Rosemary
Latin name: Rosmarinus officinalis
A typically Mediterranean herb, rosemary has been used for its medicinal properties for centuries.
Here in the Alpujarras, rosemary flowers once a year, in wintertime.
It has white or bluish flowers.
The essential oil of Rosmarinus officinalis has a multitude of uses, from energising to improving circulation, for hair and scalp care, respiratory problems and muscle aches.
Woolly lavender
Latin name: Lavandula lanata
This
lavender has a rather localised distribution and notably prefers
calcareous soils.
It owes its name to a white fluff which covers its
broad leaves.
The flowers are classic 'ears' of lavender and appear
in July and August.
The
essential oil of Lavandula lanata has a characteristically
high percentage of camphor.
Camphor has medicinal properties, such as
being an expectorant, but can be toxic in high doses, so caution is
advised.
Other properties of this essential oil are imilar to those
of other lavenders – it is relaxing and good for healing wounds.
Stoechas lavender
Latin name: Lavandula stoechas
This characteristically Mediterranean lavender is found on acid soils.Its
leaves are narrow and greyish and its compact flower spike is crowned
by two long purple petals.
The flowering period is
April-May.
The
essential oil of Lavandula stoechas
is highly valued in aromatherapy.
It can be used to heal many kinds
of wounds (cuts, burns, insect bites), it is known to be an
anti-inflammatory for muscles and effective for topical dry skin and
excema.
Spanish thyme
Latin name: Thymus zygis
One
of the many species of thyme in Spain, this one is known locally as
'fine thyme', due to its small leaves and (white) flowers.
Until
the 1960s-70s, this thyme was distilled in the Alpujarra region.
The essential oil of Thymus zygis has quite a sharp scent, has desinfectant and energising properties.
Lemon thyme
Latin name: Thymus baeticus
One
of numerous species of thyme in Spain, this lemon thyme has many
notes, with a distinct hint of lemon.
The
flowering period is during the month of May.
This thyme has
bluish-green leaves and large terminal flower heads.
The essential oil of Thymus baeticus is recommended to alleviate coughs.
Royal thyme
Latin name: Thymus membranaceus
This
species of thyme is one of the less common in Spain.
The
flowers, which appear in May, are ostentatious, forming a head of
white diamond-shaped membranes, each enclosing a small white tubular
flower.
The scent of the essential oil of Thymus membranaceus has a distinct note of menthol. Its properties include: expectorant, energising, soothing for coughs.
Spanish sage
Latin name: Salvia lavandulifolia
A relatively uncommon plant in the Alpujarra region, this sage grows on basic soil, often together with wooly lavender.
It has small greyish leaves and flowers in June.
Its scent is milder than that of the common sage (Salvia officinalis).
The essential oil of Salvia lavandulifolia has many uses, for example for skin and respiratory problems and for relieving muscle aches.
Savory
Latin name: Satureja obovata
This
savory flowers in Autumn and has small pink flowers.
Here, in the Alpujarra, it is used as a condiment for olives.
The
essential oil of Satureja obovata
has a relatively mild scent.
It is energising and aids digestion.
Red Eucalyptus
Latin name: Eucalyptus camaldulensis
Eucalyptus trees are originally from Australia and were planted in
Andalusia around the middle of the nineteenth century.
The
red eucalyptus is one of the most drought-tolerant species of
Eucalyptus and owes its name to its pale red leaf stalks.
This
essential oil is considered to have antiseptic properties and can be
used for lung problems.
It is a milder oil than the more well-known
E. globulus.
Aleppo Pine
Latin name: Pinus halepensis
The Aleppo pine is native to the region and has been used on a large scale in reforestation programmes in Sierra Nevada and Sierra de Gádor.
The essential oil of Pinus halepensis is desinfectant, energising, can be used to relieve respiratory problems and rheumatic complaints.
Santolina
Latin name: Santolina chamaecyparissus
The lavender cotton belongs to the Asteraceae family (Composite flowers).
It flowers in June and has brightly couloured yellow flowers in the shape of small spheres.
The essential oil of Santolina chamaecyparissus has a sweet scent pleasant for use in burners.
Its medicinal uses are vermifuge (kills intestinal worms) and emmenagogue (menstrual stimulant).
Cistus
Latin name: Cistus ladanifer
The gum rockrose owes part of its common and part of its Latin name to a sticky substance - labdanum - which covers its stalks.
It prefers acid soils and cleanings caused by forest fires.
Its yield in essential oil is very low and has some remarkable properties.
It is excellent for healing wounds and stopping bleeding, can be used against haemorrhoids and is an antiwrinkle agent.
