James Wong is a respected ethnobotanist (a scientist who studies how people use plants) and is passionate that people should look at plants, not as a way to decorate a room or garden, but instead as a source of elixirs capable of helping prevent and cure a host of ailments from eczema to sore throats and even insomnia. With a popular book that was accompanied by a television show, his ideas are beginning to catch on.
Both Wong and indeed the World Health Organisation point out that modern day medicines are often derived from plants. Morphine based painkillers are derived from opium found in poppies, Aspirin originally came from sal acetic acid found in willow, meadowsweet and the shrub spirea, and the contraceptive pill began its life once extractions were made from the Mexican wild yam plant.
You don’t need to be very green fingered either, as many of the herbs and plants that work as useful medicines grown in poor environments with low levels of water. Cutting the herbs and plants back is important so as they do not take over the whole garden, so why not put the cuttings to use, instead of just throwing them away?
Another advantage of growing your own drugs is the cost factor. Peppermint tea, made from hot water and peppermint leaves is a far cheaper alternative to over the counter drugs designed to ease suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn. In the book you will find recipes for all common ailments, as well as body scrubs, deodorants, lip balms and you won’t need to go searching for unusual plants or seeds, most of the ingredients will be in your kitchen cupboard.
Have any of you read the book? Perhaps you are already a big fan of growing your own drugs and cook up concoctions at home to help prevent problems or cure sickness. Send in your comments below along with any tips you may have.
Both Wong and indeed the World Health Organisation point out that modern day medicines are often derived from plants. Morphine based painkillers are derived from opium found in poppies, Aspirin originally came from sal acetic acid found in willow, meadowsweet and the shrub spirea, and the contraceptive pill began its life once extractions were made from the Mexican wild yam plant.
You don’t need to be very green fingered either, as many of the herbs and plants that work as useful medicines grown in poor environments with low levels of water. Cutting the herbs and plants back is important so as they do not take over the whole garden, so why not put the cuttings to use, instead of just throwing them away?
Another advantage of growing your own drugs is the cost factor. Peppermint tea, made from hot water and peppermint leaves is a far cheaper alternative to over the counter drugs designed to ease suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, indigestion and heartburn. In the book you will find recipes for all common ailments, as well as body scrubs, deodorants, lip balms and you won’t need to go searching for unusual plants or seeds, most of the ingredients will be in your kitchen cupboard.
Have any of you read the book? Perhaps you are already a big fan of growing your own drugs and cook up concoctions at home to help prevent problems or cure sickness. Send in your comments below along with any tips you may have.
