Plant Detective
Summary: Flora Delaterre, plant detective, investigates one medicinal plant per program, including recent science, traditional uses, efficacy, risks, and lore. Delaterre's investigations take her around the globe, from Sri Lanka to Siberia, from the Appalachian Mountains to the rainforests of the Northwest, from research laboratories to your backyard. A production of Montana Public Radio since 1996. Program duration: 1:29
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Medicinal, but used mainly in cooking. Keywords: Saffron, Cornwall, Crocus sativus, most expensive spice, stigma, blossom, phytomedicinal, antispasmodic, pain, stimulant, wounds, childbirth, menstruation, fever, depression, cancer, Spain, Iran
Food & medicine in N. America & China. Keywords: Cattail, tinder, Typha, stops bleeding, pollen, fluff, angina, circulation, brain & nerve tissue, indigenous, shoot, flowerhead, root, heart, sugar, snakebite, herb, medicinal plant, phytomedicinal
Antimicrobial, antifungal, good for skin problems. Keywords: Black walnut, Juglans nigra, laxative, parasites, tapeworm, eczema, psoriasis, hull, industrial abrasives, exfoliant, medicinal plant, phytomedicinal, herbs, bare ground
Key ingredient in absinthe, aids digestion & antiparasite. Keywords: Wormwood, Artemisia absinthium, sagebrush, vermouth, wermut, cocktails, phytomedicinal, bitter, sluggish digestion, low acid, anorexia, roundworm, pinworm, essential oil, toxic
Soothed the muscles of heros. Keywords: Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, CuChulainn, Ireland, weed, salicylates, aspirin, inflammation, rheumatism, reduces acid, easy on stomach, arthritis, soreness, digestion, joint problems, safe, soothes nausea
Good stress medicine. Keywords: Indian ginseng, Withania somnifera, Ashwaganda, root, leaf, berry, immunity, sleep, exhaustion, recovery, digestion, appetite, bitter, inflammation, anemia, male & female sexual potency, calming, strengthening
Anticancer uses and potential, but caution advised. Keywords: Chaparral, Larrea tridentate, U.S. Southwest, greasewood, creosotebush, indigenous, pain, digestion, toothache, NDGA, liver-toxic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pharmaceuticals, prostate
Gentle respiratory herb. Keywords: Elecampane, Inula helenium, yellow, root, lungs, bronchitis, cough, warming, expectorant, children, tonic, digestion, Helen of Troy, herbs, phytomedicinal, plants, medicine
Bitter Passover herb good for respiratory issues and digestion. Keywords: Horehound, Marrubium vulgaris, mint, hoarfrost, soothing, airways, sore throat, cold, bronchitis, pertussis, asthma, candy, herbs, phytomedicinal, plants, medicine
Painkiller with pivotal historic role. Keywords: Papaver somniferum, opium poppy, Hong Kong, diarrhea, narcotic, addiction, trade, China, Britain, Opium Wars, endorphins, enkephalins, medicinal plants
The source of heroin--invented by Bayer, makers of aspirin. Keywords: Opium, capsule, latex, Papaver somniferum, morphine substitute, addiction, medicine, illicit, India, Australia, Afghanistan, poppy, medicinal plants, phytomedicinal
Ancient, valuable source of important drugs. Keywords: Opium poppy, Papaver somniferum, crucifixion, Jesus Christ, pain relief, paregoric, diarrhea, codeine, cough, papaverine, spasm, apomorphine, emetic, morphine, hospital, ambulance, army, Civil War
Traditional medicine prematurely touted as a miracle. Keywords: Pau d'arco, Tabebuia, tree, South America, Lapacho, Trumpet Flower, wood, herbalism, inner bark, lapachol, cancer, HIV, side effects, whole plant, candida, flu, herpes, medicinal plant
Traditional Hawaiian medicinal not wholly supported by science--yet. Keywords: Morinda citrifolia, Noni, canoe plant, fresh juice, bruises, breaks, hypertension, immunomodulatory, antitumor, pulp, leaves, root-juice, fermented juice, preliminary studies
Analgesic with promise for cancer. Keywords: Birch, Betula, bark, fever, pain, inflammation, xylitol, dental health, northern North America, northern Europe, China, cancer, betulinic acid, tumor growth, melanoma, beer, medicinal plant, phytomedicinal