2. The Sensory Garden – Part One

Here is the sensory path, a collection of plants that emphasises the fragrant essences, the leathery or tomentose leaves, the wrinkled barks. You can also take your shoes off to appreciate the difference in the route’s coatings; earth, gravel, grass, lava stone wood, and at the end of the route, you can wash your feet at a fountain. The beginning of the route is marked by a small forest of coloured sticks, positioned among some typical Mediterranean shrubs, including the fragrant myrtle and cistus (rusedda), a typical plant of the Caltagirone forests, which flowers in spring. Immediately afterwards, you will pass through the rustling grasses – pennisetum, briza, stipa – which mark the gates of the sensory garden. This is followed, in succession, by patches of shrubs in various colours, first white, then yellow, and red. Enjoy the walk leisurely, taking the opportunity to touch the leaves and barks, and appreciate the different textures. Next to each plant, a label will tell you its name and special features. Take a break under the pergola among the medicinal and condiment plants arranged on the right. More than 70 per cent of the medicines available in pharmacies are produced more or less directly from active plant extracts. The discovery of new active ingredients continues to help fight old and new diseases. Small changes in the form and/or dosage of some species can, however, turn a medicinal plant into a toxic one. There are plants that act on the circulatory system, like garlic, others that affect the urinary system, such as horsetail or dandelion, and some that target the respiratory system, like eucalyptus. The use of plants for medicinal purposes is called phytotherapy. Plants can be used in different forms: infusions, decoctions, compresses, macerates… Depending on the part of the plant used, the effects will be different.

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