“Kantilaki” (Greek horehound)

Until recently, in order to light their candles, people in Kythera, used the natural calyx of this plant, known as “kantilaki” (Ballota acetabulosa), instead of wicks made of wax or paraffin.

The calyces look like tiny funnels and are placed inverted, in two, on the surface of the oil in the lamp. They stay lit all night and do not create any smoke.

The Greek horehound is also a known therapeutic herb since antiquity and it is still used in folk medicine. Anticonvulsant, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties have been recently proven in laboratory findings.