In Argentina, Cécile, a Breton expatriate with a degree in herbalism, is developing expertise combining medicinal plants, therapy and agroforestry. She now draws inspiration from the “yuyeras,” women who practice plant medicine passed down from generation to generation. A story by Guillermo Barale
Story available to the press, on commission or through the photo library.Request a license
The story
31 images
In the Sierras de Córdoba, Cécile, a French herbalist based in Argentina, cultivates, harvests and processes medicinal plants. She develops a practice combining herbalism and agroforestry…
Sketchbook of Cécile. Her illustrations reflect her artistic training and her connection to the plant world. Her first work in Argentina consisted of teaching botanical watercolor classes . Carnet…
Cécile walks the wooded paths of her land daily to monitor the growth of her crops. Her tools are always within reach, allowing her to intervene immediately to prune, harvest or care for the plants…
Portrait of Cécile in her garden. . Portrait de Cecile dans son jardin
Cécile examines the soil of her garden. A balanced underground ecosystem is a sine qua non condition for cultivating high-quality medicinal plants. . Cécile scrute le sol de son jardin. Un…
Application of the agroforestry cut-and-drop technique. Using pruning shears, plant tips are cut and then left directly on the soil surface. This fresh green mulch enriches the soil, retains…
Cécile examines the soil of her garden. A balanced underground ecosystem is a sine qua non condition for cultivating high-quality medicinal plants. . Cécile scrute le sol de son jardin. Un…
Cécile examines the soil of her garden. A balanced underground ecosystem is a sine qua non condition for cultivating high-quality medicinal plants. . Cécile scrute le sol de son jardin. Un…
Application of the agroforestry cut-and-drop technique. Using pruning shears, plant tips are cut and then left directly on the soil surface. This fresh green mulch enriches the soil, retains…
In the Sierras de Córdoba, Cécile, a French herbalist based in Argentina, cultivates, harvests and processes medicinal plants. She develops a practice combining herbalism and agroforestry…
Cécile walks the wooded paths of her land daily to monitor the growth of her crops. Her tools are always within reach, allowing her to intervene immediately to prune, harvest or care for the plants…
In the Sierras de Córdoba, Cécile, a French herbalist based in Argentina, cultivates, harvests and processes medicinal plants. She develops a practice combining herbalism and agroforestry…
At the heart of the garden, this open space between aromatic and medicinal plants serves as a place of encounter and listening, where the herbalist receives visitors, linking the power of plants to…
Harvesting young nettle shoots (Urtica dioica) in the garden. They are commonly used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as for preparing nutrient-rich fermented macerations…
Harvesting young nettle shoots (Urtica dioica) in the garden. They are commonly used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as for preparing nutrient-rich fermented macerations…
Harvesting young nettle shoots (Urtica dioica) in the garden. They are commonly used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as for preparing nutrient-rich fermented macerations…
Harvesting young nettle shoots (Urtica dioica) in the garden. They are commonly used for their nutritional and medicinal properties, as well as for preparing nutrient-rich fermented macerations…
Tray of young seedlings in pots . Plateau de jeunes semis en godets
decorated wheelbarrow . brouette décoré
turmeric roots . racines de curcuma
Protective wrapping around a young trunk. . Enveloppe protectrice autour d'un jeune tronc
Cécile checks her elevated drying racks, where plants, herbs and mushrooms are hung to dry before being processed. . Cécile vérifie ses séchoirs en hauteur, où plantes, herbes et champignons sont…
Drying check. Cécile inspects the texture and level of dehydration of medicinal leaves spread out on a sieve. Drying away from direct sunlight helps preserve the plant’s active compounds and ensures…
Drying check. Cécile inspects the texture and level of dehydration of medicinal leaves spread out on a sieve. Drying away from direct sunlight helps preserve the plant’s active compounds and ensures…
Medicinal preparations and macerations . Préparations médicinales et macérations
Tools and laboratory equipment . Outils et le matériel de laboratoire
Storage of dried plants . Stockage des plantes séchées
Finished products intended for sale . Produits finis destinés à la vente
Cécile takes a break sharing mate, a traditional infusion widely consumed in Argentina. This daily ritual is part of a broader relationship with plants, combining medicinal use, social practice and…
In front of the house she is building herself with the help of friends, Cécile continues her eco-construction project, part of a broader approach focused on self-sufficiency and integration into the…