The Cretan flora has adapted itself so as to resist human interventions and especially the free grazing, which has been a traditional practice in Crete for thousands of years. The plants have developed ways to resist grazing, like thorns or bad taste. There no large forest areas, like for example in Macedonia or Epirus. This is partly because of the grazing and the climatic conditions. However, Crete has some of the rarest biotopes in Europe, like, for example, those of the palm trees (Phoenix theophrasti).

There are some biotopes, which, despite being very small – like, for example, the seasonal lake of Omalos – have amazing biodiversity. The forest species that prevail on the island are the pine tree (Pinus spp) and the cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), which are coniferous species with large adaptability to extreme conditions, and the evergreen maple-trees (Acer sempervirens). There are also other species, like the Zelkova abeliceae, which is one of the rarest trees in the world and grows almost exclusively in the White Mountains in small populations. The Cretan flora includes the Cretan ebony (Ebenus cretica), an impressive bush that is found only in Crete, the crocus of the Cretan mountains (Crocus oreocreticus), the ladania (Cistus creticus), the bush from which the rockrose is collected, the Cretan bell (Campanula cretica), a rare and very beautiful plant that is found only in the prefecture of Chania, the oleander (Nerium oleander), a very beautiful and impressive bush that often grows on street sides, many species of very beautiful orchids and a lot more.

The most characteristic plants of the island are the aromatic herbs that thrive here. Because of the essential oils that they contain, they are used as ingredients in cooking, in the preparation of teas and as medicines. The thyme (Corridothymus capitatus), the sage (Salvia futicosa), the mountain tea (Sideritis syriaca spp. syriaca), the wild marjoram (Origanum microphyllum), the dittany (Origanum dictamnus) are only some of the herbs that one can see and smell on the island.

The essential oil of Sideritis Syriaca is a very potent microbicidal and at the same time recognised for its ability to enhance bone strength and prevent osteoporosis. In order to provide these benefits, the administration of the herb should be on daily basis.

Its anti-oxidant properties are put to good use in anti-aging herbal creams and lotions. It is also known to be able preserve the natural colour of the hair (preventing whitening) if used regularly. Sideritis Syriaca is also known to protect from sunburn, UV and generally skin diseases caused by over-exposure to the daylight/ sun UV radiation.

A tea made out of this herb drank on regular basis would help keep the digestive system working perfectly well. It is also potent in treatment of a wide array of respiratory diseases, anxiety and symptoms of cold – sore throat, body ache and headache.

Sideritis Syriaca has a special and very attractive smell for which reason it is used in many perfumes as well.

Botanical Name: Sideritis Syriaca Common Name: Cretan Mountain Tea - Antiviral, Antibacterial, Diuretic, Tonic, Antioxidant, Antifungal, Anti-inflammatory, Immune System, Colds.

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The Cretan Mountain Tea (Malotira) is being known since the age of Dioskourides (1st Century A.D), and took its name (Sideritis) from its ability to heal wounds made from iron pieces (sidiros means iron in Greek language). According to greek tradition, it was used as a panacea for any illness, while recent studies have proved the special attributes of the plant. It will kill all kind of microbes, it will strengthen the bodys immune systen, it will give the body a boost, it is very good for colds in the winter and it is even good for eye problems if one rinses the eyes regularly with the tea.

There has been some main research the last years which has uncovered many it its drastic ingredients and this has been proved by experiments. Around 99 different active ingredients has been idientified and one of the most interesting finds is that it can bee drunk in big doses and continually without negative effects. This means that it is an ideal herb to use in order to strenghten you bodys immune system and generally well feeling.

Recent medical studies has also showed that this herb will fight cancer and will also help to cure and delay osteoporosis. The last finds about the positive effects as to osteporosis has been studied by a group of scientists at the University of Athens.

He was a notable Prussian geographer, explorer, and naturalist. He is widely recognized for his works on botanical geography which laid the foundation for biogeography. His research was published in a large series of volumes over 21 years. Fosterer of a holistic vision of the universe, Von Humboldt unified diverse branches of scientific knowledge and culture by collecting his research in a series of five volumes under the name of Kosmos, (1845–62), a publication extensively translated all over the world.The writing was based on a series of lectures that Von Humboldt gave at the University of Berlin. The first volume conveys a “portrait of nature”, the second a general history of science. The theoretical framework was based on the view of the orderliness of the cosmos, directly borrowed from ancient Greek philosophy, by which the laws of the Universe apply also on the apparent chaos of the Earth. The general harmony of the cosmos offers to the person who contemplates it, personal inspiration and a beneficial awareness about life.

Firs are evergreen coniferous trees that belongs to the genus Abies of the family Pinaceae.
Firs are long-lived, on average achieving reproductive maturity at 20 years, with an average life-span of 60 years. Fir trees in excess of 400 years old have been recorded in several species, and noble firs 600 to 700 years old are known.

Ancient civilizations used Rosemary as both a medicine and cooking herb. As a medicine, various preparations and extracts made from rosemary were used to treat all manor of ailments including abdominal pain, mouth ulcers, and sore throats. It was also said to lessen the pains of arthritic joints, to promote healing of wounds and to treat eczema.

Rosemary is called "the herb of remembrance" and students in ancient Greece wore garlands of it around their necks, or braided into their hair to improve their memory during exams. Rosemary tea is said to act as a stimulant for study and concentration.