The Greek Herbalist

08/06/2026

I am offering a Myths and Medicine Plant Walk in the National Garden on two upcoming dates. I have been offering them for 5 years and they are my most popular event. In English, all ages welcome. Here are the dates and info:

- Learn fun facts about ancient Greek herbal medicine
- Meet plants featured in Greek and Roman mythology
- Learn about plants used in modern herbal medicine
- Gain a new appreciation for common flora
- Enjoy a calming guided tree meditation to conclude the plant walk
- Plus, receive a free National Garden postcard!

Upcoming dates:
Thursday, 11 June 2-4pm
Thursday, 2 July 11am - 1pm

Cost:
Adults: €32 per participant
Teenagers: €24 per participant
Children: Free

Meeting spot: The plant walk begins at the sundial inside the main entrance on Leof. Vasilisis Amalias.

Comment or message me to RSVP. See you in the garden!

From myths to medicine, plants provide a plethora to explore! Join The Greek Herbalist for an aromatic and ancient journey with the beautiful flora of Greece in the treasured National Garden of Athens.

04/06/2026

Since November 2024, I have been working on a book about 50 medicinal plants from ancient Greece with . I announced this book in a previous post, with the initial title The Greek Herbalist: 50 Medicinal Plants from Ancient Greece for Modern Health.

I’m excited to share that the book has a new title: Herbs of Greece: Four Seasons of Ancient Plants for Modern Health. The book will be available for purchase in the U.S. starting in July 2027! 🙌

The book begins with a Foreword by Rosemary Gladstar a celebrated herbalist who has taught tens of thousands of students, written countless books, and has led with a heart full of vision and passion to revive herbalism in the United States for more than half a century. In 2024, Rosemary was a special guest on our truly memorable Herbal Medicine Tour on Kythera. It is an honor to have Rosemary be a part of this book!

The heart of the book is 50 plant profiles that explore ancient and modern medicinal uses. Inspired by an ancient remedy, I include a safe and tested recipe for you to craft at home. Understanding how the ancient Greeks applied these plants is my favorite part of the book, as it reveals the timeless power of plants and how they continue to heal us in so many unexpected ways.

The book is accompanied by beautiful photography by Sarah Rainer whose truly magnificent eye brings to life the shapes and colors of Greece’s rich botanical heritage.

Read more about what's in the book in my Substack.

Pre-order sales start in spring 2027. Get excited! 🌿✨

03/06/2026

Still dreaming of Mountains of Greece? There's now a podcast! As a follow up to the great success of the conference "Mountains of Greece: Heritage Narratives from the Past for a Sustainable Future" held at the British School at Athens in October 2025, we are delighted to share the Mountains of Greece podcast, which continues the conversations and research from the conference and wider project. The Mountains of Greece project is run by Jason König (University of St Andrews) and the podcast features several of the conference speakers from last year, including myself!

Visit the Mountains of Greece project website to tune in:
🗻 https://mountainsofgreece.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/all-posts/

27/05/2026

It's mulberry season, friends! The acanthus stalks are standing tall and jacaranda is full of her purple flowers everyone in Athens loves. There's a secret spot in the National Garden with a fountain of maidenhair fern. The season is on the cusp of summer and the possibilities feel bright and hopeful.

I picked the berries right off the tree. Fingers stained red. A sweet treat before they all ripen and fall to the ground for the birds.

If you're in Athens, let's go for a Myths and Medicine plant walk together. There's lots to see! 🌿🌳

22/05/2026

New online course! Rituals of Hope in Ancient Greece✨

The concept of hope or ἐλπίς (elpís) in Greek antiquity was a well-practiced ritual related to the desires of individuals and communities for a specific outcome: religious expressions, political expectations, social projections, and erotic desire. Evidence of archaeological remains and surviving texts suggest the prevalence of hope in an ever-changing society consumed with war, plague, politics, and an unknown future — much like life as we experience it today.

Now available is an online course on Rituals of Hope in Ancient Greece. This class explores the tools, particularly in relation to the healing power of plants, that the ancient Greeks relied on and which helped shape their relationship with the divine and natural worlds.

link in bio and here:
https://www.thegreekherbalist.com/on-the-herbal-path-courses

Enjoy the journey🌿

24/03/2026

On Sunday, March 29, 3-5pm, join me in the National Garden for a Myths & Medicine Plant Walk!

🌿Be delighted by fantastical stories of the gods and goddesses
🌿Learn about ancient and modern medicinal uses of Greek plants
🌿Gain a new appreciation for common flora
🌿Plus, receive a free National Garden postcard!

This 2-hour experience is slow-paced and appropriate for all ages. Participants will also enjoy a calming guided tree meditation to conclude the tour.

The experience provides participants a fun, educational, and nature-filled experience amidst the hustle and bustle of Athens.

Link in bio to register or contact me directly for a locals discount. 🌿

See you in the garden!

10/02/2026

I’m excited to announce that I’ve joined Substack! Read about my (possible) herbal beginnings in ancient Greece, a tale of finding thyme on Sifnos, and how to get a plant species named after you.

I'll also be writing about the behind-the-scenes experiences I’ve had with writing my upcoming book and traveling Greece in search of plants, travel tips to Greece for medicinal plant-lovers, and ancient Greek herbal remedies.

Only some of these topics will be available on my website, so subscribe to Substack to stay informed! Free and monthly subscription options available.

Your support means so much to me.

Exploring the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. Click to read The Greek Herbalist, by Maria Christodoulou, a Substack publication. Launched 14 days ago.

05/02/2026

Some photos to help brighten your day. ☀️ I follow the news regularly. I'm angry and sad and disgusted and all the emotions that come from watching the mess and tragedies unfolding. If glimmers of hope seem unreachable, rest your eyes. Look at beautiful things. Read poetry. Drink herbal tea. Do something silly that makes you laugh. You are allowed.

🌻🌸🌷

26/01/2026

Last call! Registration ends January 31st. Greek Herbal Medicine Tour on Kythera, June 21-27, 2026 🌿

Join us for a 7-day Greek herbal medicine tour on the beautiful island of Kythera!

✨Learn about Greek medicinal plants and ancient botanical rituals

✨Meet with local artisans keeping herbal traditions alive

✨Swim in Aphrodite’s pool and pristine beaches of Kythera

About the Tour Host:
Maria offers educational herbal tours throughout Greece and courses based on the bounty of medicine and folklore of her ancestors. She is the author of the forthcoming book, “The Greek Herbalist: 50 Medicinal Plants from Ancient Greece for Modern Health” (Timber Press, 2027).

See you on the island! ☀️

26/01/2026

Last call! Registration ends January 31st for our Greek Herbal Medicine Tour on Kythera Island on June 21-27.

Join us for a 7-day botanical adventure of a lifetime:
- Learn about Greek medicinal plants and ancient botanical rituals
- Meet with local artisans keeping herbal traditions alive
- Swim in Aphrodite’s pool and pristine beaches of Kythera

About the Tour Host:
Maria offers educational herbal tours throughout Greece and courses based on the bounty of medicine and folklore of her ancestors. She is the author of the forthcoming book, “The Greek Herbalist: 50 Medicinal Plants from Ancient Greece for Modern Health” (Timber Press, 2027).

See you on the island!

Join us for a 7-day Greek herbal medicine tour on the beautiful island of Kythera. This island was once home to Juliette de Bairacli Levy (1912-2009), a celebrated herbalist, traveler, and writer who influenced herbalists and veterinarians around the world. This herbal medicine tour will honor Julie