James Wong Returns to the BBC

Here at Baldwins we are thrilled to see James Wong back on our screens on the BBC with his second series of “Grow Your Own Drugs”. Because James Wong was a customer at Baldwins long before his TV programme was commissioned, he chose us as his main supplier for many of the ingredients used during his first series, and again during the current series that is now showing on BBC2.

We of course were delighted to oblige and were even more pleased to receive a recommendation by James in his first book that accompanied the original series back in 2009. James even came into our shop for a book signing! The staff here at Baldwins have once again enjoyed working closely with the production crew and are tuning in every week to see James in action with many of our products.

For those who are not familiar with either James Wong or the series, it is about how common plants, herbs and other natural ingredients often which are sitting in your kitchen cupboard already, can be used to create a number of natural drugs (or alternatives to drugs). The programme is inspiring and interesting and evidently a huge hit with viewers everywhere. No doubt we will see plenty more of James Wong on our screens over the next few years.

If you would like to know more about either James Wong or his recipes and ingredients, you can drop us a line here at Baldwins and talk to a member of staff. Have any of you tried the recipes of James Wong? Do you enjoy watching his show and find it as inspiring as we do? Send in your comments below.

Grow your own drugs

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.