As the Sun starts to heat everything up, the land starts to have a much more arid look. But here and there wild flowers still bloom.
Helichrysum stoechas Erva-do-Caril This gorgeous plant will continue to bloom for months and has a wonderful aroma. Also some great medicinal properties, such as anti-bacterial and anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory especially in stomach and urinary complaints. This herb is also used in cooking around these parts, added to all sorts of foods! Very happy that it is growing at Ceratonia.
Our little river is also nearly dry, but as you can see a lushness of sorts still lingers. Acanthus mollis looking good and is an ancient medicine. Such as a poultice of the leaves was used for dislocated joints.
Wild Carrot (Daucus carota) Cenoura selvagem is all over Ceratonia and has been for some time. The Apiaceae family is vast and many species can look very similar. But there is no doubting this one and when dug up the smell of carrot is overwhelming!
This gorgeous soothing anti-inflammatory is a very useful herb, easing chesty coughs and sore stomach. The Mallow (Malva sylvestris) Malvas is another plant that is used in Portuguese cuisine.
The aroma is what got me first and then realising that we have our own wild Clematis (Clematis flammula) climbing around has been a fabulous find! On first reading this plant is pretty toxic. However there is more than meets the eye to this plant and many others like it. Much more on this subject will be discussed in the future.
Oleander (Nerium oleander) Poisonous I hear you cry! Yes it is! This is our wild one growing and actually we have planted a few more.. Why?? Well it needs no water and it has a gorgeous bloom which cheers the heart. The strong colours are a powerful tonic and the creamy white species that we also have, has an amazing sweet aroma.
The healing gardens at Ceratonia are not just about consuming the plants. The healing also come with spending time with the plants and understanding the spirit essence of each one. In the case of the Oleander, the essence helps to unearth deeply buried emotional turmoil. Working with this essence helps one to see the light and find a pathway out of depression.
The healing gardens at Ceratonia are not just about consuming the plants. The healing also come with spending time with the plants and understanding the spirit essence of each one. In the case of the Oleander, the essence helps to unearth deeply buried emotional turmoil. Working with this essence helps one to see the light and find a pathway out of depression.
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