Wild Greek Greens, our treasure!!

Taraxacum officinalis

The root and leaves of Taraxacumofficinalis combat gallstones. It is also diuretic,

without diminishing the potassium from thebody.

Portulaca oleracea

It is rich in vitamin C and iron. People say that ifyou put a few leaves Purslane under your

tongue, it relieves your thirst (perhaps this is theorigin of the myth about non stop talkers: feeling

relieved from thirst with Purslane they beginnonstop monologue!).

In our kitchen: Eaten raw in salad and canreplace lettuces like green vegetable.

Cichorium intybus

It is collected at a young stage and is of excellentquality; very valuable pharmacological properties, known since antiquity. It is diuretic,helps in bile and digestion. It is found in meadows and fallow sites everywhere in Greece.

Silybum marianum

Milk thistle is a real treasure that every home should have a glove! It is considered the best herb if you want to protect yourliver from cirrhosis and hepatitis.It is found mainly in rural, mountainous rocky areas.

Eruca Sativa

Its appearance may be deceiving, but Eruca Sativais a vegetable with significant benefits for our

health. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins andminerals, it contains substances that exhibit

anticancer effects and protect the body fromvarious diseases.

Tordylium apulum

Kafkalithres is a wild grass of excellent quality with a pleasant perfume. Mostly used in the preparation of pies and as spice, but it's also eaten alone, or togetherwith other boiled wild greens. It helps the nervous system and has valuable therapeutic properties against melancholy.

Urospermum picroides

It belongs to the family Asteraceae. It is an annual herbaceous plant that reaches the height of 20-50 cm . The root is long , simple or branched. The roots , stems and leaves contain a milky juice . From the top of the

root of the leaves come in a rosette . Their shape is not completely the same , however they generally are

oblong, toothed , lobed ,with a large, red stem and a thick, red central nerve. Their color is dark green , glossy on the upper surface and lighter on the bottom.The red

spots on their leaves are very common.

Amaranthus sp.

Cosmopolitan plant, which is a common weed throughout Europe and America, while sporadically found almost

everywhere. It is internationally known under the names tumble pigweed (English) or amaranthe blanche (French). In Greece there is in almost all districts of the country. It

grows in slightly more fertile soils, in warm sunny locations and is a serious weed in irrigated summer crops,

especially vegetables, melons, potatoes, maize, cotton.

Capparis spinosa

The Caper belongs to the family of Kaparidonkai and is well known all over Greece. It is a tender, perennial

shrub that can reach 1m. height and 1.5 m width. The roots do not go deep into the ground, but fork. The caper

is one of the culinary delights of the Mediterranean, which is found from Turkey to Spain and consumed with great pleasure in all the countries located in between.

Rumex sp.

The sorrel is a biennial herb that blooms from May to April and has a height of 20-60 cm. It is considered grass with excellent medicinal properties especially for those

who suffer from hemorrhoids, anemia, dysentery, jaundice, or tuberculosis. The leaves contain a large

amount of oxalic acid. They have diuretic ,antipyretic and tonic properties. It is suitable for those who suffer from hemorrhoids (putting patch crushed leaves),ulcers

of the mouth and throat.

Scandix pectin veneris

It is gathered from winter to spring that blooms. It is mainly used in pies and as a flavoring in fresh salads and sauces. It is also used as a spice, especially in French cuisine and

traditional Greek, and its flavor, which is softer than that of parsley, resembles that of liquorice or dill.

Malva sylvestris

The mallow is used in several pharmaceutical preparations. From its root, ointments and poultices for wounds, burns and rashes are produced. It is also used as an emollient, cough soothing and antitussive and to treat diseases of the digestive and urinary tract (colic,

cystitis, gastritis) and intestinal disorders.

Papaver rhoeas

The poppy has soothing and sweating properties. In old days people used it as a medicinal plant. The common poppy

contains an alkaloid, the roiadini, which has sedative properties. It also contains iron, manganese, potassium,

calcium, inorganic and organic acids. The infusion of the flowers can be drunk as antitussive, emollient and soothing medicine.

Lactuca serriola

The stems and leaves contain a milky juice, which is calming and makes good mood. The ripe large plant is slightly toxic. The

tender leaves when they are still small can be boiled and eaten alone or with other vegetables.

Asparagus sp.

The asparagus may be green or white, dependingon whether they grew up or under the ground. Inour country asparagus are grown in Macedoniaand Thrace. They contain few calories and are agood source of folic acid and potassium. They canbe eaten as appetizer and have tonic, and diureticproperties.

Taraxacum officinalis

It is rich in carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and minerals. It is characterized as the strongest and, at the same time, the

best natural diuretic. It is valuable for the general toning of the body. It can be used as decoction, infusion or tincture.

Urtica disica

The whole plant is covered by glandular hairs that on contact with the skin , cause itching, sometimes intense, stinging and redness. There are more than 500 species

worldwide. The leaves and its roots are used as a diuretic. It is rich in vitamins, fatty acids, calcium, iron and potassium.

Chirovotano

Its leaves are dark green and plush, covered with hairs. It's a suitable laxative of blood, as well as diuretic.

Foeniculum vulgare

It is a biennial or perennial herbaceous plant, naturally grown throughout Greece. It can reach up to two meters high. From

fennel there are prepared medicines like syrups, and is also used as a means to facilitate the secretion of milk. It has tonic and

antiseptic properties and is used as a diuretic.