In harmony at Kritou Terra
Traditionally, ancient Cypriots used the herbs around them for medicinal purposes. One healing centre in Paphos still offers treatments based on the local flora
Traditional mountain villages typically offer an enchanting glimpse into age-old island ways. At first glance, Kritou Terra, located on the Laona Plateau in the north west of the island, seems no different. Yet within its narrow, winding streets lies a world of self-discovery and international relationships, through the efforts of the Environmental Studies Centre and newly-opened holistic healing centre.
Botanist and ecologist Nick Symons arrived in Cyprus 12 years ago to establish the Cyprus Environmental Studies Centre (ESC) -, the island’s first environmental education centre. A few years down the line he realised that the island also offered prime conditions for his new passion of creating herbal tinctures, essential oils and flower essences. Cyprus offers prime conditions, since it is situated on the ecological cross roads between the Asian, European and African zones. As such it hosts 1,750 floral species with 126 endemic species; in the Akamas region alone there are 530 species of which 33 are endemic. Moreover, the climate and soil properties of Cyprus encourage many herbs to be more potent than north European species, with particularly strong healing properties. Indeed, the local tradition of using plants for medicinal purposes thrived until only a generation ago as the issue of expense meant that western medicine was in short supply.
“Locals are familiar with plants such as wild sage for stomach upsets, colds and coughs, but they aren’t as familiar with the wider range of plant uses that I deal with,” Nick said. “Dried olive leaves are still widely used as a kind of incense for ritually cleansing the home, with a few old-timers still making tea from dried olive leaves. But the fact that wild olive leaf can be used to treat bacterial, viral and fungal infections that antibiotics cannot treat, has been virtually forgotten until recently. My work therefore serves to keep old traditions alive, but tries to expand our knowledge too.
“An example of that has been the development of the Cyprus Flower Essences, based of the same principles of emotional healing as the famous Bach Flower Remedies. Although the Bach remedies are still highly relevant, there is no doubt that people now experience a different set of problems to the past, meaning that it’s crucial to update remedies accordingly. Stress is certainly more prevalent – so too are anger and blame. I’ve also developed remedies to counteract the negative states typical of Mediterranean temperaments, such as jealousy, irritability and rage, as well as a range of essences aimed to assist people on their spiritual journey. The appropriate Cyprus Flower Essence helps people to develop trust in the universe and allows them to discover the joyfulness and security of living in the present moment.”
It is not only the ongoing research process that sets Nick’s remedies apart, but the degree of care with which they are prepared. “Commercial distillation is undertaken quickly, and as a result, only the most abundant and quickly evaporated oils are obtained. By comparison, I collect the initial rush of oil but prolong the process to acquire the heavier oils that evaporate later on, to provide a rounder, more balanced aroma. Just as important is the time of year and day I collect the herbs. Some should be picked before flowering and some after, and if you collect plants at the end of a hot summer’s day, the heat will have evaporated the highest quality oil, so I rise at 4.30am to gather mine.”
Nick also runs Harmony Herbs and Healing with his partner Elke Schneiders. “It made perfect sense for us to set up a joint venture in the village. Nick now offers Pranic Healing alongside his range of herbal products, while I use his essential oils in my reflexology and also offer reiki treatments and training courses,” she said.
“As a former coffee shop, the property has always been a village meeting place so we’re delighted to be able to re-open it as a service to people,” Elke added. Now set up as a treatment room and outlet for herbal products, even the transformation was achieved in a holistic way. Computers are absent so the presence of electromagnetic waves is avoided, while the paint used is eco-friendly, being mineral based rather than plastic, with the health benefit of containing no solvents and being less prone to mould. Now fully transformed, the ambience is airy and inviting.
In terms of the treatments on offer, Elke points out that many people are relatively familiar with the idea of reflexology, but they often assume it is ‘just a foot massage’. The reality is rather more impressive. “Reflexology is a 5,000-year-old therapy developed by the Chinese at around the same time as acupuncture. Working on reflex zones on the feet can bring about profound healing in all parts of the body and can even influence the mind and emotions in a very positive way. It may, however, require a number of treatments over a significant period of time to change the most deeply rooted problems. It is also deeply relaxing and gives the person a tremendous feeling of well-being.”
By comparison, Reiki is widely known but sometimes viewed with suspicion, while Pranic Healing is still relatively unknown with both being based on the mysterious properties of universal life energy and nothing concerning spiritualism or the occult. “The Usui system of Reiki is a simple, natural, safe but very effective way of healing someone by replenishing the person’s vital energy. This energy heals the body but also brings harmony to the mind and spirit. When a Reiki healer works, they do not deplete their own energy, but act as a channel for the universal life energy that surrounds us,” Elke explained. “This energy is ‘intelligent’ in that it will go where it is most needed, provided that the intention to bring healing is pure.”
Nick added, “pranic Healing and Reiki really only differ in their origin and details. The ancient art of Reiki stems back 2,500 years and was rediscovered in the 19th century in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui. By comparison, Pranic Healing was developed in the 1980s by the Korean healer Choa Kok Sui, who died last year but left behind a thriving organisation. As a result of these timescales, Reiki has diversified and now has many schools of practice, whereas Pranic Healing still has just one main organisational conduit – though I believe this will probably also change over time.”
Harmony Herbs and Healing – treatments by appointment tel 26 332624
[email protected] – 99 689482, [email protected] – 99 586167
‘I’ve developed remedies to counteract the negative states typical of Mediterranean temperaments, such as jealousy, irritability and rage’
