Today I would like to introduce you to the botanical wealth of the region. Here are three inspiring initiatives by enthusiasts who uncover the secrets of plants and awaken our senses with their “pleasure, relaxation and fitness” preparations.
The idea is not to replace the doctor or the pharmacist but rather to extend the tradition maintained in monasteries since the Middle Ages: the cultivation of "simple gardens" and the use of aromatic and medicinal plants.
In Grand Châtellerault, the Aven'Curieux meet around the essential things: breathing, eating, loving, sharing, taking care of oneself...
Ancestral knowledge
Larmignat Herbalist in Châtellerault
Five minutes from the old weapons factory, in the Châteauneuf district, a herbalist's shop has been operating since 1937!
After working in his father's pharmacy where he developed a Homeopathy department, Jean-François Cavallier bought Mr. Larmignat's shop in 1999.
The former pharmacist creates formulas to improve or maintain the good health of customers (sleep, circulation, pain, stress, etc.).
On the Wednesday afternoon of my visit, regulars come and go in the pretty wooden shop. Patient and efficient, the herbalist listens attentively to minor ailments and advises on natural remedies.
Supported by his team of five employees, Jean-François offers 300 medicinal plants in the form of herbal teas and powders in capsules, as well as essential oils, hydrosols (water from the distillation of a plant), teas, spices, vegetable oils, air fresheners and, more recently, a range of cosmetics based on mother-of-pearl.
The flowers of good
La Fervalière in Availles-en-Châtellerault
When I meet Gaëlle Audinet, she receives a call from her daughter named Rose. The scene is set!
Inspired by a father and husband who were farmers, after 10 years of reflection, the executive assistant finally allowed herself to live her dream: to become a producer and harvester of aromatic and medicinal plants.
In 2020, she trained at the Venours agricultural high school and in 2021 created her workshop from which escape scents of lavender, lemon balm, mint, sage, raspberry, rose, chives, calendula, etc.
All these fragrant treasures flourish on a plot of 3000 m² labeled High Environmental Value level 3 (zero treatment), on the edge of a wood where Gaëlle completes her wild picking. In her basket, she often brings back poppies, primroses and wild pansies, chestnuts, sweet pepper and cayenne pepper… An explosion of colors and scents!
After hand harvesting, the leaves, fruits and petals are placed in a dryer equipped with a dehumidifier or dehydrator, then packaged.
The Availlaise product range is wide:
• herbal teas simple or compound
• aromates crushed or in whole leaves (ah, the special fish mix: a hit!)
• powders fruit (delicious in yogurt or cake), rose petals (tasty on black radish carpaccio) or herbs
• syrups made from fresh plants (rose, poppy, mint, lemon balm, etc.),
• flavored salts with rosemary or lavender
• edible flowers (floral confetti)
Alongside her main activity but still on the theme of well-being, the farmer had the idea of creating dry hot water bottles with a friend who is an acupuncturist. It's a way for me to connect with my husband's work: the cushions are filled with wheat grains from the farm. »
On sale in two formats at the Hygiène Ô Naturel store in Châtellerault
New 2025 : in January La Fervalière inaugurated a small farm shop to distribute its preparations.
Open on Fridays from 14:30 p.m. to 18:30 p.m. and by appointment: [email protected]
Botanical passion
Flora & Selena in Leigné-les-Bois
After 20 years as a bank employee in Saint-Étienne, Nicolas Lachal decides to change his life.
Supported by his wife Helena for communication and distribution, the forty-year-old became a grower of aromatic and medicinal plants in Grand Châtellerault.
The brand Flora & Selena was born, with its name as a nod to the goddess of the moon and the deity who protects fruit trees and cereals.
The couple and their two children settled in 2023 in Leigné-les-Bois where Helena's grandparents were farmers. Nicolas took over 7000 m2 from the family farm to plant in October and harvest in summer. From March to June, in parallel with the harvest, it is necessary to weed to maintain the plots. The latter having not been cultivated for 20 years, the organic certification arrives quickly.
In the spring, Nicolas also practices wild picking thanks to the hedges which mark out the land.
Helena explains to me that after picking, 90% of the plants are immediately stored in the dryer for 2 to 4 days while 10% go fresh to the hydrodistiller to be transformed into hydrosolsIn this form, lemon balm, lavender, rose geranium, St. John's wort, mint, rosemary and even thyme can be used both in cooking and on the skin.
Dried plants are sold in the form of herbal teas simple or composed for a well-being ritual. Héléna recommends “ take the time to prepare them: immerse the plants in cold water, bring to the boil then turn off, cover with a lid to let infuse for 5 to 10 minutes before tasting. »
Another part of the dried plants (rose, marigold, lavender, daisy, helichrysum) is used to make oily macerates, to be used as a facial treatment after washing with a hydrosol.
Finally, Flore & Selena offers gourmets who like to eat healthily flavored salts, aromatic herbs, plant powders and flavored vinegars.
2-in-1 tip: As a mask, rosemary vinegar can make your hair shiny and help strengthen it.
Themes
