There are only a few more days until Christmas. It will be totally different from other years, but Christmas mood is on! COVID-19 or not, some things never change. Changing the decoration of our environs and our routines in our homes and lives for various occasions not only changes our mood, it helps us realize that a new day os beginning, that we are turning a page in our history.

This pandemic may have made some things monotonous, but remembering our traditions and our culture and following our beliefs bring us back to reality, remembering who we are and what makes us human. Finding solutions with caution, a vaccine or a medicine, which means scientific thinking with a twist of human consciousness and empathy, helped us survive in a changing planet as a species. This spectacular thing we are able do, to control our mind and what we think about, are the ability to be positive, are magnificent things and useful in our current circumstances.

The artistic side you have – everyone has one even though not everyone has explored theirs yet – enables you to take journeys through your senses and imagination and allows you to dress your home in the Christmas spirit. There are numerous crafts with natural materials found on the internet – dried fruit, ginger biscuit-like ornaments for the tree and others. But which plants and natural substances can you use for food, health and spiritual relief? Wine with herbs!

Red wine is known for its contributions to good health. Daily partaking of wine in the context of the Mediterranean diet is an indicator of longevity. Even if you cannot afford to buy the most expensive wine, you can make a wonderful beverage with herbs to boost the flavor, aroma, and health factors of all red wine. Cinnamon, orange, and other citrus fruits, star anise and cardamom may not be Greek plants but the combination of them in the wine make being on your sofa in your pajamas the best party! Just boil them all together and enjoy the hot wine. These kinds of hot wines – mulled wine – are very common at the Christmas fairs in countries like Germany and the UK. In ancient Greece, they combined herbs like thyme, oregano, mint, sage for healing wounds or to help with stomach aches. Blending and trying new things is what creativity truly means! Open your herb cabinet and smell all the jars you have. Imagine the aroma in the wine and make your own mix! Cheers!

*The above is not medical advice but mere suggestions for improving your diet. Before reach herbal use you should consult your doctor, especially those who have health issues, are pregnant or are under the age of 6.

Evropi-Sofia Dalampira is an Agriculturist-MSc Botany-Biology and PhD Candidate in Agricultural-Environmental Education and Science Communication.