Lifestyle Channel's "Grow your own drugs"
What a refreshing show "Grow your own drugs" is. James Wong the host is a likeable young man who makes simple homemade remedies from plants. James is an Ethnobotanist trained at the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew.
Ethnobotany is the scientific study of how people use plants in different cultures.
James grew up in Malaysia where people used food and plants to treat themselves. His family garden was filled with flowers and plants grown for medicinal and food purposes, and he has fond memories of watching his grandmother grinding up plants and spices in a stone mortar and pestle to make remedies for different ailments.
In the six part series of “Grow your own drugs” James takes us through step by step how to make remedies for common ailments and pampering beauty treatments. Many of the remedies are cheap to make and can be prepared in five minutes at home. He believes that people should start making their own remedies in order to save money and feel healthier.
The plants he uses are easy to grow or source from the wild or at the local nursery; you may have quite a few already growing in your backyard.
While the show is UK based a lot of the herbs used on the show grow well here in Australia or are available in dried form.
Episode Guide
Episode 1 - 15th October 8.00pm
In this opening episode, James reveals that there is more to some fruit than just the nutritional value. He uses figs to relieve constipation, hops for a good night's sleep, turns kiwis and papayas into a soothing face mask and uses goji berries in a soup that could help feed a cold - and all from things that might be found in any fruit bowl.
James tries out his remedies on members of the public, with some surprising results.
You can find some of the Herbs James used in this episode here.
Find the recipies used on this episode on the Lifestyle Channel Website.
Episode 2 - 22nd October 8.00pm
In the second episode of this six-part series exploring plant-based natural remedies and beauty treatments, ethnobotanist James Wong turns the spotlight on flowers.
He reveals the historical use of marigolds, violas and elderflowers as ways to help relieve the symptoms of everyday ailments such as sore throats, acne and eczema. Sufferers of each of these, who are keen to find a natural solution to their health problems, try out James's remedies.
You can find some of the Herbs James used in this episode here.
Find the recipies used on this episode on the Lifestyle Channel Website.
Episode 3 - 29th October 8.00pm
Third episode of the six-part series exploring plant-based natural remedies and beauty treatments. 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 ginko leaf tea which could help improve memory function.
You can find some of the Herbs James used in this episode here.
Find the recipies used on this episode on the Lifestyle Channel Website.
Episode 4 - 5th November 8.00pm
Most people use herbs to give food a bit of extra taste and flavour, but in this episode, ethnobotanist James Wong explores their more traditional use in helping treat a range of minor everyday ailments, from cold sores and insect bites to bad breath. Sufferers try them out to see if these natural remedies help relieve their symptoms. James also uses peppermint to whip up a fragrant homemade body scrub.
You can find some of the Herbs James used in this episode here.Find the recipies used on this episode on the Lifestyle Channel Website.
Episode 5 - 12th November 8.00pm
Ethnobotanist James Wong shows viewers how to grow and transform common vegetables into treatments which might help ease muscle sprains and make a great addition to a low cholesterol diet. James also turns cucumbers into a soothing eye gel for sufferers to try.
Find the recipies used on this episode on the Lifestyle Channel Website.