#ticinomoments 2024

20 #ticinomoments
We spoke to Emanuela
Fiorito, a professional
herbalist who teaches at
the Alpine Institute.
What do you do at the
Alpine Institute?
I have a degree in herbal
sciences and health. I then
took a botany course to
specialise in herbalism and
herbal medicine using plants
from Ticino. I’m a scientific
assistant and teacher
at the Alpine Institute.
What’s your day like?
On the one hand I teach
local children, particularly
from the local primary
schools, who come to us
from October to May. In the
morning we work in the
laboratory, doing activities
that vary according to the
school’s chosen topic. In
the afternoon we go on an
outdoor botanical excursion.
We might look for
edible or medicinal plants,
or perhaps focus on identifying
the local flora.
There are also courses for
adults. We offer days focusing
on a specific subject
with a common thread, and
naturally laboratory courses.
It’s something special
for adults too. Putting on
a white coat and sitting
amidst the test tubes and
herbal preparations is exciting
for young and old alike.
The demand is growing all
the time.
Is it true that you make
soaps?
(Laughs) Definitely, and
much more besides. As far
as my courses are concerned,
we do group activities
linked to herbal medicines
and then there is the whole
herbalism area, where we
make syrups, and herbal cosmetics,
where participants
create ointments or creams.
So the teacher can choose
a specific topic?
Exactly. The package offered
by the Alpine Institute
comprises a range of
different topics. The teacher
takes a look at what is
01
available and picks a particular
subject. The topics
can include water, ecology,
cosmology, botany, etc.
As part of the topic, there is
an option to do a laboratory
activity and/or to go on an
excursion. All the packages
can be customised.
What about adults?
As well as choosing from
among our range of offers,
adults can also request
something specific from
us. Courses naturally start
if the group reaches 8 or
more participants. We’re
very flexible and try to
keep everyone happy as far
as possible. I’d also like to
emphasise that our courses
are available in languages
other than Italian: in German,
French, English and
Spanish.
What are the most commonly
requested activities?
Mostly the ones linked to
botany and herbal medicines.
This is partly because
the Alpine Institute developed
out of the Istituto di Fitofarmacologia.
The famous
Tisana Olivone was created
right here. People want
to know how to use herbs.
Many have herbs in their
garden, while others become
interested when they visit
meadows and contact us
when they hear about our
organisation.
Which alpine herbs do you
appreciate most in this
area?
Generally speaking, I really
love the family of aromatic
herbs. I particularly appreciate
mullein, a pre-alpine
plant that is great for the
airways. I also like wild
thyme with its amazing
scent. When I take groups
out, it’s always a plant I like
to focus on.
What effects is climate
change having on your
area?
Lots. Especially if you
consider that the active
substances in plants vary
according to the climate. A
root that was once harvested
in September because
the active substances were
at their peak may not be
ready in the same period in
the future. We need to re-evaluate
everything. We’re
still lucky in this pre-alpine
area at the moment, because
we have very extensive
biodiversity.
What do you appreciate
most about your job at the
Alpine Institute?
The variety. We never have
the same class. The groups
are always different. We
do what we enjoy, teaching
and sharing our passion
with others. What’s more,
having specialist colleagues
(from biologists to ecologists
and astronomers) means
you are constantly finding
out more about life sciences.
Practically speaking, you
arrive at work and continue
learning, sharing your
knowledge, teaching and
conveying.