Cyprus is a small island with a long history and a rich culture that spans 10,000 years, making it one of the oldest civilisations in the Mediterranean - as evidenced by the many fascinating cultural sights, museums, monuments and galleries. Situated at the crossroads of three continents - Europe, Asia and Africa - the island’s unique geographic position has played an important part in its turbulent past since antiquity. Its Prehistoric Age inhabitants were joined 3,500 years ago by the Mycenaean Greeks, who introduced and established their civilisation, thus permanently instilling the island’s Greek roots. Many other cultures followed thereafter, including Phoenicians, Assyrians, Egyptians, Romans, Franks, Venetians, Ottomans and British, who all left behind visible remnants of their passage, and have thus created a mosaic of different cultures and periods.
From antiquity Cyprus was famous for its herbs. Due to its geology (in particular the rich and fertile terra rossa soils present), geographical position, altitude and climate, more than 600 herb species can be located on the island. Cyprus herb processing and trade date as back as 2,000BC and their significance is portrayed in many archaeological and historical manuscripts.
The story behind the vision and motivation of Cyherbia began in 2004, with Adam and Miranda, when their first born Melina, used to get sick a lot as a child. Melina had immune system problems and would get sick more often than most. Due to over-prescribing various pharmaceutical drugs and antibiotics, any antibiotics had become ineffective and Melina had no defences left against even the mildest cold or flu. One day, Miranda decided to take an alternative route for Melina's recovery. She started adding more and more vegetables and fruit to the child's diet, as well as giving her daily herbal infusions to re-build the immune system. She started studying more and more about natural and herbal remedies and natural medicine. To her great delight she found that common garden herbs were able to augment the immune system and directly fight off colds and flu as well. Melina steadily became healthier and stronger and after a year she didn't need to visit the doctor anymore.
While Miranda's thirst for studying herbal medicine grew more and more, one day, Adam tagged along with a friend to view a piece of land this friend was interested in buying. The field was in Avgorou village. When they arrived, Adam's friend decided he didn't want the piece of land, but Adam liked it and ended up buying the land. Adam then, had a vision of growing herbs for the family, which led to growing herbs for the public, which led to educating the public about herbal medicine and eventually, his vision became today's Cyherbia botanical park.
Miranda gained a degree in herbal medicine, while Adam started designing the botanical park and planted Cypriot and Mediterranean trees and herbs which he had grown up with. After 7 years of blood, sweat and tears, failures and successes, doubts and hopes, the family opened their creation to the public in September 2012.
Cyherbia have developed a Sanctuary Woodland, where the Island of Cyprus has been carved out using the Cypress trees, with a pathway taking you around the coastline. Along the walk visitors will be able to see some of the wildlife of Cyprus, from lizards to praying mantis, from butterflies to ladybirds, from falcons to swallows and swifts. The walk guides you round the Island of Cyprus, taking you to various key points of interest, visit Paphos, Limassol, Larnaca, Protoras and Kyrenia all in a single short walk, where you’ll discover the many different types of trees indigenous to the island, each marked to describe the plant itself.
In addition there are nine different herb gardens: bath, lavender, medicinal, aromatic, pest control, ladies, toxic, relaxation and kitchen.
Cyherbia do not believe in using any chemicals or pesticides and nurture their herbs naturally. Their love for nature and the environment shines through, creating the purest and most delicious cup. Cyherbia also help us to source herbs which they do not grow themselves from ethically minded family farms across the island. We are forever thankful.
