Grow Your Own Drugs – S01E03
BBC2 – 16 March 2009
1/3 – Trees
Ethnobotanist James Wong focuses on trees. His recipes for natural tree remedies include a soothing gel for varicose veins made from conkers, a fragrant cologne made from pine, a lotion to tackle head lice and a traditional tea which could help improve memory function. It is a fascinating mix of gardening, science and history, and the volunteers who try James’s remedies find out if they can actually help.
I didn’t think I would be so interested in this episode because, well hello, trees. But actually it was fascinating and I really shouldn’t say that because one of the best trees for treating problems is eucalyptus and I knew that, but still I was surprised by this show. I think I might want a ginkgo tree, had no idea they were so ancient – 225 million years they’ve been on the planet! Also interesting was their alternate name – the maidenhair tree – since they do look a lot like those maidenhair ferns that I just can’t keep alive no matter what I do. Maybe I’d do better with a tree. I really should take some kind of ginkgo supplement as my memory is terrible.
I also liked the pine cologne, I bet that smells great!
