The Lemon Tree
  • Home
  • About
    • Work with Me
    • Partners
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Photo Gallery
    • Photo Journey
  • Contact

a feel good travel blog

Greek Health: 8 Holistic Products You Must Buy from Greece

8/17/2015

0 Comments

 
Picture
Greece is the mecca for all things healthy. Herbs, spices, olive oil, honey, pumas stone and olive oil-based soap, Greece is a health nut’s paradise.  Visitors experience the best products for one’s inner and outer world ranging from organic skin products to rosemary-infused olive oil. It’s no wonder why the planet has an obsession with the “Greek Diet” as products that come from Greece are as pure as Aphrodite’s soul. 

The best part about shopping in Greece is that these products are affordable and genuine. Yes, there are some cheaper products such as soap that includes parabens and SLS, but searching for a pure product is easy and does not require hours of reading labels. I spent time in Crete and Santorini and found that Santorini was more expensive compared to Crete. But, overall both islands offer products that are cheaper than the US and EU. Don’t worry about the Euro to Dollar exchange, its near even and these products taste and feel so good that you’ll later cry at the grocery store buying some “thick as tar” olive oil that was processed in a plant in Timbuktu, Texas. Leave plenty of room in your suitcase for these fantastic Greek products.
Picture
Olive Oil
Do you like olive oil infused with chili and Greek herbs? Do you need a vat of oil to cook your favorite pasta sauce? If so, you’ll find all kinds of oil in Greece. Greek olive oil differs from most oils I’ve tasted. There are two exceptions – Italy and Croatia – I found the olive oil is similar between these three countries. The oil is thinner, almost a watery substance, that boasts flavor and purity. The oils produced in Greece are the highest quality extra virgin olive oil ever created on the planet. It’s an addicting substance that you know is doing the body good.

Greece has an abundant of olive and grape trees due to its high desert landscape. Every oil differs based on the olive, but most use the traditional silver-green olive. In Crete, I like the Zero Two brand.

Soap
Olive oil soap is the candy of Greece. Everywhere and every shop sells olive oil-based soaps. It is a must try for your sun-kissed (or burnt) skin. Depending on the brand, various scents are available with olive oil as its main ingredient. I recommend reading the labels to distinguish artificial ingredients. The brand I found to love is KNOSSOS. I purchased the aloe vera soap and it contains four ingredients: olive oil, water, salt and aloe vera fragrance.

Spa Products
Once again, olive oil-based skin and spa products are every woman’s fountain of natural youth. Lotion, shampoos, hair treatment cream, sunburn cream and nighttime face lotion – you can find every type of skin and body product in Greece. In fact, I recommend not bringing anything over and just buying everything you need in Greece. The brand I found and fell in love with is Messinian Spa. The aloe vera sun burn cream and olive oil, pomegranate & honey body milk is out of this world amazing.  Each time I apply the products it smells as if Zeus massaged my body with ancient herbs while bathing under a trellis of grape leaves. The products are paraben and SLS free.

Himalayan Salt
Oh yes, what’s been a trending topic for the last two years in the States have been part of the ancient Greek diet for Centuries. You can find the pink salt at many of the natural-based gift shops and street side markets. I purchased a 500-gram bag for 1.50 Euros.  Seriously, it’s that cheap. Stock up before you have to spend ten dollars for a small shaker at Whole Foods.

Greek Honey
I know, I know. Honey is not vegan. But most people reading this is probably not vegan and may have an interest in honey. Greek honey is a powerful healing tool used to overcome immune issues and maintain weight. It’s an integral ingredient in Grecian desserts. I taste tested several honey products and marveled over the romance my tongue experienced. My favorite included the “Flower Greek Honey” made from Grecian flowers and wild herbs.

Spices
No Greek experience is complete without a bag of spices.  Shops sell everything from single spices to mixed herbs suitable for meats, salads and rice dishes. I recommend purchasing the Greek salad or feta spice packets. These consist of four to five herbs used in Greek salads or placed atop of a hunk of feta.

Olive Tree
Oh what the hell, why not pick yourself up an olive tree? Local shops sell these tiny trees for a reasonable price. I’m not sure how this would hold up with immigration into the United States, but if in the EU, you can easily transport the plant without border control hassle. Trees are energy, and olive trees are the most authentic forms of Grecian energy (besides lemon trees). 

Pumas Stone
Santorini Island is one big pumas stone consisting of white, black and red pumus rock. Rub, scrub and massage your feet and body with an authentic pumas stone made directly in Greece.

When in Stalis Beach, Crete, I recommend these products from Diktamos located at 110 Ag. Ioannou Str. Stalis, Heraklion, Crete.  Phone number: 28970 32573. I purchased all products (except the salt) at Diktamos.

Prices
I purchased travel-sized products because I had a carryon bag. Prices based on the products in the picture above:

Honey – 1 Euro

0.1 liter Olive oil and 100 gram Soap combo pack – 2.50 Euro

Messinian Spa lotion 55 ml – 1.60 Euro

Himilayan Salt 500 grams – 1.50 Euro

Greek Salad Spices 40 grams – 1.30 Euro

Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Elizabeth Rae Kovar is a Fitness Trainer, Author of Finding Om, Presenter, Yogi, Vegan & lover of the World. View her portfolio at www.elizabethkovar.comor health-based blog at mindbodysoul-food.com

    Picture
    Follow
    View my profile on LinkedIn

    Archives

    January 2023
    August 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015

    Categories

    All
    Asia
    Austria
    Bali
    Camino De Santiago
    Canada
    Czech Republic
    Denmark
    England
    Estonia
    Europe
    Finland
    France
    Germany
    Greece
    Iceland
    India
    Italy
    Latvia
    Lithuania
    Mexico
    Netherlands
    Poland
    Portugal
    Scotland
    Spain
    Thailand
    Travel Photos
    Travel Shopping
    Travel Story
    Travel Tips
    USA
    Vegan Travel
    Vegan/Veg Food Travel

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly
  • Home
  • About
    • Work with Me
    • Partners
  • Blog
  • Books
  • Photo Gallery
    • Photo Journey
  • Contact