Spabulous

I was attracted to this wildflower because of its distinctive shape and beauty.

From the Carrot family, she has nicknames:
“ Queen Anne Lace “ in Summer as it blooms as one flower made of thousands of tiny white flowers with a dark flower at it center ,
“Bird nest” in Autumn when it seed ripen, the inflorescence curls inward forms a birds nest shape and turns a brownish color.

A Wild Beauty standing tall in most of Lebanon mountains, I first harvested as an ornamental flower. Intuitively knew it had other use.
So I started to ask around and got many stories✨✨✨
• An ancestor used it as a medicinal herb to treat various ailments, including kidney stone, urinary tract disorders and dermatological problem.
• seeds have been used as a 'morning after' treatment to prevent pregnancy.
• In Ayurvedic medicine, it said to enhances stomach fire and heal digestion issue. indigestion
• Its hydrosol and essentiel oil are used to sooth skin irritation and to cleanse the digestive system.

Lemon Verbena is one of the few none native plant to region that I am growing in the garden and distilling.
I love it smell and taste, a key herb in my infusion as it balance well other plants such as sauge, rose, camomille, anis or cinnamon .
Infusion of Lemon Verbena universal renowned a” grandmother's remedies’  to aid digestion and to alleviate colds, and induce deep sleep.

Fresh, dry or as hydrosol I drink it all year long , preferably in the evening for it calming properties 🌿🥰💜

From the hundreds of varieties of Geraniums “Pelargonium Graveolens “ are the most used for the extraction of oil due to distinct scent of rose and citrus . Native from South Africa, today they grow all over the world) the production of essential oil comes mainly from China and Egypt).
On the Mediterranean coast the plant is present in most gardens and balconies, widely use a secret ingredient to enhance drinks, dessert and in the making of some of the local “mouneh”.

Geranium symbolize happiness, good health, and friendship. I always considered it as protective plant, used to bless space and keep intruders away and has countless propitiates to support beauty & wellbeing ; moisturizing and regenerative for the skin, a natural deodorizing action, a detoxifying & calming effect for the body…

KEY INFO
Pelargonium -Geranium “Qotra”
-Harvesting Optimal Time :Summer - Post flowering stage
- Particularly good for: Lifting and protective for the spirits -In diffuser space frangance & Insect repellent- Flavoring Dessert

‎ إبرة الراعي عطرة
‎أفضل وقت للقطف-
‎الصيف ما بعد مرحلة التزهير
‎دواعي الأستخدام-
‎رفع المعنويات , يوضع في المبخرة لتعطير الجو وطرد الحشرات , اضافة النكهة إلى الحلويات

*In the geranium family, a specie is native from the native wooded mountains in Lebanon, Syria, Palestine and Central turkey, Geranium libanoticum. This species tolerate cold, growing in winter, in the Spring it then sends up its shoots well above the leaves, and flowering with veined lilac blue flowers from march to June, . It then retreats below ground by mid summer.

Lavender is a very generous plant and one of the most rewarding one to distill💜🫧

First because of the powerful flowery smell that surrounds you during the whole process and then because of the large amount of essential oil it gives.

Lavender combines two unique qualities it purifies and soothes at the same time, which is useful in many situation.
-For the mind it helps relieve tension and headaches
-For the body it heals irritated skin and calm tense muscles
- For the spirit it promotes emotional balance and deep sleep.

Key Info

Lavender
-Harvesting Optimal Time : Summer Post flowering
-Particularly good for: Calming for irritated skin & minds
Relieve headaches

‎خزامى
‎: أفضل وقت للقطف-
‎الصيف
‎ما بعد التزهير

‎: دواعي الأستخدام-
‎ينقي ويهدئ البشرة
‎ يساعد في الإسترخاء الذهني العميق
‎مطهر ومضاد للبكتيريا

What is collectively called Zaatar in the levantine region refers to several species that are mainly hybrids from Origanum, Thymus and Thymbra. In Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Jordan over 20 herb species are referred as zaatar, all of which are commonly used in cooking as their smell and aromatic flavor have strong similarity.

When we ask me about its benefits and properties I always say “ Zaatar akwa dawa bi ardna”, meaning “Zaatar is the strongest Medecine from our land”. It’s been traditionally used as remedies for cold, flu and cough, respiratory problems, and a wide range of stomach and intestinal problems.

I also call it « our local tea tree oil » as it offers one of the most powerful essential oil to destroy microbes, due to the high presence of the active compound Thymol that act as a strong disinfectant . I recommend to apply its essential oil and hydrolat to treat skin fungal diseases, as a mouthrinse for problems with gums and candida and for the skin to treating acne .

KEY INFO

Zaatar- Origanum & Thymus
Harvesting Optimal Time : Summer Post flowering stage
Particularly good for : Treat throat, lungs intestinal infection - Flavoring Food

‎زعتر
‎أفضل وقت للقطف
‎الصيف
‎ما بعد مرحلة التزهير
‎دواعي الأستخدام
‎علاج التهاب الحلق والرئتين والأمعاء
‎اضافة النكهة إلى المأكولات

It botanical name Salvia comes from Latin “salvare’’, which means “to save’’, “to heal’’- A native type from the Mediterranean “Salvia fruticosa“ grow abundantly in Lebanon , we call it by different names; Qasa'in, Maramieh, Ouweisse or Ayzaran and have many stories about it sacred use and healing properties.

I discovered sage when I moved to Lebanon 11 years ago. Since it is a key supportive herb in my healing journey. From the cleansing and soothing effect when used in fumigation , to balancing and healing effect used when infused in water. I always keep some dry sage with me🌿🤍

KEY INFO

SAGE
-Harvesting Optimal Time : From mid summer to mid Autumn at the post-seed stage.
-Particularly good for : Remedy for mouth wounds, oral hygiene and sore throats- Support for women’s health- In fumigation to cleanse spaces

‎قصعين - مريمية - عويس- عيزقان

‎أفضل وقت للقطف-
‎من منتصف الصيف إلى منتصف الخريف
‎بعد مرحلة البذور

‎دواعي الأستخدام -
‎تساعد في توازن الهرمونات
‎تساعد على الهضم ويسكن آلام المعدة
‎مطهر ومضاد للأكسدة

Evergreen, super easy to cultivate and adaptable to different environment. Rosemary is at reach all year long and I always have one plant growing my balcony as it’s a herb i almost use daily in one of its forms; Fresh a key ingredient in the kitchen, dry a powerful incense in fumigation or distilled on internal and external use for it boosting properties for the mind and soothing for the body.

KEY INFO

🌿ROSEMARY
-Harvesting Optimal Time: End spring Beginning summer- Flowering stage
-Particularly good for : Soothing effect, particulary suitable for babies in cosmetic product and fragrance. Flavoring Dessert & Drinks

‎إكليل الجبل

‎أفضل وقت للقطف-
‎آخر الربيع - بداية الصيف
‎في مرحلة التزهير

‎دواعي الأستخدام-
‎تخفيف آلام العضلات
‎تحفيز الذاكرة والتركيز
‎يُبخّر لتطهير المساحات
‎اضافة النكهة إلى المأكولات

In my beauty routine the only constant is Rose Water Mist “ Ma’Wared” and from all roses my favorite is the Rosa damascena for it bewitching fragrance that addresses the soul and open the heart!

The distillation of Roses usually happens during the month of May and picking must be done at dawn when roses’ fragrance is at its finest and to preserve the maximum of oil and aroma.

KEY INFO
Rosa damascena 
An hybrid from the Rosaceae family
- Harvesting Optimal Time : May -Blossoming stage- Early morning
- Particularly good for : Emotional harmonizer- Sexual toner- Flavoring Dessert & Drinks

‎ورد الجوري

‎أفضل وقت للقطف:
‎ أيار
‎مرحلة تفتح الزهرة
‎في الصباح الباكر

‎:دواعي الأستخدام
‎تعزيز العواطف
‎محفز جنسي
‎إضافة النكهة إلى الحلويات والمشروبات

The distillation season opens with making Orange Blossom Water “Ma’zaher” from the flowers of bitter orange trees, flowering at the first signs of Spring on the coastal plains of the mediterranean.

To me this unique fragrance is mesmerizing, its an instant soother🥰
To calm the mind & body I use :
- A drop of essential oil behind my ear.
- A teaspoon of hydrolate in boiling water as the traditional Lebanses “ White Coffee”

KEY INFO:
Orange Blossom 
From "Busfeir" Bitter Orange Tree 
-Harvesting Optimal Time : March Blossoming stage
-Particularly good for: Soothing effect, suitable for babies in cosmetic product and fragrance- Flavoring Dessert & Drinks

‎زهر الليمون
‎من شجرة البو صفير المر
‎أفضل وقت للقطف :آذار 
‎مرحلة تفتح الزهرة

‎دواعي الأستخدام:تأثير مهدئ
‎ مناسب بشكل خاص للأطفال في مستحضرات التجميل والعطور.
‎إضافة النكهة إلى الحلويات والمشروبات

💕For the love of Roses💕
🪐Venus
💧element
♉️ sign
🧖🏻‍♀️ energy
🧝🏽‍♀️Divine Being: Aphrodite, Eros, Adonis
💚Chakra
💫Gratitude and Appreciation
✨Wisdom : Enhance female intuition, psychic work/dream work, protection, luck, beauty, confidence, sexuality, truth.

When the Roses of May transcend smell
🪐Venus
💧element
♉️ sign
🧖🏻‍♀️ energy
🧝🏽‍♀️Divine Being: Aphrodite, Eros, Adonis
💚Chakra
💫Gratitude and Appreciation
✨Wisdom : Enhance female intuition, psychic work/dream work, protection, luck, beauty, confidence, sexuality, truth