+ All Categories
Home > Documents > Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Date post: 02-Jan-2016
Category:
Upload: lev-abbott
View: 60 times
Download: 4 times
Share this document with a friend
Description:
250579 – Natural Europe CIP-ICT PSP-2009-3. Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete. Natural History Museum of Crete. Helen Chatzinikolaki. Aromatic wild herbs. - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Popular Tags:
25
Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete Natural History Museum of Crete Helen Chatzinikolaki 250579 – Natural Europe CIP-ICT PSP-2009-3
Transcript
Page 1: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs

of Crete

Natural History Museum of Crete

Helen Chatzinikolaki

250579 – Natural Europe CIP-ICT PSP-2009-3

Page 2: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Aromatic wild herbs

Page 3: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

A group of plants that contains essential oils into A group of plants that contains essential oils into their tissue. These oils are responsible for the nice their tissue. These oils are responsible for the nice smell of these herbs.smell of these herbs.

Essential oilsEssential oils: : complex mixtures of organic complex mixtures of organic compounds, whose composition varies by species or compounds, whose composition varies by species or variety of plantsvariety of plants. . The aroma of each essential oil is The aroma of each essential oil is the resultant of all its componentsthe resultant of all its components..

The composition of essential oils has not been fully The composition of essential oils has not been fully clarified. We do not know yet the procedure and the clarified. We do not know yet the procedure and the part of the plant where the composition of essential part of the plant where the composition of essential oils, is taken place.oils, is taken place.

Page 4: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Essential oils are found in specific secretion glands

Role of essential oils:1. Protection against herbivorous insects2. Protection from extreme temperatures3. wound Healing4. Resistance to drought5. Attract insect pollinators

Page 5: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Pharmaceutical wild herbs

Page 6: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Containing one or more active Containing one or more active ingredients that can prevent, ingredients that can prevent, alleviate or cure certain alleviate or cure certain diseases.diseases.

Most aromatic herbs are Most aromatic herbs are pharmaceutical, but many pharmaceutical, but many pharmaceutical plants are not pharmaceutical plants are not aromatic.aromatic.

Importance for Crete:Importance for Crete:- Economic (exports significant - Economic (exports significant quantities, such as oregano, quantities, such as oregano, dittany or sage)dittany or sage)- Culture (life of Cretans is - Culture (life of Cretans is connected to herbs and their connected to herbs and their use since ancient times)use since ancient times)

Page 7: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Dominant aromatic and pharmaceutical wild

herbs of Crete

Page 8: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Thyme (Coridothymus capitatus)

Perennial shrub that blooms from Perennial shrub that blooms from May to September.May to September.

Thyme’s essential oil has Thyme’s essential oil has antiparasitic and antitussive antiparasitic and antitussive properties.properties.

Page 9: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Particularly beneficial is the fruit of thyme that Particularly beneficial is the fruit of thyme that remains after the fall of its flowers.remains after the fall of its flowers.

Thyme is a protected plant species. Collection of Thyme is a protected plant species. Collection of thyme is prohibited during its flowering period. thyme is prohibited during its flowering period. Thyme is a beekeeper plant and gives honey of Thyme is a beekeeper plant and gives honey of high quality.high quality.

Page 10: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

LavenderLavender ((Lavandula stoechas)

Perennial shrub that spreads Perennial shrub that spreads almost all over mediterranean almost all over mediterranean area.area.

Its essential oil is used as a Its essential oil is used as a natural insecticide preventing natural insecticide preventing mainly moths. This is possibly due mainly moths. This is possibly due to the high percentage of to the high percentage of camphor.camphor.

Page 11: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

The genusThe genus OriganumOriganum

Represented in Greece by 11 species, 5 of Represented in Greece by 11 species, 5 of which occur in Crete: which occur in Crete:

Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum O. onites O. onites O. calcaratum O. calcaratum O. microphyllum O. microphyllum O. dictamnusO. dictamnus, the famous Cretan Dittany, the famous Cretan Dittany

It is used mainly It is used mainly as a flavoring as a flavoring substance in substance in

cookingcooking

Page 12: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Cretan DittanyCretan Dittany ((Origanum dictamnus)Origanum dictamnus)

Particularly important for Particularly important for Crete. It is a protected plant Crete. It is a protected plant due to its great economic due to its great economic interest.interest.

It grows in rough and steep It grows in rough and steep places of the island.places of the island.

It was known from It was known from antiquity. Mentioned by antiquity. Mentioned by Hippocrates and Hippocrates and Dioscorides as a healing Dioscorides as a healing wound or as a poultice on wound or as a poultice on swellings.swellings.

Today is cultivated in Today is cultivated in village Embaros in Crete village Embaros in Crete which has its global which has its global monopoly.monopoly.

Endemic to Crete

Page 13: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Sage (Salvia fruticosa)

Perennial shrub occurring throughout the Mediterranean.Perennial shrub occurring throughout the Mediterranean.In Crete it has a high economic importance. In Crete it has a high economic importance.

It is used as a seasoning sausages and as a food preservative. It is used as a seasoning sausages and as a food preservative. It is also consumed as a beverage.It is also consumed as a beverage.

Its essential oil is used against toothache. The decoction of its Its essential oil is used against toothache. The decoction of its leaves is tonic and has an haemostatic use. It is also used for leaves is tonic and has an haemostatic use. It is also used for treatment of skin diseases.treatment of skin diseases.

Page 14: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Mountain Tea (Sideritis syriaca ssp. syriaca)

Perennial plant.Perennial plant.Its concoction is good for Its concoction is good for stomach pain and stomach pain and heating.heating.

Due to the uncontrolled Due to the uncontrolled collection it has already collection it has already disappeared from some disappeared from some areas. areas.

Endemic to Crete

Page 15: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis )

It is a herbaceous plant of It is a herbaceous plant of Mediterranean origin.Mediterranean origin.The name officinalis indicates its The name officinalis indicates its pharmaceutical properties.pharmaceutical properties.

Its essential oil has soothing and Its essential oil has soothing and antiseptic properties (for healing antiseptic properties (for healing wounds and injuries).wounds and injuries).

Its leaves have a strong lemon Its leaves have a strong lemon scent. It is not so well known in scent. It is not so well known in Crete.Crete.

Page 16: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Winter Savory Winter Savory ((Satureja Satureja ththymbra)ymbra)

Perennial shrub found throughout Perennial shrub found throughout the Mediterranean.the Mediterranean.

Its smell resembles the one of Its smell resembles the one of oregano and thyme. This is due oregano and thyme. This is due to an alcohol, carvacrol. to an alcohol, carvacrol.

In Crete, it is used as a tea for In Crete, it is used as a tea for stomach aches, intestinal stomach aches, intestinal diseases of children, dizziness diseases of children, dizziness e.t.c.e.t.c.

Page 17: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Bay laurel Bay laurel ((Laurus nobilisLaurus nobilis))

Plant spread all over Mediterranean. Plant spread all over Mediterranean. Tree dedicated to the gods and Tree dedicated to the gods and especially to Apollo with therapeutic especially to Apollo with therapeutic properties known since antiquity.properties known since antiquity.

Its essential oil contains, as a main Its essential oil contains, as a main component , the alcohol cineol which is component , the alcohol cineol which is antiseptic and disinfectant. Its fruits antiseptic and disinfectant. Its fruits contain also a fatty oil, laurel.contain also a fatty oil, laurel.

Laurel’s leaves are used as flavoring in Laurel’s leaves are used as flavoring in cooking and as a protection against cooking and as a protection against insects in packing of dried fruits (figs, insects in packing of dried fruits (figs, raisins). Products made of laurel are raisins). Products made of laurel are widely used in perfumery and soap.widely used in perfumery and soap.

Page 18: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Soft-Hairy Rockrose Soft-Hairy Rockrose ((Cistus creticus)Cistus creticus)

Perennial shrub known since ancient Perennial shrub known since ancient times. Native in many parts of Greece.times. Native in many parts of Greece.Plant aromatic, pharmaceutical and Plant aromatic, pharmaceutical and beekeepers.beekeepers.

The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The leaves are used as a tea substitute. The oleo-resin (ladano) obtained from The oleo-resin (ladano) obtained from the leaves and stems is used as a the leaves and stems is used as a commercial food flavoring baked goods, commercial food flavoring baked goods, ice cream, chewing gum e.t.c.ice cream, chewing gum e.t.c.

Dioscorides describes a method of Dioscorides describes a method of collecting this oleo-resin product. This collecting this oleo-resin product. This method is applicable even today in the method is applicable even today in the village of Sisses in Crete.village of Sisses in Crete.

Small quantities of ladano are exported Small quantities of ladano are exported to Arabia where it is used as incense. to Arabia where it is used as incense. Previously it was used also against the Previously it was used also against the plague.plague.

Page 19: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Mint Mint (Menta (Menta spsp.).)

Mint is both a native and a cultivated plant and is used for flavoring and for its pharmaceutical properties.

The purpose of its cultivation is the extraction of its essential oil (peppermint oil) from the flowering tops and leaves of the plant.

Peppermint oil is used in confectionery to beverages, perfumery and pharmacy.

Spearmint is also a mint species (Mentha viridis).

Page 20: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Spirmint is found native in damp, mountainous Spirmint is found native in damp, mountainous places, but is often cultivated in gardens or places, but is often cultivated in gardens or pots used in cooking as a seasoning.pots used in cooking as a seasoning.

All parts of it but especially the leaves, are used All parts of it but especially the leaves, are used to treat skin diseases. They are also used as to treat skin diseases. They are also used as antispasmodic, digestive and sedative. antispasmodic, digestive and sedative.

      

Page 21: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

ChamomileChamomile((Matricaria chamomilla)Matricaria chamomilla)

Annual plant, aromatic, medicinal and Annual plant, aromatic, medicinal and beekeepers. It was known from ancient beekeepers. It was known from ancient times. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans times. The Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used it as medicine.used it as medicine.

It has anti-inflammatory properties, It has anti-inflammatory properties, spasmolytic and soothing. We use the spasmolytic and soothing. We use the decoction in bowel disease, bile, stomach decoction in bowel disease, bile, stomach and as a digestive. Externally for skin and as a digestive. Externally for skin inflammations.inflammations.

The essential oil is used in the manufacture The essential oil is used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical shaving and antirheumatic of pharmaceutical shaving and antirheumatic ointments.ointments.

Page 22: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Rosemary Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)(Rosmarinus officinalis)

Perennial common plant of Greek flora, Perennial common plant of Greek flora, also known as “arismari”. As a medicinal also known as “arismari”. As a medicinal herb has tonic and antistiptikes herb has tonic and antistiptikes properties. It is ideal for combating properties. It is ideal for combating anemia, insomnia and dizziness. It is also anemia, insomnia and dizziness. It is also extremely useful for increasing attention, extremely useful for increasing attention, because it improves blood flow to the because it improves blood flow to the brain. brain.

As a cosmetic it can be used in the form As a cosmetic it can be used in the form of steam for deep cleansing and of steam for deep cleansing and strengthening of the skin. For the body it strengthening of the skin. For the body it used as a refreshing and deodorant.used as a refreshing and deodorant.

The essential oil which is extracted from The essential oil which is extracted from the leaves and flowers is useful in the leaves and flowers is useful in pharmaceutical perfume and soap.pharmaceutical perfume and soap.

Page 23: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

St John Wort St John Wort (Η(Ηypericumypericum sp.)sp.)

In Crete, 11 species of this In Crete, 11 species of this genusgenus are found, some of which are found, some of which are endemic.are endemic.

It contains the active It contains the active substances Hypericine & substances Hypericine & Hyperforine that increase Hyperforine that increase serotonin and adrenaline levels serotonin and adrenaline levels in the brain.in the brain.

Ancient Greeks used it as a Ancient Greeks used it as a diuretic, healing & haemostatic. diuretic, healing & haemostatic. In the U.S. and many other In the U.S. and many other countries it is used in pills for countries it is used in pills for mild and moderate depression.mild and moderate depression.

Used in tincture form (extracted Used in tincture form (extracted by fresh plant into glass jars by fresh plant into glass jars filled with olive oil, and kept in filled with olive oil, and kept in the sun for 40 days) as healing the sun for 40 days) as healing wounds, skin irritation and wounds, skin irritation and burnsburns

Page 24: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

MandrakeMandrake(Mandragora officinalis)(Mandragora officinalis)

The root is fleshy, long and resembles a The root is fleshy, long and resembles a human body with 2 feet.human body with 2 feet.

The mandrake is a toxic plant containing The mandrake is a toxic plant containing atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine which are valuable drugs used as which are valuable drugs used as anticonvulsants and sedatives. In ancient anticonvulsants and sedatives. In ancient times the root was used as an hypnotic. times the root was used as an hypnotic. In some areas it is cultivated for its In some areas it is cultivated for its medicinal properties.medicinal properties.

The fruit is fleshy apple-shaped with a The fruit is fleshy apple-shaped with a sweetish taste and is considered sweetish taste and is considered dangerous if eaten.dangerous if eaten.

Page 25: Aromatic and pharmaceutical wild herbs of Crete

Roman Nettle Roman Nettle (Urtica pilulifera(Urtica pilulifera))

This plant is mainly known for its strong This plant is mainly known for its strong irritancy to the skin. Extremely useful is irritancy to the skin. Extremely useful is for disorders of bile, stomach ulcers, for disorders of bile, stomach ulcers, bronchial conditions, in diabetes and bronchial conditions, in diabetes and arthritis. arthritis.

Nettle’s juice is useful for anemia.Nettle’s juice is useful for anemia.      


Recommended