Fragrant treasures from the Serbian mountains By Dragica & Milica Stankovic
- Aromatika Magazine
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Pg.- 44-50 - 6-minute read
I began our journey by planting immortelle (Helichrysum italicum) and, each year, added two to three new plants to our garden. We named our brand after immortelle because, in Spanish, it is called "siempreviva," meaning forever alive. Over time, our plantation grew to include lavender, lemon balm, mint, Roman chamomile, yarrow, sweet wormwood, St. John’s wort, and rose, among others. Today, we cultivate 36 different medicinal plants, each with its own unique properties and uses. Every plant we grow is carefully nurtured from seed, as we do not buy seedlings, ensuring that our connection to the plants is deep and hands-on.
Our plantation is nestled in the southeast of Serbia, under the “Dry Mountain” at 600 meters above sea level, where three surrounding mountains create winds that give our region a Mediterranean-like climate—perfect for medicinal herbs. Extracting essential oils from these plants is an intricate process that requires precise attention to time, temperature, and pressure. We use steam distillation in our 300-kg capacity unit, carefully controlling the heat from our wood-fired steam generator to release each plant’s volatile compounds. The distillation process produces both essential oils and hydrosols, and the quality of the oils depends on the method, plant type, and careful handling at every stage.
Over the years, we have learned through trial and error, from distilling lemon balm too late and getting low yields, to handling bees swarming over winter savory. We’ve experienced the magic of German chamomile and yarrow turning blue during distillation, and the challenges of cultivating rare plants like blue tansy and Cuban mint. Every step, from sowing seeds to harvesting and distilling, requires vigilance and dedication, including managing weeds by hand and ensuring proper storage of our wood for the steam generator. Despite the difficulties, we take pride in producing 100% natural and pure essential oils, knowing our work respects nature, supports sustainability, and continues to delight more and more customers each year.
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