Italy
Immortelle, lavender, clary sage and more

Fragrant plant: Immortelle, lavender, etc.
Growing region: Piedmont, Italy
Cultivation partner since: 1997
Special features: Cooperative with passion for the biodynamic cultivation of traditional Mediterranean medicinal herbs and 42 independent partners

Cultivating long-term partnerships with plant growers, to get to know countries, people, and cultures, and also to establish friendly contacts, these fragrance journeys have always been part of farfalla's corporate culture. Of course, we also want to ensure that all producers meet our high standards during our visits. However, we don't see all plant growers as often as we see the members of the cooperative in Piedmont, to which we owe a large number of essential oils.

It almost sounds like a fairytale – over seven mountains, amidst the beautiful rolling hills of Piedmont, in the most remote spot (the middle of nowhere), there are a group of farmers dedicated entirely to the organic cultivation of aromatic plants. It certainly is magically beautiful here, off the beaten tourist track: In wild valleys and on slopes and places where hardly any tourists venture, they cultivate Mediterranean aromatic plants and medicinal herbs, which are harvested in the summer and delivered to the cooperative's shared distillery.

From cultivation to harvesting and distillation, the work is carried out entirely according to the strict guidelines of biodynamic farming. Here, farfalla sources various oils from this project:  lavender, peppermint, immortelle, hyssop, thyme thymol, sweet fennel, chamomile, lemon balm, clary sage, and sage. The 42 independent farmers who belong to the cooperative, cultivate a total of 230 hectares of aromatic plants. Their fields, shades of blue and purple, bright green, or golden yellow, nestle in the rolling hills of Piedmont. Invited by Roberto, one of the cooperative's members, we wanted to learn more about the cultivation of the typical Mediterranean medicinal herbs: hyssop, mint, and immortelle.

He sent us a map of the route in advance, and we arranged to meet in the immortelle field. Great idea, but poorly mapped! Between the hills and valleys and lavender-lined switchbacks, we have to admit: We're completely lost. At last we thought to have finally found the little village where Roberto's farm was supposed to be, although even our Japanese navigation system seems to be quite overwhelmed by this area. Surely someone here can help us! But our questions about Roberto, hyssop, or immortelle are met with only puzzled faces. An elderly villager offers a promising clue:

In a valley further away, there was apparently a farmer who had beautiful fields of yellow lavender; "la lavanda gialla." Yellow lavender? That could only be Roberto!

Ever since then, immortelle has had this nickname for us. But it cannot be considered the yellow counterpart to lavender in aromatherapy: While both are holistically relaxing, lavender is primarily grounding and physically balancing, while immortelle is mentally balancing and opening. Its essential oil was described by the French aromatherapist Dr. D. Pénoel as the "superarnica" of aromatherapy – so impressive are its properties as a first-aid oil. It is definitely worth taking a look at the specialist literature and familiarizing yourself with the range of applications of immortelle oil and its hydrosol. It owes its French name, "the immortal," to its yellow flowers, which lose virtually no color even months after harvest and is therefore also known as everlasting.

With an overwhelming fragrance, the sun draws a spicy-sweet, curry-like aroma from each individual blossom.

Napoleon, it is said, while still at sea, could tell that they approached his Corsican homeland – by the smell the scent of the abundance of blooming immortelles. Native to Italy and Corsica, and practically throughout the Mediterranean, the "Helichrysum italicum" – the plant's botanical name – prefers warm, dry, barren soils and covers hills and valleys from the coast to the interior with its yellow carpets of flowers.

Behind the seven mountains, nestled among the seven hills, truly beautiful fields shine out at us: the hyssop shines blue, surpassed by the blooming immortelle in golden yellow. Roberto's expression as he walks through the fragrant plants speaks volumes: Look at this splendor! The modest pride we sense in his expression is his satisfaction for a year of dedicated work with the plants and his gratitude to nature. These moments are particularly meaningful to us: Our contact with the farmers gives us the strength and inspiration to dedicate ourselves to precisely this work of respectful, organic farming. We've been doing this for over 30 years – and for over 20 years, we've been working with the cooperative in Piedmont led by Roberto and Giancarlo.

Piedmont is famous for its truffles and wine, but traditional southern herbs and aromatic plants are also part of the cultural heritage here, which is proudly presented. As we head home, tired and weary from the search and the sun, to end the day comfortably and deliciously at the Agriturismo, we unexpectedly end up at a herb festival in the village of Sala San Giovanni.

Not far from Roberto's fields, the small village sits perched on a hill, surrounded by fields of aromatic herbs and spices. Every year at the end of June, the "non solo erbe" festival takes place here. The three-day festival attracts thousands of visitors and is popular with locals and tourists alike. It resembles a herb fair, with its many small stalls, where locals offer all sorts of aromatic plants and herbs.

A true stroke of luck for us: Music and dancing enchant us in the picturesque piazzas, stalls offering cuisine of Piedmont tempt us in the shady alleys, and the centerpiece of the spectacle is our beloved aromatic plants. In addition to traditional herbal specialties, we are particularly impressed by the innovative and sometimes truly unusual products made with and from herbs that are presented here. A visit to "non solo erbe" is a must for fragrance lovers.