A stroll at the square

Strolling along the upper square of Corfu can be a unique experience. Just take some time to look around, to admire the view at Garitsa bay, and further on, the old castle. Everything around is green and relaxing. Take a look at Peristilion, an ancient water tank, which is at the top end of the square. It used to be accessible but since the people started ruining it, the Mayor built an iron fence around it to preserve it. When I was little I used to play there with my friends. We played hide and seek behind the columns and wondered what was inside the locked door. They said it was a huge well with water. Then some kids started drawing on the wall and so the damage started. The restoration took place last year and now it is one of the best well-preserved sights in town. The square is full of chestnut trees, acacias and tilia/lime trees. Chestnut trees (Kastanies in Greek) drop wild chestnuts (kastana) on the ground and kids pick them up. I also loved picking up chestnuts and carrying them home. I still have one of them which is very old and is hanging from a chain. September is the month for mature chestnuts. Tilia flowers bloom in spring and their aroma is so strong that it spreads all over the square. The flowers come out in groups and are yellowish. Tilia is a herb that when dried and drank, relaxes the mind. In Greek we call it TILIO

Herbs: Corfiot Chamomile

Chamomile is found on Mount Pantokrator. The road you can see in the pictusre leads to the top of the mount. There you can find chamomile flowers in springtime and summer. To pick chamomile flowers collect only the flower top (anthos) not the stem. The best time to pick chamomile flowers is in the morning, before the sun goes up. Leave the fresh flowers to dry under the sun for a couple of days. Store them in a jar and use them like normal tea leaves.

Chamomile is a beautiful small flower that grows on Mount Pantoktrator, as well as in fields and gardens. I remember my mum picked the flowers up from our garden, dried them in the sun and used them to make chamomile tea. It is good for colds, stomach upsets, indigestion, skin irritation and lots of other treatments. The best chamomile is the natural one, but you must know where to find it and make sure this place is not polluted. On the mount it is clean and fresh but not easy to get it! Where to get chamomile: In big supermarkets you can find chamomile bags or dried flowers. You can make chamomile tea the same way you make common tea. Chamomile-how to use it Sore throat and colds In a cup of chamomile tea add a teaspoonful of honey and some lemon juice. Sip at intervals. This remedy provides you with ample vitamin C and rare honey properties that boost your immune system. Stomach upsets Prepare a cup of chamomile tea and add some lemon juice. Drink slightly warm or cold. For best results, drink it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. Insomnia A cup of chamomile tea before bedtime is highly relaxing. For external use: Stiff neck In a pan, simmer some dried chamomile leaves in pure olive oil for a few seconds. When still warm (not hot), apply mixture to affected area. Leave as long as possible and repeat 2-3 times daily. Ear ache Prepare as above and apply some chamomile mix (on some cotton wool) to the back of the ear. Aching joints Apply mixture prepared as above on joints and leave for as long as possible. Repeat several times (use a bandage to hold cotton wool on affected area). Mouth ulcers Prepare chamomile tea and use it for gargling or as a mouth wash after meals and especially before bedtime. However, if mouth ulcers persist visit a doctor. Skin problems Women’s rash Use cold chamomile tea to clean the affected areas. It can be used many times a day as it is soothing and healing. Pimples Cold chamomile tea is soothing and helps restoring the skin’s texture. Bibliography Ody, P. (1997) ‘100 Great Natural Remedies: using healing plants at home’ London, UK, Kyle Cathie Limited. Related Sites www.Englishteastore.com/camomile.html http://greekfood.about.com/

Olive oil: a local product

This is a small part of an article of mine on olive oil. It explains why I use olive oil daily. 'I use olive oil every day. My ancestors used olive oil every day, too, and they lived to an old age – some lived more than a century. Their main meals were combinations of fresh vegetables, fruit, fish and some meat dressed in olive oil. So, olive oil has been known for centuries. But it is now that people have become fully aware of its goodness. It can be used almost everywhere, adding a special flavor to food as well as boosting our immune system as it contains Vitamin E. Thus it is good for our health and we should use it every day. Combined with vegetables and fish is an excellent food, as well as with meat of every kind for those who are meat-eaters.' If you would like to read some recipes that include olive oil, you can go to http://lianametal.tripod.com/kerkyraonline/id13.html and try them! Good luck! -------------------------------- Bio products online! -------------------------------- I'm sure you've heard about bio-products, they are expanding in Europe and many people prefer them to conventional ones. This 'green' turn in our lifestyle shows we, consumers, become more and more aware of the benefits of real food that is natural and chemical free. The latter aspect is the one that makes me eager to buy this kind of products, despite their high, at times, price. In Corfu you can find bio products in big supermarkets like 'Demetra' markets. What can you get? Honey, olive oil and a range of herbs. Sometimes there are vegetables and fruit available. Also you can get wine, pasta, sauces and jam. You can get cookies and toast as well. For online shopping, try www.econews.gr where you can find the best prices. This is a Greek site, though, but I hope they will create an English version sometime in the near future. Also, at www.bioshop.gr you can find a big variety of natural products. To view the site in English, click on the British flag at the bottom of the page. More sites in Greece: www.dionet.gr for bio products in Greek big cities and www.bio-hellas.gr (Sorry, Greek only!) for more information on bio products. What do I buy for my family? Olive oil, herbs, honey and wine. These are the essentials for the every day meals. I don't buy jams because I make my own, but I do buy cookies made with olive oil and spices. I get them from Demetra market in the town. Enjoy them!