Further information about the programme
James doesn’t believe natural remedies are a replacement for conventional drugs, but they have been used traditionally to ease the symptoms of a range of minor self-limiting disorders. Many plant-based remedies are not clinically tested like conventional drugs because they are traditional recipes that companies cannot patent. If you want to give them a go, just make sure you follow a few common sense guidelines.
Before you try any of the remedies, make sure you get a proper diagnosis from your doctor. If you have any other existing condition or are taking medicines, or if you are pregnant or breast feeding, then you should take medical advice before using the remedies. You must make sure you follow the recipe closely as well as the advice on dosage, and do a 24-hour skin test to check you are not allergic.
You will find most of the plants James uses in your own back garden, your fridge or at your local garden centre, but some are found in the wild and could be confused with toxic plants. It is vital you know exactly what you are picking, so use a good plant reference book.
In the series, people who suffer from various everyday ailments try James’s remedies. These are illustrative examples and are not clinical trials. Their opinions are subjective and do not prove if the remedies are effective. Many factors can influence results and the remedies might work for some and not others.
This week’s recipes
Syrup of figs for constipation
Goji berry and chicken soup for colds and flu
Hops pillow for insomnia
Kiwi and papaya face mask
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My take on the show:
Well I thought this looked interesting and also promising and it really delivered on both counts. This is right up my street as they say. It just made me want to rush into the kitchen and start creating wonderful beauty products and remedies from plants! There really isn’t any reason why not, since I already have most of the equipment and ingredients (beeswax, glycerine, baking soda, cocoa butter etc and loads of essential oils are already here in my house) of course all I’m really missing are the plants since my garden (a poor excuse for a garden really) is a mess and has no flowers at all, just overgrown grass and overgrown hedges and many many overgrown weeds 🙁 Anyway I thought this was brilliant and I just adore James Wong, what a great guy and so into plants!
I’ve never liked payaya or pawpaw as we call it in Australia so yeah why not put it to good use on my face. Kiwis are great and I always remember the old Aussie ads saying that they had “more vitamin C than an orange” in them, so great idea plus they are such a great colour that they will look great in any product made from them.
OMG I love figs so much. I don’t suffer from constipation so I probably won’t make this but then again maybe I’ll make it anyway just in case. Didn’t realise figs would grow so well here, I thought it would need to be hotter, but then global warming is making everything a few degrees warmer right lol.
I have some goji berries in the cupboard, got them from the health food shop at a reasonable price. Remember when they first came out and they were outrageously expensive? Interesting that they will grow here, I might have to look into that.
Go James!
