Greek Herbs

 The Most Popular herbs

The history of herbs in Greece dates many years back. The number of greek herbs that grows naturally in Greece is impressive. The Greek Cuisine, with all the abundance of fresh vegetables, meat, fish and cheese, is actually so unique because of the special flavours added by the Greek herbs.
Even the great Greek salad wouldn't taste so Greek just because of feta and tomatoes – just the right touch of oregano and basil makes it what it is! Greek herbs are unique because of a combination of natural "ingredients" that make them as they are: abundance of sunshine during the year, sea, air, rich soil...
There are 7,500 different species growing in Greece and about 850 can be found only in Greece. It's common knowledge in the culinary world that some of the best herbs of the world grow right here in Greece. To mention a few : greek chamomile, mountain tea, sage, basil...
Greeks have a long history of respecting herbs and not just for their use as cooking ingredients. In ancient times, many of herbs were used for medicinal purposes (oregano, basil, and chamomile) and had even religious meanings.
To present day, Greeks are particular about herbs: as much as the Greek landscape is determined by colourful hills and valleys full of plants, people like to seed oregano, basil, dill, parsley, mint and other herbs in pots at their balconies or in their yards. Greeks used herbs both fresh and dried, as whole leaves or crushed/flaked, they use stems and not only leaves from many herbs for cooking...And they use them on a daily basis and practically in any dish.
It's not easy to make a top-ten list of Greek herbs because, well you can fall into the problem of being too subjective, but it is a bit easier to be objective in making a list of the most commonly used ones.

Here are some of the most popular greek herbs:

Oregano is great for all kinds of roasts and Greek salads, as well as tomato based sauces. Its might taste a bit too much like Oregano, surprisingly, but it will help you combat coughs.
Martjoram is a close relative of Oregano, but has a much sweeter scent and taste ase it will also help you combat headaches, neurological pains and coughs, as well as gastro-intestinal pains
Parsley relaxes spasms, reduces inflammation and clears toxins.
Rosemary is used in cooking for roasts, but also fish dishes and sauces.
Mint has calming properties and will also help with insomnia. You can also add Mint leaves in jams and chutneys, creamy sauces, baking and ice creams.
Sage as a tea has tonic properties and is good for neurological pains. You can also add Sage leaves in bottles of olive oil or vinegar.
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Chamomile as a tea has calming, sedative, tonic and antiseptic properties. It is also good for gastro-intestinal complaints.
Cretan Dittany is an endemic herb of Crete, found only in the mountains of the island.
Bay leaves are used in cooking, usually in stews but also in creamy sauces while it is considered to help with the good function of the digestive system.
Basil adds a unique twist to tomato-based sauces, like those for pasta or pizza, while as a medicinal tea, it is good for stomach pains and headaches.

Greek herbs, are not limited to being used in cooking, but they also have a numerous therapeutic benefits. The trade of herbs seems to have been a major activity of the societies that flourished in the Mediterranean and Greece was definitely one of them!
Until your next visit to Greece, you have the chance to try some of them, and give us your opinion!