Herbarium

Villa Fontanalba

Villa Fontanalba and its floral decorations constitute a real herbarium, witness of pastor Bicknell’s botanical work, who recorded over 1,700 floral species from the Mediterranean Riviera to the summits of the “Vallée des Merveilles and Fontanalba”.
It’s among the wealth of this generous nature that active elements of plants have been selected for their ancestral benefits.

martagon lily

Martagon Lily

 

Pink speckled with purple, this symbolic flower of the Mercantour National Park which the extract of the bulb is known for its moisturizing and anti-oxidant properties was also a strong symbol for alchemists who had conferred to it the powers to bring love and gold.

 

lily

White Lily

 

Since antiquity, the lily is considered an excellent folk remedy, the white lily petals soaked with olive oil was used as a healing.
At the beginning of the 9th century it appears in the 89 medicinal plants Charlemagne imposed culture in the gardens of his palace.
Its flowers contain mucilage having a film-forming effect helping to soften and beautify the skin which such as the lily regains its youthful beauty.

cornflower

Cornflower

 

Real pleasure for the eyes, the cornflower is also its protector, it is used by local administration to appease the eye contour, brighten the look and refresh tired eyes.

 

rose

Rose

 

Symbol of beauty, the extract of this majestic flower obtained from the steam of freshly picked buttons has firming, astringent and soothing properties. It enlightens the skin and awakens its beauty.

 

mimosa

Mimosa

 

The extract obtained from the flowers of Mimosa is composed of many well-known antioxidant substances: tannins and flavonoids such as anthocyanidins, catechins, proanthocyanidins and gallic acid. It helps to slow aging by protecting skin cell structures.

rosemary

Rosemary

 

Cultivated since ancient times, rosemary was once believed to protect against evil spirits. Naturally growing on the hills of the Mediterranean region, it is rich in phenolic and essential oils giving it stimulating and tonic properties, including rosmarinic acid which is an excellent protector against the harmful effects of free radicals.

 

olive leaf

Olive Leaf

 

This typically Mediterranean tree is known for its fruit and for its dried leaves which extracted oil is very nourishing and has anti-oxidant properties due to flavonoids and tannins. It helps to detoxify and reduce damage caused by free radicals.

 

rhododendron

Rhododendron

 

Alpine rhododendron grows on the highest peaks of the Vallée de Merveilles and Fontanalba.
It is resistant to cold, drought, UV and adapts rapidly to changing environmental conditions of altitude. The cell extract of its leaves increases cellular regeneration of the skin and improve the skin’s barrier function, allowing it to better withstand external aggression.

blue iris

Blue Iris

 

Also called Iris of Florence, this perennial plant whose flowers extract contains pectin, mucilage and alpha hydroxy favors hydration and smoothness of the skin. It helps to enlighten the skin and protect it against free radicals.

 

mallow

Mallow

 

It is one of the four pectoral flowers that enjoy soothing properties. In the 19th century, in Italy, it was called “omnimorbia” meaning “cure for any disease.” Because of its richness in mucilage, the mallow is emollient and moisturizing. Anthocyanins have a vitamin P action, beneficial on the microcirculation. In addition, they have a softening activity on inflammation of the skin. The mallow is recommended for delicate skins, sensitive or irritated.

raspberry seed

Raspberry seed

 

Raspberry seed oil has softening and soothing properties. Its high content of essential fatty acids, linoleic and linolenic acids, give it moisturizing, regenerating and restructuring properties. They contribute to the integrity of the cell wall and contribute to the elasticity and beauty of the skin.

 

honey

Honey

 

The Greek physician Hippocrates, father of medicine, recommended the honey in his day to achieve longevity. This powerful ingredient naturally rich in sugars stimulates the immune system and has moisturizing, anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

royal jelly

Royal Jelly

 

Exclusively destinated to the queen bee, it is one of the richest natural ingredients in amino acids and vitamins, providing the essential nutrients for protection, growth and regeneration of tissues.

 

sweet almond oil

Sweet Almond

 

The almond tree is part of the Rosaceae family. Its light green fruit contains one or two seeds. The oil extracted from these seeds has recognized virtues from Egypt of the Pharaohs. Softening and soothing, it contains essential fatty acids giving it moisturizing, regenerating and restructuring properties.

apricot kernel

Apricot Kernel

 

Nourrissante et émolliente, Elle est recommandée pour l’hydratation des peaux sensibles et délicates. L’huile de noyaux d’abricot est très riche en acides gras insaturés ainsi qu’en vitamines A et E. Elle contient plus d’acides insaturés que toute autre huile végétale. Nourrissante et hydratante, elle assouplit la peau et la revitalise naturellement.