The story of Kiriaki and Herbs & Blossoms

I can easily remember that since my childhood I have always found myself observing nature. I have always been a keen reader about the powerful natural qualities of the herbs and actively sought stories of how women in  the oder days used the herbs.

The scene following my grandmother up on the mountains or to the meadows of this blessed homeland, looking for herbs, flowers, various plants and greens follows me almost everywhere. I can describe how carefully she was collecting the blossoms from the citrus trees, boiling them to produce rose water. She, and then my mother, introduced me to the art of plant identification and the understanding of their healing capacity.
It was from them I learnt to notice the different kinds of wildrose, nettle, mint, thistle, chamomile or calendula. Later, I was also introduced to how wax and propolis are extracted.
My dad kept bee hives and as I wanted to learn how he managed the bees, it was a matter of time for me to learn how to extract, handle  and blend them in such a way to produce balms for burn, bruises, blows, pain, dryness and other conditions. 

The caring face of  Grandma we would all run to was associated with tasteful cooking, a warm hug and homemade natural remedies. In our home-medi-kit one could always find a wide range of wax balms, creams and tee drinks to treat the family’s everyday “emergencies”.

Powerful memories like these, as well as the smell of jasmine will never fade in me…

2000 was a milistone for me. The discussion on cancer-causing agents in every day products was big in media and of course in our family networks. Taking a closer look to the ingredients of the products used in my daily routine, I came to realize how many of them were not as “innocent” as advertised.
The need for pure but effective products, my unconditional love of nature and the family tradition matured in me the idea to make my own products. That’s how I started to study the bibliography and interact with experts and people who shared the same desire for natural, chemical-free products. 

It was a conscious decision to dive deep. Apart from my experiential knowledge, it took me long hours of studying in the botanical “libraries”! I seized every opportunity I had for specialised courses and seminars on ancient Greek traditional medicine, on medicinal herbs and phytotherapy, such as the “Phytotherapy Seminars” in Athens Sotiria Hospital.  

I studied the qualities of herbs in detail and for experimented with combinations and recipes for years. I feel I am blessed to have met and worked with inspired researchers, doctors and botanists and I must say that I am very proud that my 4 children are raised almost exclusively with my own, purely natural products!

Those products I was making were not only tested by our family and friends, but also from experts in this field, who trusted me and acknowledged the quality of my balsams. I oscillated for some time whether I should market my products or not but at the end, I decided to venture in the Greek market, establishing the “o Votanokipos tis Kiriakis” (Kiriaki’s Herbal Garden), a decision that led to loyal customers and friends.

 

The Herbs & Blossoms brand encloses the aromas and beneficial power offered generously by the Greek flora. The ingredients we use are of natural origin and certified for their quality and sustainable practices.

The Expert Care products are belong to the first range we venture in the market with and they are the result of careful combinations, having studied recipes of hundreads of years old, having taken the advice of experts, having applyed innovation and having  tested them thoroughly in vitro and vivo. 

Our Charisma, Virtue and Artemis balsam are developed in the laboratory, according to the current official standards, that guarantee quality and safety. At the same time, the selected process respects the traditional nature of our recipes, as these have evolved through the decades. 

Finally, our Herbs & Blossoms products contain no parabens, phosphates, silicone, GMO products, sulphates, petroleum products, mineral oils and synthetic dyes.  

I would like to thank you for reading my story and do email me about your experience with the Herbs & Blossoms products. 
Be healthy, happy and generous, 
Kiriaki Siorfane