Spring is a fascinating season in Provence, as it is everywhere else!
Our Provençal countryside is adorned with colourful flowers, from poppies and wild irises to almond and cherry trees, whose pretty blossoms brighten up the landscape.
After talking to you about thyme a few weeks ago, we’re going to introduce you to another emblematic plant of our beautiful Provence: Rosemary.
Rosemary
Rosemary belongs to the vast Lamiaceae family, as do many of the aromatic herbs that are so popular in our beautiful Provence.
Rosemary is a plant that thrives in arid mountain climates.
It is often found in the wild, in our beautiful garrigue, as it thrives on rocky, chalky soil.
This shrub can reach heights of up to 1.50 m in the wild and almost 2 m when cultivated.
Rosemary can be recognised all year round, thanks to its leaves, which are present at all times of the year. An early bloomer, it starts flowering in some regions from November and continues until April. Rosemary is then adorned with magnificent little violet flowers.
A local aromatic plant
Rosemary is one of the most widely used aromatic herbs in Mediterranean cuisine.
The leafy branches of rosemary are best eaten fresh, but can also be stored dried.
Rosemary flowers can also be eaten. They have a milder flavour and can be eaten fresh. They go particularly well with desserts.
The branches and leaves are often used to flavour meats, especially lamb.
It is also often used in perfumery. It was one of the ingredients in the very first perfume ever created, in the 14th century.
Because of its very strong, woody scent, rosemary is mainly used in men’s fragrances.
A natural medicine
Rosemary has many medicinal properties. It is drunk as an infusion. In particular, it is known to aid digestion and strengthen the gall bladder.
It also has antibacterial effects, making it a popular natural ingredient in household products.
Rosemary essential oil also has stimulating properties for the nervous system, helping to treat certain cases of depression.
Using rosemary oil in a bath also helps to improve blood circulation, thereby reducing the risk of arterial occlusions. With its analgesic properties, rosemary essential oil is also used in massage oils to relieve the pain of rheumatism, stimulate the lymphatic system and, in some cases, help with weight loss.
Plaisirs et Maisons de Provence invites you to stay in one of its holiday rentals and discover this aromatic plant.
We invite you to contact our agency Plaisirs & Maisons de Provence or to request a tailor-made quote by clicking on this link.
