Dear ones, I write from the mists of orange blossom and rose. These two friends have walked with me the strange pathways of my adult years, from my early days in Morocco as a young woman, to motherhood, and through many changes. Their medicines are of the heart, of ease and of a special feminine power and magic.
Continue reading “Lessons from Orange Blossom and Rose”Some favourite photos from my years of distillation so far…
Continue reading “Distillation Gallery”Description:
From the genus of fragrant herbs, and there are many types of it. With a fresh scent, it is found in gardens. It is formed of many creeping branches that spread widely across the soil. It has a white blossom and the leaves are similar to that of marjoram.
There are two main types: one with a small leaf, known to the people of Fes as clove herb, and one with a larger leaf, known as the barbaris herb. Its name in Farsi means that of royal scent, and it is known as the one that brings joy to the sad-hearted.
Continue reading “Lemon Balm: A Translation from the Garden of Blossoms”Description:
From the baql genus of perennial plants, known to the layman as the “stinger” and “Qurays”. There are two types: rough and smooth, and both with their aerial parts and seeds are used by doctors.
It appears on rough, untended wasteland, and the rough variety stings the skin of those who touch it.
Continue reading “Nettle: A Translation from the Garden of Blossoms”The Henna Souq has a determinable atmosphere, defined by the wind in the leaves of its two plane trees and the towering building of the 13th Century Maristan at its heart. Lining the small square are little shops, some of them no bigger than three metre square, of which around half are cosmetic herbalists. There is also the old weighing scales, which are still used today when large quantities of herbs are brought here by merchants. It is the home to Simohammed, a friend to many in the city, who operates one of the shops alongside his brother. Always inviting visitors to sit and drink tea with him, it easily becomes a rest-stop on a day of earnest wanderings up and down the hills of the medina. The chance you get to sit in the presence of the square is often enough to reveal just a hint of its magic.
Continue reading “On the Sacred Loci of the Henna Souq, Fes.”Essential Description: Belonging to the Kfūf family of plants, its leaf resembles that of potentilla reptins, grown in gardens and near water, and is divided into two types: masculine and feminine.
The masculine does not produce fruit, but the feminine does. They are known by the names Shahdānij and Shahdānī respectively (meaning Sultan of Love). It is soaked and macerated much like flax, to produce ropes and cloth. Known to the general population of the Maghreb as Qinab. It is grown in great quantities in the region of Meknes.
Continue reading “Cannabis Sativa: A Translation from the Garden of Blossoms”The thick red copper cauldron (sṭal – سطل) is rounded perfectly to the base, mottled with spots, it shows years of work, even though to me it is new. Its handles are also perfectly rotund, nailed to the sides with two handmade splints. An arm’s length in diameter, it sits plump on the stove. I fire it up.
Continue reading “The Red Cauldron”
My experience of seasonal living has been deepened immensely since living in Fes, and I never realised quite how revolutionary this would be to my body, heart and soul.
Continue reading “The Changing of the Seasons in Fes”Did you know, that at Cordoba, in the 9th century, the gardeners of Abd el-Rahman I built the first botanical garden on European soil?
Did you know, that it wasn’t until over 600 years later, that the same was attempted in Christian Europe?
Did you know, that the first tulip came to Europe via Turkey to Spain, 500 years before it was taken to Holland?
What if all the horticultural history of Europe you’ve read, was wrong?
Continue reading “On Andalusian Gardening: The Hidden Link in the Chain of Horticultural History”
This is another special recipe I learnt from my wonderful mother-in-law, which is super versatile and delicious with almost anything.
Continue reading “Recipe: Honeyed Pumpkin Jam”
The Atlas Apothecary Sourcebook 