Our medicinal plants

We grow organic aromatic plants at an altitude of 900 meters, in the Modenese Apennines, in Roncoscaglia di Sestola. The mountains are not the easiest place to do it — short seasons, difficult germinations — but it gives the plants a character that the lowlands do not have. Each has its own story and uses in tradition. Here are the ones you'll find in our products. What we share here is popular culture and tradition, not therapeutic indications.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Our symbolic plant: over 18,000 specimens grown from seed in 2021. At altitude, Lavandula angustifolia has less camphor than lowland hybrid lavender, resulting in a more delicate and refined fragrance. Traditionally, it is the scent of rest and fragrant wardrobes, used for centuries for linen. From it, we obtain essential oil and lavender water.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

It has a fresh lemon scent and green leaves. Its problem is yield: lemon balm alone produces very little essential oil, making it one of the most difficult and expensive to obtain. For this reason, we distill it together with lavender in our unique blend which we have named Melanda (Melissa + Lavender). In popular tradition, lemon balm is the herb of home gardens, always cultivated near the kitchen door.

Immortelle (Helichrysum italicum)

Intense, warm fragrance, between honeyed and herbaceous: it smells of Mediterranean scrub under the sun. For us, it is still an experimental crop, because it germinates poorly and the altitude is high for a plant of coastal origin. In peasant tradition, it was used in various folk remedies. We obtain immortelle essential oil from it.

Clary Sage (Salvia sclarea)

Not to be confused with culinary sage: the scent is fruity, amber, a bit musky, much loved in perfumery as a base note. It was called "moscatella" because in the past it was used to flavor vinegar and wine. From it, we obtain clary sage essential oil.

Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)

Fresh, pungent, recognizable at first breath thanks to menthol. We use it for essential oil and supply it to Pasticceria del Cimone in Fanano, which uses our food-grade oil to prepare "Buffetto" biscuits.

Monarda (Monarda fistulosa)

Arrived in Europe from North America in the seventeenth century, it is called "wild bergamot" for its citrusy scent. It is rich in thymol, the same constituent as thyme. In Native American tradition, it was considered one of the seven sacred plants. From it, we obtain monarda essential oil. 

Come and see them

These are just some of the plants in our fields. Come and visit us to also see common sage, California poppy, echinacea, and soon, rosemary.

We also organize events and experiences at the farm, among the blooming fields and during distillation. It's the best way to understand what goes into a bottle. For information and dates, contact us.