salvia, a derivative from the Latin “salvare” (=to feel well and healthy); and in fact, a look at the health benefits of Sage comes to prove that the herb lives up to its name.

Greek Sage contains intense oils, flavonoids (including diosmetin, apigenin and luteolin) and phenolic acids including rosmarinic acid which functions as an antioxidant and helps prevent diseases of the respiratory tract.
According to published researches, regular sage consumption aids in better brain function, enhances memory and alleviates depression and it also helps prevent Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Sage leaves are commonly used to treat skin conditions and have shown to be effective against acne, eczema and psoriasis.

The flavorful leaves of Greek sage may be used to prepare an herbal tea beverage, rich in healthy benefits. As a tablespoon of sage is a valuable source of vitamin A, calcium, iron, magnesium, B vitamins, thiamin, and riboflavin and offers 43% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin K. Sage can also be used as a seasoning as it goes well with beef, pork and chicken recipes; however, due to its strong flavor it should be used sparingly and early in the cooking process, rather than at the end of cooking like many delicate herbs. In ancient Greece sage was a sacred herb dedicated to Zeus the King of the Gods. Nowadays, little has changed as sage is a precious and essential ingredient studied worldwide. In research published in the US National Library of Medicine/ National Institutes of Health there has been a thorough analysis on the properties of sage potent to ”Prevent and Cure Illnesses such as Obesity, Diabetes, Depression, Dementia, Lupus, Autism, Heart Disease, and Cancer.”

It is apparent that sage is an herb that could have a positive effect on various parts of the body and health aspects.The sage of Rhodes Island in particular, thanks to the morphology of the ground and the microclima, is of top quality.n.

The thrombus (Satureja thymbra) is a native plant that is found throughout Greece. Its name comes from the ancient Greek city of Thymbra, which was located near Troy. The plant is mentioned by Theophrastus and Dioscorides and was very useful in Ancient Greece as it was used as a medicine for bee stings, flavored sauces with it and used vinegar with thrombi as a spice. It is also known as throumbi, thrombus, saturegia, tragoriganos, elder grass and it belongs to the mint family. Its flowers are white-purple , its leaves are dark green and its trunk is woody. It reaches a height of 30-50 cm. Prefers sunny rocky and calcareous soils. It blooms from June to August.

The terrestrial parts are used for therapeutic purposes. Its flowers are mainly useful, the essential oil but, in some cases, the whole plant. The essential oil of the plant is obtained by distilling the flowers, leaves and branches and the best quality is given by the dried plants. Contains active ingredients such as terpene, carvacrol, cineole and thymol.

Thrombus can be used in the following forms.

- Decoction of flowers, trunk and leaves.
- Infusion made from flowers or leaves.
- Patch, dissolve the whole plant.
- Essential Oil

The healing properties of its essential oils, have long been known in ancient times. Known to the ancient Greeks who gave it digestive properties, it was associated with Roman orgies where it may owe its name (satyrus> saturejia), while its planting in the medieval monasteries was forbidden because it was considered a powerful aphrodisiac. The ancient Greeks made wine flavored with thrombus, the thyme wine. In many countries it is still added to digestive liqueurs. During the Middle Ages, thrombus was used as a decoction for sore throats, coughs, toothaches and sores in the mouth, as well as as a disinfectant for various utensils due to its antibacterial and antimicrobial properties. Thrombi is also used in cooking and has a strong taste reminiscent of thyme and oregano.

Its main properties are:

- It acts as a digestive and stimulates the appetite.
- Stimulates the body.
- Helps treat diarrhea, intestinal cramps, colic pain, gastric atony, indigestion, nausea and sourness.
- Helps remove gas from the stomach, relieves bloating and contributes to the proper functioning of digestion.
- Used as an expectorant. Soothes cough and is suitable for bronchitis and asthma.
- Antiseptic, in wounds and insect bites, as it offers immediate relief.

The Thrombus of Rhodes Island in particular, thanks to the morphology of the ground and the microclimate conditions, is of top quality.