Argan oil is exceptional, rare oil produced by pressing the kernels of the fruit of the Argan tree, which grows mainly in the semi desert regions of Morocco. For centuries it has been used by the indigenous Berbers, for its cosmetic, nutritive and medicinal properties. To make a litre of pure Argan oil you need 32 kilograms of fruit. Continue reading
Although it has bloomed quite late this year, the Meadowsweet in the Cornish countryside is as beautiful as ever. It is also referred to as Queen of the Meadow, and rightly so, in my opinion. Continue reading
Vanilla (vanilla planifolia) is a magnificent climbing orchid originating from Mexico and Central America. It can grow up to 30 metres high, and has beautiful greenish-yellow flowers that open for a day each. In the wild there is only a 1% of chance that the flowers will be pollinated, as they depend on a rare local bee, the Melipona, as a carrier. Continue reading
The rose is one of the most popular flowers in the world and the symbol of love, passion, and tenderness. The word rose comes from Greek rodon (red) and its colour is said to have come from the blood of Adonis, the god of beauty in the Greek mythology. Continue reading
Horsetail is a very special plant descending from a family of plants from the paleozoic era (over 400 million years ago). This is why, in my opinion, it harbours the old “memory” of the origin of our Planet. Its Latin name is equisetum arvense, deriving from equus (horse) and seta (bristle) and in England there are 25 different species. Continue reading
Nettle (urtica dioica), is one of my favourite medicinal herbs. Although it is a popular plant in folk medicine, the excellent health giving properties of this much maligned herb are now often sadly overlooked. Continue reading
The latin name for this beautiful plant is Stellaria media: stella means star in latin, and in this instance refers to the tiny white flowers that the plant produces. The flowers open when the sun shines, but close at night, or when the sky is overcast. Continue reading
I love the intense aroma of hazelnut oil, which has a fine texture and a beautiful light brown colour. It is a highly unsaturated vegetable oil which comes, of course, from pressing the nuts of a hazel tree. Continue reading
Tea comes from the plant Camellia sinensis, which is native to China (from the 10th century BC) and South East Asia. It is now cultivated in many other tropical or sub-tropical regions, and the leaves are used to make numerous variations of a wonderful beverage loosely referred to as “tea”. Continue reading
Working from a lab in the remote Cornish countryside, is a constant source of inspiration for me. The Lizard is a wild and beautiful place, and my lunchtime strolls always bring a smile to my face, (especially when the sun shines!). Continue reading
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