ABOUT US

Sara Scopsi
Herbalist (BSc Honors Herbal Medicine/ Phytotherapy)
Sara Scopsi studied Herbal Medicine at the University of East London. Since 2012, when she completed her studies, she has been working as a Herbalist in Kythira, Greece where she lives. In recent years she has been teaching Herbal Medicine at the Natural Health Science (NHS) school of alternative and complementary therapies in Athens. She has built with love and passion the herbal shop/herbal apothecary "Elichrysos", in Mylopotamos Kythira, where she prepares her own herbal preparations and products, using only natural ingredients. In the last couple of years she has offered and lead a number of workshops and retreats in herbal product making, herbal therapeutics and plant identification.

Andrea Papadopulos
Andrea has been organizing Events for over 25 years and travelling to Greece for over 35 years! She finally landed in Kythira where she became fast friends with her Co-Host Sara Scopsi. Enamored by the island’s rustic beauty, amazing food and quiet beaches, she and her family have settled in to call Kythira their second home. Sara shared with her a different side of the local scene, including the flora and medicinal properties of the familiar, and not so familiar, plants and herbs that cover the island. The two of them began collaborating. Andrea, with her experience in Event Planning in the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sara, with her equally full experience in Western Herbal Medicine. The outcome is their Elixir Herbal Retreat!

The retreat is based on teaching the participants a basis of herbs that they will be able to use in their lives. It includes a herbal walk where we will be identifying local herbs, talking about the mythology, traditional use and current use of the plants. There will be a talk on herbs that can be used for first aid and in minor ailments. There are a number of hands on workshops including an ointment making workshop where you will be able to add the essential oils specific for your requirement. A workshop on floral essence, teaching you how to make your own essence and the subtle properties of different flowers. Included is a soap making workshop which will introduce you to making olive oil soaps and how to add different herbs to get the desired properties. All culminating in you making your individualized product that you will be able to take home with you.  There will also be an excursion to a bee farm where you will be suited in protective gear to be able to closely observe the workings of a beehive. All this among some free time for swimming in the pristine sea of Kythira and relaxing in the Greek warm sun. Optional yoga classes are also offered.