Kreta Orchideeên & Orchissen

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Archaeologists on Crete find skeleton covered with gold foil in 2,700-year-old grave

ATHENS, Greece — Greek archaeologists have found an ancient skeleton covered with gold foil in a grave on the island of Crete, officials said Tuesday.

Excavator Nicholas Stampolidis said his team discovered more than 3,000 pieces of gold foil in the 7th-century B.C. twin grave near the ancient town of Eleutherna.

Cemeteries there have produced a wealth of outstanding artifacts in recent years.

The tiny gold ornaments, from 1 to 4 centimetres (0.4 to 1.5 inches) long, had been sewn onto a lavish robe or shroud that initially wrapped the body of a woman and has almost completely rotted away but for a few off-white threads.

"The whole length of the (grave) was covered with small pieces of gold foil — square, circular and lozenge-shaped," Stampolidis told The Associated Press. "We were literally digging up gold interspersed with earth, not earth with some gold in it."

The woman, who presumably had a high social or religious status, was buried with a second skeleton in a large jar sealed with a stone slab weighing more than half a ton. It was hidden behind a false wall, to confuse grave robbers.

Experts are trying to determine the other skeleton's sex.

The grave also contained a copper bowl; pottery; perfume bottles imported from Egypt or Syria and Palestine; hundreds of amber, rock crystal and faience beads; as well as a gold pendant in the form of a bee goddess that probably was part of a rock crystal and gold necklace.

"If you look at it one way up, it's shaped like a lily," said Stampolidis, a professor of archaeology at the University of Crete who has worked at Eleutherna for the 25 years. "Turned upside down, you see a female figure holding her breasts, whose lower body is shaped as a bee with wings. The workmanship is exquisite."

The ruins of Eleutherna stand on the northern foothills of Mount Ida — the mythical birthplace of Zeus, chief of the ancient Greek gods. Past excavations have discovered a citadel, homes and an important cemetery with lavish female burials.

The town flourished from the 9th century B.C. — the dark ages of Greek archaeology that followed the fall of Crete's great Minoan palatial culture — and endured until the Middle Ages.

 By Nicholas Paphitis (CP)

Amouage chronicles new fragrance story with Memoir masterbrand

The new Memoir masterbrand from the house of Amouge features absinthe, floral and wood accords

Source: ©The Moodie Report

By Rebecca Mann, Associate Editor

OMAN. The house of Amouage has unveiled a new fragrance masterbrand called Memoir. The collection is the fourth in a series of olfactory narratives, following on from Lyric, Jubilation and Epic.

The Memoir line goes on counter today. Within travel retail, it will be available in all key duty free doors in the GCC and MEA region, and onboard the region’s main airlines.

Amouage Creative Director Christopher Chong was reportedly inspired by Charles Baudelaire and the German philosophy of the doppelganger. The juices feature absinthe, teamed with floral and wood accords.

By channelling Baudelaire’s Les Fleurs du Mal (The Flowers of Evil), the Memoir Man juice aims to evoke a man uncovering his identity by seeking the underworld where he meets his other self and alter ago, the Black Swan. Memoir Woman represents the female gender: “she is him and he is her”, according to the brand.

Memoir Man is a leather/woody fougere, with top notes of absinthe, wormwood, basil and mint. The heart is a blend of rose, frankincense and lavender absolute; the base a mix of sandalwood, vetiver, guaiac wood, amber, vanilla, musk, oak moss, leather and tobacco.

Memoir Woman is described as a leather/animalic chypre. The juice opens on notes of mandarin, cardamom, absinthe and pink pepper, building to a heart of pepper, clove bud, white blossoms, rose, jasmine and frankincense. The dry-down features styrax, oak moss, castoreum, leather, labdanum, fenugreek and musk.

Both bottles are made of black glass crystal, topped with a silver caps accentuated by a black Swarovski crystal.

Memoir Man and Memoir Woman are each available as 50ml and 100ml edps. The masculine line is priced at around US$150 and US$180 in travel retail; the feminine fragrances at US$175 and US$210.

Cistus.

Cistus is a genus of flowering plants in the rockrose family Cistaceae, containing about 20 species (Ellul et al. 2002). They are perennial shrubs found on dry or rocky soils throughout the Mediterranean region, from Morocco and Portugal through to the Middle East, and also on the Canary Islands. The leaves are evergreen, opposite, simple, usually slightly rough-surfaced, 2-8 cm long; in a few species (notably C. Creticus Incanus with traditional way) the leaves are coated with a highly aromatic resin called labdanum. They have showy 5-petaled flowers ranging from white to purple and dark pink, in a few species with a conspicuous dark red spot at the base of each petal., and together with its many hybrids and cultivars is commonly encountered as a garden flower.

The common name rockrose is applied to the species, a name also shared by the related genera Halimium, Helianthemum and Tuberaria, all in the family Cistaceae.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Herbs of Crete

by http://greece.creteisland.gr/

This record have some basic information about some of the thousands of herbs and plants found on Crete and is widely used in our daily diet.

The rich food items Cretan flora has always provided the Cretan household the possibility of cheap food. Minoan frescoes seems obvious the special relationship that they had the old Cretans on the nature and origins of, and illustrates many plants which play a very special role in everyday life and worship.

Apart from edible plants, which were the main food for the Minoans, and there were those who were objects of worship. The Cretan sacred trees carry over the centuries a great testimony to the relationship of Crete - Minoans with nature. And it is no coincidence that such sacred trees, which play a role in the popular cult are still tens of Crete.

In later years, the greens and vegetables were the main food of poor farmers and land. Other consumed raw, such as located in the fields, and other boiled or cooked in various ways. We do not know exactly how the greens cooked the ancient Cretans.

In other areas of Greek herbs and vegetables were considered inferior food, probably because they consumed in abundance.
The chrisimopoiountai raw herbs for salad production in Crete are: Stamnagathi (Cichorium Spinosun).
Medicines for all, as we are informed by Dioscorides, enjoy high-justifiably-assessment in Crete. Collect and eaten with oil and vinegar. The plant is stamnagathi thorny bush, but the thorns are not so sharp as to render difficult the collection of small edible green leaf.

The name is an old habit of Crete: In the bush these concealed openings of the crock, not to bainoyn mesix water bugs). As with all herbs of Crete, the manufacture of salad depends on local circumstances and the imagination of every housewife. It is rare that stamnagathi chrisimopoieitai anamemeigmeno with wild greens with a little onion (is used in green onions and especially the above ground parts) and dill.

Stamnagathi passed with the popular name in literature: "cries a murderer, and xepatonontas stamnagathi throws ..." (Kazantzakis Odyssey, A722)

It serves as a vegetable in cooking and in medicine since they are considered as a most therapeutic herb. A very important ingredient contained therein is cynarine and has been shown to reduce significantly the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in our body, as has been shown in university studies that stimulates bile secretion and use in the treatment of liver failure and incomplete digestion . Also many are saying that it serves to arteriosclerosis, rheumatism, and itching of the sluggishness.
Of the plants with widely used either as teas or as medicinal in Crete are:

Malotiras
It is usually the main ingredient for a beverage wonderful aroma and flavor with other natural herbs and both very good health herbs. Collected from May - August. It is beneficial in diseases of the circulatory system of human body in respiratory problems, digestion and keep the full conditions for the strong response of cold and cough. Especially the use of honey (hot drinks) is the perfect remedy for sore throats.

Chamomile (Marticaria chamomila)
Collected from April to June and dried and used throughout the year. In Crete there is everywhere especially in fallow sites. Characterized as inflammatory, antiallergic, soothing and antiseptic use top quality. Normally consumed as a hot beverage in combination with other Cretan herbs, the perfect combination of relaxation and combating insomnia.

Sage (Salvia fruticosa)
Collected from April to October, is one of the most important herbs of Crete and also the global name of the fully characterized. Salvia comes from the Latin word salvare meaning "save", considering it valuable to the body. Do antiperspirant, against sore throat and headache in the pulmonary diseases, but consider, inter alia, as a diuretic and haemostatic medication. Usually drink a decoction with other important herbs like chamomile.

Dittany (Erontas) Origanum dicatmus
It flowers and collected during the same period from June and October. The herb is perhaps the most erotic, and yet the most dangerous in the collection to grow as cliffs and steep slopes.

You will wonder why it is called "erontas. But of course, because anyone who wanted to show how the girl loves her, offered her dictamo considering it a very bold daring. Use for aromatizing drinks (including wine and liquors) As medicinal herb remedies considered one of the most important one and has the capacity to activate the quick healing of wounds resulting in the patient annarosei quickly. Ideal for stomach pains and sore throat.

Marjoram (Origanum majorana)
Also collects the Summer and feel that is antiseptic, anticonvulsant, and digestive properties

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
The bloom is June to August and pick up one time and consider one of the most important herbs. It is indigestion of nervous disorders and insomnia. Aromatic usually used in ice cream, fruit sauces to salads and mainly because the smell is very strong and gives a delicious flavor to the salad.

Lime
They are aromatic - medicinal. The flowers are efstomacha. antitussives. softeners spasmolytic, diuretic, expectorant antikatarroika, antipachyntika and efidrotika. It blooms in June - July.

Oregano (Origanum Vulgare)
Do one of the most important herbs of Crete against diarrhea, convulsions of the abdomen, as well as the poison used for toothache.

Daphne (Laurus nobilis)
Many do not know the properties and yet can not appreciate the usefulness of the bushy tree Daphne. Formerly used to strengthen the hair and the decoction used it to spread the States and parts of the body, suffering from rheumatism or muscle contusion. It is very useful for indigestion and for the proper functioning of the stomach.

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Previously used as a beverage in headaches as ideal for migraines. It was considered by scientific experts that frequent use is ideal in the baldness of the scalp. It is antibacterial, antiseptic and stimulant much traffic, as well as insomnia

Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Aromatic plant readily found in many homes even in pots and not among vegetables, and consider as a decorative flower on this special scent which can give any space.

The useful part of this beautiful plant is the flowers that we can collect around the end of August and the aromatic apoxiranoumeChrisimopoieite as a Cretan dishes as well as to flavor oil in combination either alone or with other aromatic herbs also. Relieves migraines, intense headaches from stomatitis, and also calms spasms of the intestines to dizziness to fainting, the gravel and constipation. Previously reduced to a pulp used for soothing effect on the scorpion sting, bee bite, or irritation from nettle.

Savory
It kills bacteria, fungi and microbes on surfaces such as drums was also used against diarrhea.

Honeysuckle
What can we say about this ethereal flower with the intoxicating aroma and blinding beautiful flower. The unique flavor! That is why there is an essential oil of honeysuckle. Usually used by old lovers for skin infections and insomnia.

Almond
We all know the almond tree in general and the leaves and bark of the latter is particularly useful since many have characterized as a medicinal plant. Is normally used for baldness, freckles, burns and nausea.

Oats
Very useful herb medicine and suggest an anti-depression, exhaustion and insomnia. Do one of the very good tonic of the nervous system through vitamins and containing the so-called "tannin."

all in site:
http://greece.creteisland.gr/en/crete-diet/280-herbs-crete.html

herbalchemy herbal rejuvenation

http://www.herbalkhemy.com/

La Nuit de L'Homme Le Parfum by Yves Saint Laurent.

Like a Don Juan of the night…

Story

An intense and spicy reinterpretation of its predecessor, La Nuit de l’Homme Le Parfum unveils ‘pure sensuality’. The bottle’s deep black hue plays the mystery card… like a man who ‘stirs your senses’ by ‘boldly telling the tale of that special night’. Unforgettable, irresistible and addictive, ‘an invisible trace of its presence stays forever’.

Description

La Nuit de l’Homme Le Parfum gets off to a fresh and spicy start of bergamot and black pepper. At the heart, lavender reinforces anise’s aromatic character. Labdanum’s ambry facet heralds the warm trail of vanilla, patchouli and vetiver.

Range

Eau de Parfum 2 and 3.4 oz.

Bottle

The bottle’s cylindrical body is topped with a lacquered, hexagonal cap, both of an intensely black hue.

top note
Bergamot, Black Pepper, Anise
middle note
Lavender, Fruity Note, Labdanum
base note
Vetiver, Patchouli, Vanilla

by http://www.osmoz.com...

ARMANI.COM

Megan Fox in "the Tip"

Cristiano Ronaldo in "Housekeeping"

Perfume Shrine: The 20 Best Ever Perfumes List

Perfume Shrine: The 20 Best Ever Perfumes List

The Daily Mail has devoted an article by Elsa McAlonan to a selection of the 20 best ever perfumes for women.

U2 Athens 03-09-2010.

Solomon's Plant Life: Plant Lore and Image in the Solomonic Writings

by Lytton John Musselman*

Department of Biological Sciences

Old Dominion University
Norfolk, Virginia

http://www.asa3.org/ASA/PSCF/1999/PSCF3-99Musselman.html.ori

Myrrh

Myrrh is the dried resin of several species of Commiphora (Burseraceae), shrubs or small trees of the arid and semi-arid regions of East Africa, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent. Different species have different uses. Some are used medicinally43 and others for their fragrance.44 Recent work indicates that C. myrrha (Nees) Engl. has opiate qualities.45 This helps us to interpret Mark 15:23 where Jesus, on the cross, was offered vinegar mingled with myrrh but he refused the drug.

[The scented myrrh] permeates
the pages of Solomon's writings with more references than any other Bible author.

These two different myrrhs, medicinal and fragrant, are both translated from the same Hebrew word mor. The scented myrrh is probably Commiphora guidotti Chiov.46 It permeates the pages of Solomon's writings with more references than any other Bible author. Song of Solomon has seven references to myrrh.

In the sole reference in Proverbs, the harlot refers to her bed as having been sprinkled with "... myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon" (7:17). Myrrh is used in a similar way in Song of Solomon, that is, as a personal perfume with erotic overtones (5:5; 5:13). A guild of plants is associated both with the harlot in Proverbs as well as with the lovers in Song of Solomon. These include cassia, aloes (not the bitter aloe of the New Testament), and myrrh. Myrrh is also linked with frankincense in other verses.

Sometimes people confuse myrrh with the plant known as balm or balm of Gilead (Hebrew tesriy or tsoriy) in the Bible. Zohary47 and Hepper48 consider balm to be a species of Commiphora while Stol49 cautions against confusing tsoriy with basem. There is strong historical precedence for this confusion as Josephus suggests that the Queen of Sheba brought a plant of Commiphora when she visited Solomon.50 However, myrrh was used much earlier in Israel as a component of the sacred anointing oil (Exod. 30). Myrrh oil has been found at En Gedi. And several years ago, some shrubs were planted there where they appear to be thriving.51

Other plants have been translated as balm that are not species of Commiphora. A handbook for Bible translators equates balm with Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Del. (Zygophyllaceae),52 perhaps because the oil from the seed was used in embalming in Egypt.53 However, the best candidate for balm of Gilead appears to be Cistus incanus L., including C. creticus and C. villosus, (Cistaceae). Cistus incanus is a common and widespread plant in the Mediterranean region.

The extract of C. incanus is ladanum, or labdanum. It was widely used in the Mediterranean for a variety of medicines. Recent research has documented the medical efficacy of some compounds in ladanum.54 There is also strong biblical evidence that balm of Gilead is C. incanus. The weeping prophet, Jeremiah, refers twice to the balm from Gilead (Jer. 8:22, 46:11). While this could be Commiphora that had been transported there, a more natural explanation is ladanum. Stronger evidence is found in Ezek. 27:17 regarding trade in balm between Israel and Minnith.

Notes

43A. Y. Leung and S. Foster, Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients used in Food, Drugs, and Cosmetics, 2d ed. (New York: Wiley Interscience, 1996).
44R. R. Calkin and J. S. Jellinek, Perfumery: Practice and Principles (New York: Wiley, 1994).
45Science News 149:2 (1996): 20.
46M. Thulin and P. Claeson, "The Botanical Origin of Scented Myrrh (bissabol or habak hadi)," Economic Botany 45:4 (1991): 487–94.
47Zohary, Plants of the Bible.
48Hepper, Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Plants.
49M. Stol, On Trees, Mountains, and Millstones in the Ancient Near East (Leiden: Ex Oriente Lux, 1979).
50Flavius Josephus, The Works of Flavius Josephus, trans. William Whiston (Philadelphia: Winston, 1936).
51Hepper, Baker Encyclopedia of Bible Plants.
52Anonymous, Helps for Translators.
53Hepper, Pharaoh's Flowers.
54A. Danne, F. Peterett and A. Nahrstedt, "Proanthocyanidins from Cistus incanus," Phytochemistry 34:4 (1993): 1129–33.