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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- Artist: Montana Public Radio
Podcasts:
The "Cola" in Coca-Cola--a stimulant loved by desert peoples. Keywords: Kola, nut, seed, West Africa, soft drink, hunger, thirst, fatigue, cotelydon, chew, powder, migraine, herb, medicinal plant, phytomedicinal
The "Coca" in Coca-Cola; also an ancient anesthetic. Keywords: Bush, Erythroxylaceae, red berry, glossy leaf, chew, surgery, South America, cocaine, stimulant, Sherlock Holmes, recipe, decocainize, medicinal plant, herb
Relieves hunger, thirst, and fatigue; integral to Amazon culture. Keywords: Coca, Erythroxylaceae, chew, leaf, lime powder, seashells, cocaine, rituals, sacred, currency, ancient, herb, phytomedicinal, medicinal plants
Traditional stimulant, illegal in some countries. Keywords: Catha edulis, khat, qat, Middle East, East Africa, shrub, energy, mental acuity, Ramadan, leaf, chew, amphetamine, illegal, phytomedicinal, medicinal plant, herb
Contains more caffeine than any other plant. Keywords: Guarana, Paullinia cupana, herb, berry, Guarani, medicinal plant, diarrhea, hunger, fatigue, Antarctica, Brahma, soft drink, energy drink, Josta, Pepsi, juice, herb
A caffeine-containing holly loved in Argentina and neighboring countries. Keywords: Yerba mate, Ilex paraguariensis, mate, digestion, arthritis, headache, liver trouble, DNA repair, vitamins, antioxidant, medicinal plants
Fights obesity through less sugar, more flavor. Keywords: Vanilla, Vanilla planifolia, Madagascar, vine, Mexico, pollination, seedpod, digestion, fever, sedative, aphrodisiac, wood pulp, synthetic
Ubiquitous flavoring agents & gentle medicine. Keywords: Mentha, Spearmint, Peppermint, digestion, essential oil, cold, flu, gastrointestinal illness, herpes, West Nile virus, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, menthol, antispasmodic, bile, headache
Many traditional uses & stimulates melanin production. Keywords: Black pepper, Piper nigrum, peppercorns, berries, vine, medicine, currency, congestion, urinary disorders, melanin, digestion, phytomedicinal, vitiligo, antioxidant, skin, cancer
Antiseptic, stimulant, and insect repellant. Keywords: Basil, Ocimum basilicum, love, herbs, medicinal plants, eugenol, essential oil, geraniol, anethol, "semer le basilic"
The only major spice from the west, used in many folk remedies. Keywords: Allspice, Pimenta dioica, berries, Mayans, Caribbean, digestion, colic, herb, rheumatism, low energy, cramps, medicinal plants, eugenol, antiseptic, antifungal, mole, sausage
Antimicrobial & anesthetic, but clove cigarettes aren't good for you. Keywords: Clove, Syzygium aromaticum, Indonesia, kreteks, flowerbuds, evergreen tree, oil, dentistry, eugenol, toothache
Potentially helpful for Alzheimers and dementia. Keywords: Senility, memory, Rosemary, Rosemarinus officinalis, cooking, cognitive decline, neurotransmission, circulation, rosemarinic acid, antioxidant, pain, herbs, medicinal plants, phytomedicinal
So many helpful properties, it's an ingredient in Listerine. Keywords: Thyme, Thymis vulgaris, antimicrobial, antiviral, antispasmodic, courage, recuperation, digestion, pain, ulcer, thymol, upper respiratory infection, airways, lice, scabies
Effective, safe laxative in moderation. Keywords: Cascara sagrada, "Sacred bark," tree, herbs, constipation, medicinal plants, phytomedicinal, dependence, long-term use, colon cancer
