Creta BotaniKa
Ancient wisdom meets modern wellness — from the heart of Crete
A Living Apothecary
Built from Barren Earth
In June 2022, Dr. Adel El-Mowafi stood on a piece of dry, rocky, seemingly lifeless Cretan land near Kartsinianos and saw something different — a living sanctuary waiting to emerge. Using permaculture design principles and sacred geometry, he transformed it rock by rock into a series of breathtaking mandala gardens: concentric circles of stone-bordered planting beds radiating outward from central points, set among ancient olive trees.
Today, Creta BotaniKa grows over a dozen varieties of Mediterranean herbs — rosemary, lavender, sage, thyme, Greek oregano, calendula, spearmint, lemon balm, rose geranium, and more. The garden is both a working apothecary and a demonstration that healing environments can be built from almost nothing, through daily, patient, consistent effort.
The garden and its people — Kartsinianos, Crete
From Rocky Ground
to Mandala Garden
This short film captures the remarkable journey of Creta BotaniKa — from its very first days as bare, sun-baked Cretan earth to the thriving mandala garden it is today. Watch the land come alive, stone by stone, herb by herb.
The transformation took place over just a few years through daily dedication, permaculture design, and a deep respect for the land — a philosophy that runs through every product and class offered at Creta BotaniKa.
Garden Tours & Herbal Workshops
Step into the mandala gardens of Crete and experience the living apothecary first-hand. Walk among the herbs, learn their stories, and take home the knowledge to heal with nature.
Guided Garden Tour
Walk through four mandala gardens among ancient olive trees. Discover over a dozen Mediterranean herb varieties, learn about their medicinal properties, and witness how permaculture and sacred geometry shaped this extraordinary landscape.
- ◆Guided walk through all four mandala gardens
- ◆Herb identification & medicinal properties
- ◆Harvesting & drying demonstration
- ◆Q&A with the garden's creator
Herbal Remedy Workshop
Learn to prepare the same herbal remedies and teas produced at Creta BotaniKa. From elderberry syrup and fire cider to healing salves and relaxing tea blends — hands-on preparation guided by Dr. El-Mowafi himself.
- ◆Elderberry syrup preparation
- ◆Fire cider tonic blending
- ◆Herbal tea recipe creation
- ◆Healing salve making
- ◆Take-home recipe cards
Our Natural Products
Every product is made with all-natural ingredients, combining ancient herbal wisdom with careful, small-batch production at our Cretan garden.
Products Currently Under Development & Regulatory Review
The herbal products showcased below are currently in development and undergoing regulatory approval. They are not yet available for sale or commercial distribution. We are sharing them here to give you a preview of what Creta BotaniKa is crafting. Register your interest and we will notify you as soon as they become available.
Immune SupportIn DevelopmentElderberry Syrup
Nature's Immune Booster
Delicious and effective, our elderberry syrup supports your immune system during cold and flu season. Made with elderberry, echinacea, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, honey, and liquorice — a recipe rooted in ancient Greek and Egyptian tradition.
Intended Usage: 1 tablespoon daily. Shake before use. Refrigerate when open.
Digestive TonicIn DevelopmentFire Cider
Nature's Powerful Tonic
Nine powerful herbs extracted in apple cider vinegar. Inspired by Rosemary Gladstar's beloved recipe, this tonic gradually strengthens and builds the immune system. Ingredients include onion, ginger, horseradish, garlic, turmeric, lime, thyme, cinnamon, rosemary, cayenne, and peppercorns.
Intended Usage: 1 tablespoon morning and evening, preferably on an empty stomach.
Pain ReliefIn DevelopmentHerbal Healing Salve
Natural Relief for Muscle & Joint Pain
Formulated with five infused oils — St. John's Wort, Arnica, Calendula, Comfrey, and Lavender — this salve provides soothing relief for muscle and joint pain, promoting comfort and relaxation through entirely natural ingredients.
Intended Usage: Apply to affected areas as needed. Gentle enough for daily use.
RelaxationIn DevelopmentHerbal Relaxing Tea
A Soothing Cretan Blend
100% natural and made with care at Creta BotaniKa. A carefully selected blend of spearmint, broad leaf basil, rose geranium, lavender, and lemon balm — herbs grown in our own mandala gardens and harvested at peak potency.
Intended Usage: Steep 1–2 teaspoons in hot water for 5–7 minutes. Enjoy morning or evening.
CulinaryIn DevelopmentHerb Sprinkles
Add Flavour to Every Meal
A traditional Zaatar-inspired blend of dried Mediterranean herbs from our garden. Sprinkle over salads, bread with olive oil, grilled vegetables, or any dish that deserves a touch of Cretan authenticity.
Intended Usage: Use as a seasoning on any dish. Pairs beautifully with our Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Energy & VitalityIn DevelopmentEnergy Balls
Aphrodisiac & Natural Energy Boost
100% all-natural energy balls made with dates, figs, nuts, honey, and superfood powders. A delicious, nourishing snack that draws on traditional Mediterranean wisdom for sustained vitality.
Intended Usage: Enjoy 1–2 balls as a snack or pre-activity energy boost.
More Products in the Pipeline
We are also developing Fortified EVOO with Vitamin D3 & K2 and Fortified EVOO with Omega-3 (algal oil) — combining the heart of Cretan cuisine with modern nutritional science. All products will be available once regulatory approval is complete.
Interested in our products? Register your interest and be the first to know when they launch.
Extra Virgin
Olive Oil
Pure taste of Crete — now in Norway
Indulge in the rich, authentic flavour of Creta BotaniKa Extra Virgin Olive Oil, grown under the sun-drenched groves of Sissi, Crete. Cold extracted from the prized Koroneiki variety — the finest Greek olive — it preserves its natural antioxidants, polyphenols, and vibrant aroma in every drop.
✅ Approved & Available — Norwegian Market
Creta BotaniKa Extra Virgin Olive Oil is fully approved and available for purchase in Norway. Imported by Adel Invest AS · Stocked locally in Sandnes · Available for direct order throughout Norway.
International orders welcome — contact us via email.
How to Order
Norway orders: [email protected] · +47 47 13 46 33
Vipps #967641 is available for Norwegian customers only.
EVOO Boosted with
Vitamins D3 & K2
A new generation of functional olive oil
Our next innovation — the same premium cold-extracted Koroneiki Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Crete, now enriched with Vitamin D3 (for bone strength, immune function, and mood) and Vitamin K2 (for calcium metabolism and cardiovascular health). A daily drizzle becomes a daily dose of wellness.
Herbal Remedies
& Teas Classes
Held in the heart of the Creta BotaniKa mandala gardens, these immersive hands-on classes teach you to prepare the same herbal remedies, tonics, and teas that have been crafted here for years. Walk among the herbs, harvest them fresh, and transform them into powerful natural preparations you take home.
Led by Dr. Adel El-Mowafi, Ph.D. — author of Living Well, Living Long — each session combines traditional herbalism with modern wellness science, giving you practical skills rooted in the same knowledge that fills his book.
What You'll Prepare
Elderberry Syrup
Learn to prepare the classic immune-boosting elderberry syrup using elderberry, echinacea, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, honey, and liquorice. You'll take home your own jar and the full recipe.
Fire Cider Tonic
Master Rosemary Gladstar's legendary fire cider — nine powerful herbs extracted in apple cider vinegar. Onion, ginger, horseradish, garlic, turmeric, lime, thyme, cinnamon, rosemary, cayenne, and peppercorns.
Healing Herbal Salve
Create your own healing salve using five infused oils: St. John's Wort, Arnica, Calendula, Comfrey, and Lavender — for muscle and joint pain relief. A hands-on introduction to herbal oil infusion.
Relaxing Tea Blends
Blend and taste a selection of Cretan herbal teas using herbs harvested fresh from the garden: spearmint, broad-leaf basil, rose geranium, lavender, and lemon balm. Learn drying, blending, and steeping techniques.
Adaptogen Tinctures
Discover herbal adaptogens — ashwagandha, holy basil, and Cretan herbs — and learn to prepare simple tinctures and infusions that support the nervous system and build long-term resilience.
Herbal Honeys & Oxymels
Prepare herb-infused honeys and oxymels (honey + vinegar) as ancient preservation and medicine methods. Thyme honey, lavender honey, and a traditional Cretan oxymel for respiratory health.
Also Available: Longevity Nutrition Talks
Dr. El-Mowafi also delivers his acclaimed "Living Well, Living Long" lecture series — covering the Four Pillars of Holistic Health (Lifestyle, Nutrition, Herbal Support, and Movement) — for wellness retreats, community groups, and corporate wellness events.
Classes are available for individuals, couples, and small groups. Contact us to arrange a session at the garden.
Adel El-Mowafi, Ph.D.
Author · Researcher · Garden Creator
Over 35 years of research experience spanning academia, industry, and community health education. Ph.D., Six Sigma certified, Permaculture Designer, and creator of Creta BotaniKa. His multicultural background — rooted in Egyptian heritage and enriched by international experience — gives him a distinctive voice bridging Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Western wellness traditions.
Living Well,
Living Long
A Holistic Approach to Everyday Vitality
This book opens with Sofia — an 85-year-old woman who tends her garden and still cooks for her family's taverna for nine hours daily. Her vitality is not the result of one miracle habit. It is the product of simple, consistent choices made over a lifetime. This philosophy runs through every chapter.
Built around the author's Four Pillars framework — developed through years of academic research, permaculture practice at Creta BotaniKa, and a 12-part community lecture series — the book translates complex wellness science into clear, actionable guidance. Every chapter includes a 7-Day Challenge and practical worksheets.
Inside the Book
Plus a comprehensive Holistic Health Companion covering heart health, kidney health, joint care, skin, diabetes prevention, cancer prevention, women's health, men's health, and more — each with herbal protocols, recipes, and 7-Day Challenges.
Designing with Nature,
Not Against It
Dr. Adel El-Mowafi brings over a decade of hands-on permaculture design experience across two continents. From the rocky hillsides of Crete to the coastal shores of Prince Edward Island, Canada — his designs transform challenging land into productive, beautiful, and self-sustaining ecosystems.
Point Prim, Prince Edward Island
Canada · Atlantic Coast
A four-year permaculture transformation of a coastal homestead on the shores of Prince Edward Island. Starting from open, wind-exposed land, Dr. Adel designed and implemented a complete food forest, mandala vegetable gardens, windbreak hedgerows, and water harvesting systems — creating a productive, sheltered, and biodiverse homestead by the Atlantic.
Point Prim Homestead
Prince Edward Island · Atlantic Canada
Design Services
Site Assessment & Analysis
Comprehensive evaluation of your land — soil, water, sun, wind, and existing ecology — to map the full potential of your site.
Mandala Garden Design
Sacred geometry applied to productive growing: circular, spiral, and keyhole beds that maximise yield in minimal space.
Food Forest Planning
Multi-layer edible landscapes — canopy, shrub, herb, and ground cover — designed for long-term abundance with minimal maintenance.
Water Harvesting Systems
Swales, berms, and rain gardens that capture and slow water movement, recharging the soil and reducing irrigation needs.
Homestead & Farm Design
Whole-farm permaculture plans integrating animals, crops, buildings, and energy systems into a coherent, resilient design.
Consulting & Mentorship
One-to-one guidance for landowners, farmers, and communities who want to implement permaculture principles on their own terms.
The Three Ethics of Permaculture
Nurture and protect the living systems of the planet.
Support communities to access the resources they need.
Return surplus to the earth and to people in need.
Interested in a permaculture design for your land?
From Shipping Container
to Living Farm
In Prince Edward Island, Canada, Dr. Adel transformed a 53-foot trailer into a fully operational microgreens growing facility — demonstrating that high-quality, nutrient-dense food can be produced anywhere, in any climate, with minimal space and resources.
The PEI Container Story
The project began as an experiment: could a single trailer, properly equipped, supply a family — and eventually a small community — with fresh, living greens year-round? The answer was a resounding yes.
The trailer was insulated, fitted with full-spectrum LED grow lights, a simple irrigation system, and climate control. Within weeks, the first trays of sunflower, pea shoots, radish, and broccoli microgreens were ready to harvest — and the results were extraordinary.
The 53-foot trailer converted into a growing facility — Point Prim, PEI
Nutrient Density
Up to 40× more nutrients than mature counterparts — concentrated vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in every small leaf.
Fast Growing
From seed to harvest in 7–14 days. Year-round production regardless of outdoor climate.
Container System
A standard trailer becomes a fully controlled growing environment — insulated, LED-lit, and climate-regulated.
Zero Pesticides
Grown in a clean, controlled environment with no need for pesticides or herbicides.
Build Your Own Microgreens System
Dr. Adel offers consulting for families, restaurants, and small farms wanting to set up their own container or indoor microgreens facility. From site planning to first harvest.
The Olive Harvest
Experience
Join us each November for one of Crete's most ancient and meaningful traditions. Harvest Koroneiki olives by hand, visit the stone press oil mill, and taste freshly cold-extracted extra virgin olive oil — the liquid gold of the Mediterranean.
Ancient Koroneiki olive trees — some over 100 years old — spread their canopy across the grove
Your Day in the Grove
Arrive at the Grove
Meet your host and learn about the ancient Koroneiki variety and the history of Cretan olive cultivation
Join the Harvest
Spread the nets, use traditional rakes, and experience the satisfying work of gathering olives by hand
Visit the Oil Mill
Travel to the local stone press mill and witness the cold extraction process that preserves every nutrient
Taste & Compare
Sit down for a guided tasting of different olive oils — fresh-pressed, aged, and infused — with local bread and herbs
From Grove to Liquid Gold
Five films from our November 2026 harvest — the complete journey from ancient trees to cold-pressed oil
The Harvest in Motion
Watch the full olive harvest process — nets, raking, and collecting
Join the 2026 Harvest
A full day from grove to mill — harvest, press visit, and olive oil tasting.
From €65 per person · Includes lunch in the grove
What Our Visitors Say
Walking through the mandala garden with Dr. Adel was one of the most memorable experiences of our trip to Crete. He has an extraordinary gift for making ancient herbal knowledge feel completely relevant to modern life. We left with jars of elderberry syrup we made ourselves, and a completely different relationship with the plants around us.
Share Your Experience
Have you visited the garden, attended a class, or used our products? We'd love to hear your story. Your experience helps others discover Creta BotaniKa.
You can also share your visit on our YouTube channel — we welcome video testimonials and garden walk-through videos from our guests.
Visit, Learn &
Experience Crete
Whether you'd like to book a garden tour, join a herbal remedies class, order our products, or enquire about the book — we'd love to hear from you.
Vipps #967641 — available for olive oil orders within Norway only. For international orders, please contact us by email.