The artichoke has many benefits, amongst which is its therapeutic and health giving values. This is thanks to its saline and vitamin content: the artichoke contains calcium, phosphorous, iron, sodium, potassium, Vitamins A, B1, B2, C, PP, malic acid, citric acid, cynara, tannin and sugars. The artichoke is therefore a good tonic: it stimulates the liver, soothes coughs, helps to purify the blood, strengthens the heart, dissolves gallstones and detoxifies. A large variety of these salad vegetables are available; depending on the variety, you can use the leaves, the roots, the shoots or the heads. It is available on the market for most of the year. The different kinds of chicory: the cutting variety, the whole head variety and also Catalogna (green chicory with upright leaves) can be grown out in the fields from spring to late autumn. It is a good source of Vitamin A, calcium, potassium and iron. The bitter substances that can be found in chicory are good for the digestive system. They have detoxifying qualities, in that they help improve liver function, kidneys and the intestine. Consequently, regular consumption of the leaves and the roots of this vegetable (raw or cooked) can benefit health in general, and in particular, the appearance of the skin. During the colder seasons we have a large variety of citrus fruit. The daily consumption of these can help considerably in defending us from viruses and bacteria. Citrus fruits contain a large quantity of vitamin C that helps our immune system. During the autumn and the winter it is beneficial to get into the habit of making a snack every day of one or two oranges, or perhaps a grapefruit, two or 3 mandarins or clementines. Alternatively, you can make fresh fruit juice with the same quantity of fruit and drink it, freshly squeezed. Twice or three times the normal quantity of vitamin C (100 - 150g) is still easily obtained by eating more citrus fruit. PERFUMES FROM CITRUS FRUIT Eating citrus fruit every day will produce a sizeable quantity of skins that can be used. You will need citrus fruit skins and cloves. Insert the cloves into the outside part of the skin. You only need five or six cloves for a piece of skin about the size of the palm of your hand. Leave the skins to dry on a radiator, so that the skin loses all its humidity. This will take a day or two at the most. When the skins are hard, you will have perfumed petals that will give a delicate scent for quite some time. Asparagus can be picked from the end of March until June. Vitamins A and C can be found in asparagus and also vitamins from group B. Asparagus are rich in fibre and also have a guaranteed supply of potassium, iron, magnesium, manganese, and copper. Everybody, except for those that suffer from gallstones or kidney problems, can eat asparagus regularly. Two main types of strawberries are cultivated: the hybrid Fragaria x ananassa. Most of the large fruit belong to this category. The other is the Fragaria Vesca, also known as the wild strawberry, because it grows quite spontaneously in woods. The fruit itself is very small but it has a particularly fragrant perfume. The fruit is grown from May until June. There is some later production (summer) in Trentino. Protected cultivation guarantees availability of the strawberry from the beginning of March. The Verona area and other parts of South Italy give a harvest even in the autumn. They contain a good quantity of vitamins and mineral salts. They can also detoxify. They have diuretic properties and stimulate the kidneys. The apricot is a summer fruit with a delicious perfume. Many different varieties of apricots are grown in our regions that mature in different periods. The numerous varieties and the fact that it can be cultivated across a wide range of latitudes, means that it is available from May until July. The apricot has few calories and guarantees a good supply of minerals, in particular potassium. It is the fruit with the richest source of Vitamin A; a couple of hundred grams of apricots can easily meet an adult's daily needs of this vitamin. The apricot is also good for people who want to lose weight. It is not recommended for those who have problems metabolising sugar or with kidney stones.