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  • Ancient Greek Mountain Tea Emerges as a Modern Wellness Discovery

    For centuries, Greeks have brewed mountain tea known as Greek Mountain Tea, Tsai tou Vounou, not simply as a comforting drink, but as a household remedy traditionally used to support wellness, comfort the body during seasonal illness, and promote relaxation. Made from plants in the Sideritis family, often called ironwort, this wild-growing herb has deep roots in Greek tradition. Historical accounts suggest that ancient healers, including Hippocrates, and the Rhizotomoi the root cutters, the of whom the physicians of antiquity worked with as herb specialists, valued it as a tonic, and folklore held that it helped heal wounds inflicted by iron weapons possibly inspiring its botanical name, derived from sideron, the Greek word for iron. Today, modern science is beginning to examine what generations instinctively understood. Researchers studying Sideritis scardica, one of the best-known mountain tea species, have identified a rich concentration of polyphenols, flavonoids, and bioactive compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Laboratory studies suggest these compounds may help the body defend itself against oxidative stress, a damaging cellular process linked to aging, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegeneration. In one comparative investigation, mountain tea demonstrated antioxidant effects at the cellular level comparable to traditional green tea, despite having a different phytochemical profile. (PubMed) What has drawn scientific interest is mountain tea’s potential effect on brain health. Compounds in Sideritis has been studied for possible effects on biological pathways researchers associate with neurodegenerative disease. Experimental research found that extracts of Greek mountain tea reduced the clumping and toxicity of amyloid beta proteins sticky protein fragments strongly associated with Alzheimer’s plaque formation. In model organisms, researchers also observed improved cellular resilience and reduced neurotoxic effects. (PubMed) Human findings are also encouraging, though still early. In a controlled clinical study involving older adults, researchers reported that supplementation with Sideritis scardica was associated with improvements in aspects of cognition, mood, and cerebral blood flow, suggesting that mountain tea’s benefits may extend beyond antioxidant protection and into vascular and neurological support. Better circulation to the brain is increasingly recognized as a critical component of healthy aging and cognitive preservation. (PubMed) Additional preclinical work points toward anti-anxiety, memory-supporting, and neuroprotective properties, likely tied to mountain tea’s ability to reduce inflammation, support neurotransmitter balance, and improve the body’s own antioxidant defenses. (PubMed) Still, scientists caution against overstating the evidence. Much of the strongest research has been conducted in laboratory models or animal studies, and larger long-term human trials are needed before mountain tea can be positioned as a clinical therapy. However, one conclusion is becoming clear: what was once considered folk wisdom is increasingly supported by modern reserach. In a world searching for natural ways to age well, protect the brain, and reduce chronic inflammation, Greece’s humble mountain tea is emerging as a traditional herb worthy of continued scientific study, and it may be one of the Mediterranean’s quiet health treasures, steeped in both history and science. (PMC) Note: *Mountain tea should not be presented as a treatment or substitute for medical care, and people taking medications or managing medical conditions should consult a qualified health professional

  • From Classroom to Coastline: ACS Athens Joins Global Alliance for Ocean Sustainability

    In the photo (from left) Ms. Karla Tanas, Dean of the ACS Athens Institute, Ms. Beatrice Tintore, Head of Marine Mammal Research at the “Archipelagos” Marine Conservation Institute, Mr. Kostis Frangoulis, President of the Propeller Club of Piraeus, the President of ACS Athens, Dr. Peggy Peloni and Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Special Envoy of the Prime Minister for the Protection of the Seas and President of the Special Permanent Committee on Environmental Protection of the Parliament during the presentation of the “Blue Frontiers” program.

    ACS Athens proudly hosted the signing ceremony for the Blue Frontiers Program, an inspiring international partnership between Roger Williams University, the International Propeller Club Port of Piraeus, the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, and ACS Athens. This collaborative initiative establishes a strategic alliance dedicated to advancing maritime education and ocean stewardship for the next generation of leaders.

    The program, centered on a commitment known as "Our Pledge," offers students a real-world summer exploration of the Earth’s oceans and the burgeoning global Blue economy. By combining academic rigor with scientific research and industry networking, the partners aim to inspire youth to protect and sustainably manage marine environments.

    The event featured impactful remarks by ACS Athens President Dr. Peggy Pelonis and Mr. Costis Frangoulis, President of the International Propeller Club, Port of Piraeus, whose vision and leadership continue to champion environmental stewardship and youth opportunity. The ceremony also welcomed Dr. Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, Greek Prime Minister’s Envoy for the Ocean and Chair of the Special Parliamentary Committee on Environmental Protection, who underscored the national and global importance of such initiatives.

    A significant highlight of the partnership is the generous scholarship support provided by Mr. Frangoulis and the Propeller Club, which helps make this transformative experience accessible to students. Additional insights were shared during the ceremony by Ms. Carla Tanas, Dean of the Institute, and Ms. Beatriz Tintoré of the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation, who both emphasized the vital intersection of research, sustainability, and experiential learning.

    Through the Blue Frontiers summer program, students are challenged to embrace Conscious Global Citizenship—applying their skills, compassion, and learning to protect the oceans and improve life and living for future generations.

    The official agreement was signed on May 13, 2026, at ACS Athens, marking a new chapter in international educational collaboration for the benefit of the global maritime community.

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