Older adults explore the healing power of herbs in intercommunal trip

On 13 June, when the lavender was in full bloom, 70 older adults participants from the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities explored the beautiful lavender gardens of Cyherbia Botanical Park in Avgorou, Famagusta, and learned about the healing benefits of locally grown herbs, as part of the ECOAGE Project. The activity started with an introduction of the facility by the co-founder Miranda Tringis, who then gave a tour of the gardens. The participants studied a variety of herbs and learned how to use them as tea, herbal oils or tonics/sprays for benefits in areas such as hormonal health, hair and skin, repelling insects, cold and flu, and stress relief. They also tasted freshly made lavender and lemon ice tea and explored the labyrinth.

A big thank you to Cyherbia Botanical Park and all the participants for their enthusiastic participation! The trip was organised by project implementors Youth Empowerment Foundation – IEEN and the Association of Elderly Rights and Mental Health, in collaboration with the Cyprus Third Age Observatory and the University of Kyrenia 60+ Refreshment University. The Ecoage project is also implemented by the University College for Green Development Norway, and benefits from a grant under the Active Citizens Fund Cyprus programme, funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, through the EEA and Norway Grants 20142021.