Content

For the main aromatic and medicinal plants are examined: General elements - origin and distribution, economic importance and uses, development, adaptability (climatic and soil requirements), cultivation technique (crop rotation, soil treatment, inorganic nutrition and fertilization, sowing, water requirements and irrigation, maturation and harvest, main enemies and diseases), products and quality characteristics. Methods of receipt of essential oils and determination of the active ingredients of the essential oils. The effects of the active substances and the poisonous substances they contain on humans are also examined.

At the same time, detailed data on the various extraction methods and types of aromatic extracts are provided, as well as additional data on prices and trends in international markets.

Finally, the possibility of organizing agricultural units for cultivation and processing of aromatic and medicinal plants is studied. The aromatic and medicinal plants that are studied are the following:

Oregano - Thyme - Marjoram

Mountain tea

Honeysuckle - Mint

Basil

Lavender

Sage

Sea fennel

Hypericum - Calendula

Chamomile

Anise-Rosemary-Fennel

Artemisia-Achilles-Valerian

Crocus

Coriander-Cumin

A combination of teaching and learning methods will be used, aiming at the active participation of the students and the practical application of the thematic units under examination; there will also be lectures using audiovisual media, discussions, and analyses of case studies on real business issues, experiential (group) activities, as well as projections of relevant videos.

The students will also undertake an individual or group project.

Furthermore, articles, audiovisual lecture materials, web links/addresses, useful information, case studies and exercises for further practice are posted in digital form on the AUA Open e-Class platform.

Learning results

The aim of the course is:

The course aims to acquaint students with special knowledge related to the technique of cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants, the active substances of essential oils, market requirements, botanical description, soil-climatic requirements and their adaptability to varieties, in the methods of receipt and industrial uses of essential oils and aromatic substances, as well as in the technological processing and marketing of aromatic and medicinal plants.

Upon successful completion of the course the student will be able to:
recognize the most important aromatic and medicinal plants of Greece, as well as their properties and uses, understands how they work and the techniques available for their use, applie techniques during cultivation and after harvest, aimed at obtaining high yields of essential oil with chemotypes
distinguish characteristics that meet the requirements of industry and markets

Bibliography

Suggested Bibliography in Greek Language:

Δόρδας, Χ. (2012). Αρωματικά και Φαρμακευτικά Φυτά. Εκδόσεις ΣΥΓΧΡΟΝΗ ΠΑΙΔΕΙΑ, Θεσσαλονίκη.

Κατσιώτης, Σ.Θ. & Χατζοπούλου, Π.Σ. (2015). Αρωματικά φαρμακευτικά φυτά και αιθέρια έλαια. Εκδόσεις Κυριακίδη.

Suggested Bibliography in English Language:

Mattias, A. & Laisne, N. (2017). Medicinal plants: Production, Cultivation and Uses. Nova Science Publishers.

Related academic journals:

Industrial Crops and Products

Journal of Applied Research on Medicinal and Aromatic Plants

Phytochemistry

Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Instructor's Notes

Web Υπηρεσίες

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The Department was created in 2019 (article 20, Law 4589/2019) and is an evolution of the Supply Systems Management Department (D.S.E.). Housed in a 770 sq.m. building. within a plot with a total area of 8,000 sq.m. in facilities with extensive research and teaching spaces.