Cisto

Of the many kinds of cistus, C salviaefolius, C albidus and C monspeliensis predominate in the Salento. The plants grow with great vitality in the southern macchia (maquis), and under them several species of Lactarius, locally called mucchiareddi. This collective dialect name certainly derives from their connection with the cistus.

If you turn to the little book called The Twelve Healers by the great physician Edward Bach, you will find Rock Rose as the rescue remedy – a specific against terror. We made the decoction in fresh spring water in a glass bowl (it should be crystal) in April when the flowers bloom. But it was only in August that we realised the connection between terror and the cistus: when the fire dragon serpents through the landscape, it devours the macchia and consumes the rock rose. Just as the venom of the snake is used as an antidote to snake-bite, so the plant in danger is the specific against fear, in this case of fire.