About Your Wild Crete Guides

Patricia Kyritsi Howell is a renowned herbalist, educator, and author with a deep connection to the medicinal plants of both Greece and the Southern Appalachian Mountains. 

Patricia is the founder and director of the BotanoLogos School of Herbal Studies in Clayton, Georgia. For the past thirty years, she has imparted her extensive knowledge of herbal medicine to many students, serving as a mentor and leader in the use of medicinal plants of the Southern Appalachians.

Wild Crete tours reflect her deep ancestral roots in Greece. Her great-grandmother was born in Sfakia, located in southwest Crete, and her family's ancestral home is on the Greek island of Melos, about 50 miles north of Crete. Both her father and grandfather were accomplished chefs, which inspired her love of cooking and interest in the culinary traditions of Crete. For over twenty years, Patricia has been hosting small-group tours to explore the medicinal and edible herbs and experience the traditional cuisine of Crete.

She is also the author of the recently published "Medicinal Plants of the Southern Appalachians: Second Edition," a definitive resource on the medicinal uses of native plants in the region and a Registered Herbalist member of the American Herbalists Guild.

I am delighted to introduce Anna Papazoglou, a certified aromatherapist and the Airmid Institute ambassador for Greece, who will be joining us for the May 2026 tour. She is the only Greek professional member of both the Alliance of International Aromatherapists (AIA) and the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists (IFPA). These international memberships not only reflect her global recognition but also signify her expertise and commitment to the field. She is also a member of the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy (NAHA) at the Level 3 level and the International Clinical Aromatherapy Network (ICAN).

She is deeply committed to the safe use of essential oils, the importance of moderation in dosage, and the prioritization of non-threatened endemic and native species. Anna's inspiring goal is to bring high-level aromatherapy education to Greece, paving the way for a future where the safe and effective use of essential oils is widely understood and practiced.

Although she holds multiple international memberships, Anna describes herself as a lifelong learner. She continues her postgraduate studies because she believes there is always something new to learn. Her earlier academic background is in History and Photography, fields that continue to shape her way of seeing and understanding the world.

Anna's profound belief in the deep connection between humans and the plants we have known all our lives instills a sense of connection and harmony with nature. She sees using them as akin to asking for the help of an old friend, and she believes that nature provides everything we need if we respect this gift and ensure its sustainability.